Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-07-16
HIS JAPANESE WIFE.


leyites. They held different opinion.
"A very remarkable place is Brom-
ley" said one of its principal citizens,
accenting his remlrk with a vigorous
slap on his knee. 'Many of the most
remarkable men of our country have been
connected with Bromley" And he
looked tiercely at the person with whom
he was conversing, as if to challenge a
refutution. None came, either because
his listener was native to the place and
agreed with him, or, being an alien, did
not dare to disagree.
Bromley was most hospitable to the
stranger, and to unit kind aud devoted
to its neighbors in sickness or so row. If
everybody knew about everybody ese's
affairs, even in some cases better than the
individual himself, that was but incl
dental to the size of the place, ard had
its advantages as we'll a. its disadvan-
tages.
A broad main street led from the rail
road depot to the court house, crossed IN
front of that fine structure by another ut
right angles to it, which was also an i'm
portant thoroughfare. An interested
observer leaning against the iron fence
which enclosed the court house yard
might thus have an opportunity of see
ing and hearing great deal; for although
there were, of course, number of other
streets, these two were the chief, and
what could not be learned on either of
them was scarcely worth knowing.
The town was in gentle tw tier of
excitement, for it was to be visitt d, if
not temporarily inhabited by gentle
man who had held a distinguished official
position in Japan; how distinguished no
one could say. Unfortunately the sources
of information were less acces ,iblethan
usual, lnd consequently con lecture was
obliged to fill the gap He was ming
with retinue of servants; he was coming
alone; he was c,ming with his W fe; h
was very wealthy; he had disdained to
fill his pockets even at the expense Of a
foreign country. So went the conflicting
tumors.
One thing was certain: he was the
nephew of Mrs. Long, and was to be her
guest. Had he been the nephew of any
one save Mrs. Long, Bromley woald have
known more about him. But Mrs. Long
was no true Bromleyite She had come
there to live within few years; why
no one knew; was an invalid who seldom
went out, and was both exclusive and
secluded in her habits.
Bromley did not quite approve of her
ways, but had to accept her as she was
and as, when visible, she was very pleas.
ant, ard also gave literally to all chart
ties and matters Of general interest to the
place, shemade no enemies, if but few
i'' TfRhsaSldisabsalshsa .trsAser or ,tr,D.
gers arrived o. Saturday evening, stepped
into Mrs. Longs carriage, and were
rapidly driven to her house, where the
do II closed upon them, and all hopes of
any further knowledge of them for that
night. Nobody could testify positively
how many there were.
"Well, Moncure" said Mrs. Long, as
fectionately, stepping forward, wrapped
up in shawls, Il an glad to see you.
And this is the bride" And she bent
forward and kissed her new niece.
Later, as they sat at the tea table,
spread with the choicest viands and
adorned with the most elegant old silver
and cut G ASS, her nephew asked her how
she came to settle in Bromley. Though
1t seems to be a pretty enough pla G to
justify it without any other reason" he
added, "as far as neighboring scenery
goes"
She gave a little amused laugh.
'Therc isn't soul in Bromley that
would not like to hear the answer to that
question. But I'm so wicked I've never
gratiitd them. came to be quiet, |
found the city was getting too noisy and
too full of people for me. The scenery
here is beautiful and the air | think re-
markably fine. The people are very
kind, or would b. ii 1 would let them.
They don't quite approve ofmc because
won't. But can't afford to be popu-
lar, s'nce 1 came for quiet" The nephew
laughed. ''lf your wife is not too tired,
and you will both go to church to-mor-
row, you will be bestowing a boon on the
community at large l know they are
all dying to see you. 1t is the first time
anything japanese has come within their
borders, fancy"
''Do you go to church yourself9" he
asked.
VERY rarely, though it is only across
the way. But am too much of an in
valid"
at is evident you want us to be popu-
lar, even if you are not, " he said, as they
rose from the table.
why not2 You are both too young
and healthy to require quiet and seclu-
sion, as do. Well Moncure. l suppo ,e
you will prefer a mat and wooden pill
low to sleep on"
Thanks, no. I did not 60 in for that
sort of thing even in Japan, but am still
quite capable of approaching an Ameri.
can bed, )" he said, as they parted for the
night.
Bromley was more than satisfied to sec
its two distinguished guests walk up the
church aisle the next morning, albeit they
were little late. A slightly built,
pleasant looking young man, with brown
hair and eyes, and small, dark, foreign
looking lady.
She was pronounced "stylish" in
q style not familiar in their latest
fashion books; but opinions were
divided as to whether she was pretty
AS Mrs. Long did not accompany theme
there was no opportunity after the service
for introductions, and they crossed tn,
street again unmolested save by curious
and interested glanees.
Young Brown, loinging at the doc,
for his usual five minutes chat with
pretty blue-eyed Sallie Smith, has what
he seems sudden inspiration. "Did
you know Professor Conrad married a
native Japanese lady" he says, quite
gravely.
mo! Really, did he' How delight
fulp
She is full Of enthusiasm and interest
as she looks at him with her round eyes.
accepting without question this interest