Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-25
SQUIRE RICHARDS, SEC Nd WIFE.

sWhat? No you don't say SO? Squire
Richards going to marry agin, and his
wife only dead three months Good
gracious mel"
"'Tis awful! You NAV well be aston
ished, Mrs. Wilkes, it is terrible TO think
of. Such deception! Why, at his wife's
funeral, one would think him actually
heart broken; and then the Grape on his
hat is half yard deep"
f'Ah, me, Mrs. Hanson, there is no de-
pendence to be putupOn 'pearances, the
world seems sinfuller and sinfuller every
day, and it can't be covered up with
silk"
Gas 1 said to my husband the other
day, says /: Simon, things are coming
to an awful pass! Everyt ody will git
into the state prison in two years at this
rate And says Simon, says he: 4 don't
doubt it, Mariah!"
"And you and Mr.. Wilkes were right,
perfectly right, perfectly right. 1t is
just so; and this dreadful conduct of the
squirrels has made me more conscious o.
the truth of it. Strange that sensible
man should behave so.''
eyes, it is wonderful! But how did it
git out so soon. The squire amt no
hand to tell things, you know"
She was taking tea with the Wilder
Towns; you know she is almost always a
visiting somewheres, though I wouldn't
mention it to a livin' person but you,
Mrs. Wilkes, and while they were at sup
per the squire rode by in a new buggy
goin' toward the depot. People don't
git new buggies for nothin, you know"
"No, that they don't Mrs. Hanson wild
derers especially"
''Well, he wasn't gone more than half
an hour, before back he came drivin'
upon the gallop; he didn't use to abuse
his horse when poor Mrs. Richards was
alive; and, 10, and behoId sittin' in the
new buggy with him, his arm actually
round her waist in the broad daylight,
was q little girlish-lovkin' woman in a
pink dress and silk bonnet! Only think
of i'll pink dress and green silk
bonnet, and his arm around her! It is
sbominablew
my gracious! Goodness! | want to
know!"
'Yea it is every word OF it as true as
our minister's discOurses, and Mr.. Samp-
well never exaggerates; he's fine man,
Mrs. Wilkes. And the Wilder Town and
Betty run up in the garret-they can see
Squire Richards house plain from the
widder's garrett winders-and the squire
drove up to the front door, as if the side
door wasn't good enough, and then he got
ont of the buggy and lifted the woman
onto the door stone! Took her right
into his arms in broad daylight and lifted
her on to the door stone!'
"My goodness! as if she couldn't git
out herself? It's indecent, now, amt it?"
"To be sure ii is, and he a middle aged
y lAr of q nj r
Sampwen ought to know it, so that he
could preach a sermon on the duties of
men 10 their families. Only think of
poor, dear, dead Mrs. Richards little
daughter, Eimetta, bein' ruled by step
mother hardly older than herself. 1t will
break the poor ohild's heart"
s'Wal," recommended Mrs. Wilkes, 81
ahink SIGH doiu's are awful. Gittin' mar
ried ag'ln afore his wife is cold! Now, !
'spose that's no excuse, for my Mary
Elizabeth or Julia Am would have been
glad to have gone. Mary Elizabeth is
great favorlte with little Elmetta, and
Mary Elizabeth is q grand hand at man
aging children"
''Yes, Mary Elizabeth is fine girl, Mrs.
Wilkes, but her health isn't hardly good
enough 10 take so much care as there
would be in Squire Richards family, with
all his company, but then Julia Ann could
have done il well enough. Julia Ann is
remarkable hand for children; can't
help learning them something all the
time she Is with them. Her example is
so beautiful, you know"
oval. for my part, think somebody
ought to 60 and talk To the squire about
it. Ii ain't right for us--sisters in the
ehurch-to let him go and ruin hisself
and darter marryin' nobody knows who.
He ought to be reasoned with"
Chats just what L think, Mrs. Wilkes,
and called over here on purpose to ask
you to go with me to the squirrels tomor-
row morning and talk with him about 1t
It's the best thing we can do"
"Iu go and be glad to. I hope I'm not
backward in doing my duty"
swell, l must be going; I've made along
call; tomorrow morning at O'Clock. It's
best TO go early. I'll call over for you.
DO come and see me, Mrs. Wilkes! You
know it's an age since you have been TO
our house."
"Dear me, Mrs, Hanson, | don't come
half as often as l want to, but I'm
ashamed to keep comiu' all the time. AS
l told my husband, Mr.. Wilkes, the other
day, says I, Simon, I'm actiIly afraid
shall wear my welcome out over to Mrs
Hanson's.' And sez he, says Simon, i
shouldn't wonder if you did, Mariahn"
Eight O'clock the following morning
found our friends, Mrs. Wilkes aud Mrs
Hanson, standing on Squire Richards
front door step (she side door was no.
good enough for the lady in pink and o.
course it was not suitable for ladies o.
their "callabre,' y awaiting to be admitted
frouzy headed Irish girl answered thei
ing.
SIS Squire Richards IMP" asked Mrs
Hanson.
''Ins to be sure he is; safe in bee
ma'am. Is is after seeing him that y
arefr
ayes, we called to see him on import
ant business" replied Mrs. Hanson, frig
idly.
"Sure, thin, I'll be after CALM him
though the ould jintleman's sound aslapt
for ] heard him snorin' but just mo-
shen 1 came forninst his bed room dool
Come in with yees," and Biddy ushere
the ladies into room where the break
fast table was standing in waiting for tn
family.
aHum!n said Mrs. Wilkes, looking sig
nifcantly at the table. "She can't be n
great shakes layin' abed till breakfast
time. Poor Mrs. Richards used to be q
IN season."
Just at this moment the squire entere