St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-02-01
HER ROMANCE.

N. 7. Sun.
HER ROMANCE.
An AFFAIR Which Didn't Turn Out ae
tho Neighbors Expected
She was carpet-weaver who lived IN
. flourishing Indiana town. For years
she had been . widow, yet she was not
yet what is called ''middle-aged," and
was good looking and intelligent Pa
tiently and cheerfully she sat at her
loom day after day, until at last she was
able to buy . snug little cottage, with
vines clambering about the latticed
porch and = pretty green yard in 'front.'
She moved in and fitted up the house
tastefully, inside and out Carpet OF
her own weaving covered the floors. and
every aid to comfort and beauty which
her modest purse could buy was added.
It WAS . sweet and hOme-like place, the
neighbors said, and one and all liked to
look At it as they passed and nod to the
pleasant-faced widow as she sat ON her
porch on a summer evening after the
days weaving was done.
Ever since she had been . carpet
weaver "Jolly Johns" express wagon
had delivered her goods. Jolly John"
was old, blum, lame and ill-tempered,
Interestingly honest; and 50 the widow
bore patiently with his disObliging ways
and uncivil manners, because she was
sure that after much growing and blus-
tering he would do what he undertook
to do exactly right. Sarcasm had fast
ened his nickname to him, because he
and jollity were total strangers.
One day when the carpet-weaver sent
for Jolly Johns wagon it arrived with
out Jolly John. The figure that sat on
the drivers seat was very unlike Jolly
Johns. Straight, strong and handsome.
this man adorned the situation, and he
had . tongue which, like that OF Rich
ard ILL.,, could wheedle with the devil. :"
This and his graceful manners made .
favorable impression on the widow at
once. He was . skillful dog, too. and
managed to combine gallantry and busi-
ness SO we'll that after he was gone the
carpet-weaver mentally named him
Handsome Henry" IS she read the
brand new business card he had given
her while he explained that he had
bought out jolly Johns business, root
and branch.
Handsome Henry proved As capable in
business IS he was fascinating in man
ner. 1t was no time until the widow be-
gan to look for his coming with . new
light in her eye; and always after he
drove away = rosy flush dyed her cheeks.
Soon the neighbors remarked that she
rarely sat alone on the porch now. The
good-looking expressman was almost al
ways with her after the work of the day
was over: and his face was IS bright
and sunny as hers.
In . little while he begged her TO
marry him and make him happy and
she consented.
And SO they were married and got on
beautifully together. The neighbors
often spoke of the harmony Of the ex-
pressman's household. Here are . hus-
band and wife who really love each
other" they said. Nevertheless they
probed the situation for weak places, as
neighbors will, and discovered . differ
ence in the degree of the love of ''Hand-
some Henry" and his wife. They said
the woman's love was stronger, and that
the man knew it and would trade upon
it and finally get the upper hand Of her.
1t was true that she loved him over
much. For years her life had been bit
terly lonely and destitute of the sweet
ness of affection. This made her CRATE
full and glad for her present blessings
oil the time. She never looked 1t her
new husband without . smile of salts
faction. At times she even marveled 1t
her happiness and wondered humbly
why she ha6 been so blessed when many
other women were left uncomfortable
and alone.
All went we'll with the married lovers
tor time. But the wife fell ill-very
i'll. Then the husband spoke plainly of
what he had often limited At before
having his wife's property put in his
name. (The neighbors always said he
had had his eye on the house when he
married herr
s.No." she said. 81 will keep it in my
own n8mc-k nave eArueO IT, out you
shall share it with me IS long as we both
live"
That did not suit him. He wanted it
made his unmistakably. in case any
thing should happen"
s.If you mean in case / should die"
she said, lit is unnecessary. Ishall not
die"
He insisted. but she was drm. Then
he threatened her. II she could not do
him that little kindness he would leave
her. Yes, that he would.
She loved him devoutedly, and this
threat So cruel and unprovoked. wounded
and terrified her. And she was 30 i'll
that she had not her usual courage. She
wept, entreated and begged him not to
leaye-not while she was i'll at least
Seeing that he had struck the weak
string In her heart, the coward played
spes u Thsss Va but - tssae ~