Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-08-06
SAVED BY A coAcAMAN.
Mr. Smiths Narrow Escape From .
Mother-ln.Law's Vengeance.


MT. Smiths Narrow Escape From .
Mother-in-Law's Vengeance.
Mr.. Smith, recently-married man,
observed with foreboding of evil that
his mother-in-law, Mrs. Duzenbury,
had in her eye an ominous glare When
she looked at him there was q glitter
in her eye that filled him with appre-
tensions of the most dismal character.
His worst fears were realized when
she invited him into the parlor for the
purpose of having confidential talk
with him.
"Yes, Mr.. Smith," she began, in
solemn voice, quite mad ventently,
assure you, happened to-to-examine
your dress coat. and what do you sup
pose found on it2"'
One evening not long before this con-
versation, Mr.. Smith, under the pretext
OF attending an important meeting at the
lodge, had participated in stag party
at which there were oysters and cham
pagne, songs, hilarity, etc, so thinking
that his mother-in-law in some mystic
rious manner had got wind of the af-
fair, with guilty look on his face he
averted his eyes from her basilisk gaze.
| enbury, in a tone of voice that would
have done credit to judge on the bench
sentencing prisoner to death-''on
that coat Mr.. Smith. 1 discovered two
long, dark-red hair"
Feeling sure that the old lady was on
the wrong track, with a wild outburst
| of virtuous Indignation Smith replied,
scornfully:
well, Madame, what of it2 Do you
mean to insinute that L"
81 do not mean to insinuate at all, +"
replied Mrs Duzenbury; II have other
and more convincing proofs of your du-
! plicity. Perhaps you know something
about this letter." and she shook a
greasy looking document under his
nose.
''Where-where did you get that let
ter?" stammered Smith.
'In removing the hairs from your
coat, accidentally-quite accidentally,
l assure you-I felt this letter in the
breast pocket. 1 hope you don't sup
pose that 1 would stoop SO low as to
pry into other peoples affairs"
''Of course not; but don't know any
thing about that letter."
Then / will read it to you. While l
read please examine this garnet ring
which was in the pocket with the letter.
DEAREST HENRY-wat for me on the
corner this evenfn'. My husband is orful
Jealous, and keeps his eye on NEE. Thanks
| for them flours. Yours tell deth,
| LowIsA. "
81 swear / know nothing"
''Silence, ter-raitorl' and she raised
her hand impressively. Tomorrow
Clara, poor, wronged child, will return
with me to her proper home, from which
she has been wrenched by villain
just at this crisis the coachmen en-
tered, and broad grin of pleasure
| spread over his face as he saw the
| letter.
Excuse me, boss, but I have been
hunting everywhere. couldn't thin
where put it, he said, very much con-
fused.
Then suppose this ring belongs to
you, too" said Smith, holding up the
cheap piece of jewelry.
That's mine, too" grinned the coach
man.
'Is yonr Christian name Henry?''
asked Mrs Duzenbury, with a piercing
glance.
"Yes, num-
How did these evidences of guilt get
into my son-in-law's pocket
~ ought not to have done it. mum,
but borrowed Mr.. Smiths coat without
asking him, to attend little party given
by the Hired-Coachmen's Social Club
and lady"
"Silence, base mani" and she haught-
lily swept out of the room.
Smith ayers that even after this COM
plete vindication she still regarded him
with suspicion, and prolonged her visit
three weeks in order to watch him.
Alex. E. Sweet. in Texas Siftings.