The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-08-03
story. You gentleman must hav,
often heard it sung
oh, what tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive
A cloud in the Honeymoon.

Three short, blissful months had
passed over the heads of Callithumpian
w. Magruler and his bride, and not a
cloud had dimmed the brightness of
their domestic sky. The angel of
peace lowered over their household its
full ten hours day, and the cri ket of
oannubial joy chirped contently about
their hearthstone the rest Of the time.
There was nothing the proud young
husband thought task if it gratifed
the slightest wish of his hearts idol or
brought smile to her lovely face.
Time and again he had risen in the
dead of the night to drive some low
spirited cat off the premises or to bathe
his head in rose ewater or diluted oarbo.
lie acid if the odor of the cigars smok-
ed in his down town office during the
the day was found to have fingered
about him.
The Fourth of July had come and
gone. With bloodshot eyes Callith-
umpian w. Magruder sat at breakfast
trying with unsteady hand to lift cup
of coffee to his lips.
Darling" said the young wife, OBJ
serving for the first time that her hus-
band appeared indisposed, "what is
the matter with youf Are you ill?'
"I-I'm rather rocky this morning,
Elfeda,' he responded, "but it will
pass. shall be alright again"
"Callithumpian," rejoincd the fe
with that tender anxiety that leads
woman-Heaven bless her-to minister
to sick man by trying to stuff him
with food, "won't you have some eggs
and larger piece of steak?'
"Elheda," was the reply as he put up
a trembling hand to ward off the prof
fered consolation, 81 shall have to tell
you what the trouble is. 1t will come
out sooner or later at the Coroner's in
quest. You slept well last night, of
course?'
Certainly"
"Overcome by the excitement of the
day aud the disturbed slumbers of the
night before your sleep was sound and
dreamless as that of a tired child.
You heard no noise down cellar 10 the
| middle OF the nlght!
81 did not, Callithumpian,' replied
Elfeda, turning pale will, apprehen-
sioD.
"Well, did. 1t aroused me from
restless and unquiet sleep, and, without
waking you, / dressed myself quietly,
seized heavy cane and stole softly
down stairs. ! found a man in the
cellar-do not start, Elieda. He was
a little, dried up, withered, insignifi-
cant sneak thief, not half so dangerous
as a setting hen. He was helpin Z
himself to your finest canned fruit. l
lifted the little ras sal out of the cellar
with the toe of my shoe"
81 am glad nothing worse happened,
my love. But why are you 30 un-
neryedi 1t is all over now"
"No, it is not all overl' exclaimed
the husband, as he looked off into va
cancy with a hollow-eyed despairing
gaze; "remorse is left!'
"Remorse?'
"Yes, bitter, gnawlng, agonizing
remorse! Listen! Before l kicked the
thief out l looked about for some
means of inflicting a punishment upon
him that he would remember and a
temptation from the Evil One came in
to my mind. On plate upon one of
the hanging shelves was something
you had prepared with your own
hands
'Yes, remember, it was pudding
l made my self. Why"
"Elheda," said the husband, hoarse.
ly, as he looked at her in stony de-
spair, 81 made him eat that pudding!'
|-ChicdgO Tribune.