New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-15

When Sam Barnes got over his blindness he'd
lest put his foot down a2in', N folks would stop
giggln there.
In the course OF the summer it was rumored
that Mr.. Barnes had moggidsed his house On
the very same gay, at baptist picnic, there ran
a whisper ali through tue company mat 3" Mis-
Barnes went 10 Ded Wy niShO Win her lace
tea up In raw Decistedk.
"Porternousc questioned the minister when
this news was told 10 NM Dut wnetner the
steak were pOrerh0Ise OF pebelan round was
never really ascertalled, OWING 10 the rsmlssness
OF the hired girl.
In tnose Jays Mrs Whiting returned. after
some fluctuations to her belief tndt alter all. Mrs
Barnes would lie Too inucn IOr her HUSBAND ana
he could never resume his sway again. Sam was
growing thin amt he had now lost his beatlnei
expression. When he went to meet n WIN his
VIE it was generally noticed That lie no longer
sat so close 10 her III the pew, and he did lot
look at her SO often; but her smile seemed Just
as sweet, and she was often bestowng tnat snlle
upon her husband.
" / guess things is kinder settlin' down over ter
Barnes S. said Dir. Whiting, bnt he never'll I've
the same man agin. Whose bugsys tnat?'
He stepped out from the BAGS door that he
might see more plainly dashins black horse and
gliGtering buggy which were stopping at his gate
Mrs. Whiting ran 10 the front entry anu peeped
out. She saw man aiIght from the buggy and
carefully hitch the horse to the post; lie was
smoking a very long, thick cigar. lie had on
yellow gloves, with broad bacN stitching Oh the
backs also tall SIX hat, glossy that II
seemed to radiate back light: also dovc-colored
trousers and a white wastcOat; across the
latter was draped good deal 81 chain which
held slides and dangling things known as charms.
lie was fat; he had long mnstache ana goaiee
so vlslbiy dyed as 10 appear to he ready - soil
anything with which his lace should come III
contact.
lie walked up the path to the front door and
knocked Mrs. Whiting lad Depn pceplng
through the side-lights, and she now opened the
door with unexpected promptness, 50 that she
received a Whit OF smoke directly IN her face
seized with n TT of coughing. Inc
stranger threw his cigar away and took Off his
hat with large flourish, which revealed bald
head.
By this time Mr.. Whiting had made bis way
round to the front Of his house and was standing
close 10 the stepstone, filled with curiosity but
determined not TO SPEAK first.
- Ny name is Pickett, Leander Pickett" said
the man, as If he were cOnierrn@ favor.
Mr. Whiting nodded. and Mrs. Whiting tried
desperately to stop coughing that she might hear
better.
:" was told went on the stranger in a way
perfectly in keeping with his trousers and his
chains ard bis gloves, that Mr.. Samuel Barnes
resided here. Re you him." looking at Mr..
Whiting, who said slowly:
No, amt him; N he don't reside here
From that minute. said Mrs. Waiting in
relating the incident aflerward. " from that
minute | knew something was up bout that
woman"
That woman meaning Mr. Barncs's second wife
Can you tell me where Mr.. Barnes does re-
side? p was the next question
81 can was the answer But before giving
the information Zenas thought he would ask
| question:
Il told you. Leander Pickett The two who
heard him say this were trying in vain - recall
when they had before heart that name.
Yes bat who be Won ," retOTteI Mr. Whiting.
" | am. said Mr. Pickett in MS large way Il
am Mr.. Samuel BarneS's wife's husband
Mr.. Whiting whistled lie looked AZ his help
meet. VINO actually gaSped as she returned his
glance.
Can't We come in ~ size inquired in a voice
which curiosity made cordial.
Now ieander Pickett was a man who would
rather talk about himself than do ANYTHING else.
He knew he was well worth talking about His
visit at the residence of Mr.. Barnes could wait.
lie accepted the invitation and wa; :, soon sitting
on the best hair-coth chair in the Whiting par
Tor. The chair creaked. but IT bore mp The
first thing Mr. Pickett told his companions was
that he was worth more than million dollars. and
that in two years more he should be worth double
that sum all out o! the Leading Star Nine. lie
had come back after his wife.
" He guessed them divorce papers didn't amount
10 much lie guessed he n Mr. Barnes could
arrange il. Charlotte always did ike 70 handle
money. He'd had some trouble with Charlotte,
hut he kind Of han<ered 10 1--WE her he handlin
Of some of that money. lie didn't reckon thered
be much difficulty. He considered that he conld
make it all straight with Mr. Barnes. Folks
want so partclder bout such things ont where
he guessed he'd take Charlotte back with him;
he guessed she'd GO
He was right in his surmi>es Charlotte did go:
On this particular day Mr.. Barnes was ahs'nt
until nightfall When he returned there was
only the hired girl in the house. She told him
that Mis- Barnes d gone oil 10 ride with
gentleman, n didn't say when she should come
back J., ~.
She did nor como back. The next day Mr.
Barnes received n letter signed Charlotte Flci-
| EFT" Tie letter explained that She. the wrlier.
had always felt computations about marrying
another man Willie her husband was still living;
| hut that her love for Mr.. Rarnes had overruei
her conscience Now. however. her conscience hai
become roo much for her and >bc could 90 against
il no LONGER She ohcyed the voice of duty and, ~
! the same time. the voice of leander tlckett
Mr. Barnes turned of his hired girl l!e ives
alone and does his own houSework - Wen a. rs
teamwork. He looks seventy IepPT h u,
"ain't SO sharp in bargain : he used 70 ne
and naturally they think he has soft min oil me
Mrs Whiting asserts that if twas soft mn,
| Of the heart she should have some hopes OF him.