Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-21
MRS. CODDLEMAN'S OTHER FAIL
ING

Mr.. NdtthIaS COddieman was 4 broker
| In the city, and ike many other brokers
he was possessed of a small house anC
garden in one of the outlying suburban
towns to which he was wont to retire
when his days work was over He wa.
in short, a plain. every day merchant
about thirty years old, and by no means
lacking in manly beauty.
Mr. Matthias Coddleman certainly seem
ed to be matter-of-fact and good young
man, for he regularly attended to his bust
ness, and moreover, was the superinten-
dent of Sunday school in the town where
he lived. He was nevertheless possessed
of romance, and a very substantial ro-
nance it was, weighing. | should think
nearly 200 pounds; for Mr.. Matthias was
married
This is how it came about. Some two
years before the time at which | write he
had taken his summer outing at one OF
the popular seaside resorts. and there had
met Tor the first time the future Mr.. Cod
diemdn. Eta SayIes, as she was then, was
a Jump and pretty maiden. under charge OF
an old aunt, her father being dead, and
her mother and only sister in Europe.
Etta aunt Lad but one failing, and that
was the Patagonian savages. On learning
OF the deeply religious nature OF Mr.. Mat
thlas, this estlmable gentlewoman pounc-
ed upon him forthwith; and SO much was
she interested IN discussing plans for the
conversion of these heather that she never
precelved the conversion of Eta, as effected
by love and Mr.. Coddeman, until it was
too late. As Mrs. Sayles was great in
valid, and had gone to Europe for her
health, it seemed useless to wait for her
return. So after much letter-writing and
discussing, it was decided that the young
couple should be married and they We're
the next spring.
They had not been man and wife for
more than a year, and thus far nothing
had occurred to mar their tranquility.
Indeed, there was no reason why there
should, for Mrs Matthias believed Ler
husband to be perfection, and Mr.. Mat
thias returned the compliment. His
wife indeed almost merited that belief,
Tor she had but two failings; one failing
of eyesight, and the other a most inordi
nate jealous disposition. Of the first of
these two failings her husband was aware :;
of the second he knew nothing, because he
was such a thoroughly good young man
that even his jealous wife could find moth
ing to carp at.
The day of the 10th of July, 1865, was
noted for two things; the arrival of Mr..
Coddleman sister-in-law from Europe
and the arrival of the green-eyed monster,
jealousy, in the household.
Shortly before the time of which write.
Mrs. Sayles had died abroad, and her
daughter was now returning to live with
her married sister. The day i'll question
opened auspiciously enough, for. though
sultry, it was beautiful As Mr.. and Mrs.
Coddleman rode into town that morning.
he to his business and she to meet her
sister, no pair of turtledoves could have
been more devoted. Before the train had
proceeded far on its way. however, an acct
dent occurred to ruffie the composure of
Mrs. Matthias, and this was the loss of
her glasses.
ooh, Natl" she cried, when she had
discovered the fact, 81 have left my
glasses behind me at home; what shall
do? Why, | should not know my sister
without them, unless she was within three
feet Of me-"
well, my love, " replied he, ''it strikes
me that as you can t find her without them
and cant go back to get them, the best
thing will be for you to wait at the station
and let her find you.
His wife agreed with him in this, and so
the matter ended.
All through the heat of the day Mr..
Coddleman toied at his desk, stopping
occasionally to wonder how he should like
his sister-in-law whom he had never met
and whether she had yet found his wife.
When four o'clock came he arose from
his work and sought tbs railway station
with Joy.
All the trouble of that unfortunate after
noon arose from his extravaganza for as
he knew that the common car would be
both hot and crowded. he determined
to treat himself to the luxury of a draw
ing room seat.
Entering the first of the coaches he
found it full and passing through it, Sc
cured one of the two remaining chairs in
the forward car. He had scarcely settled
himself down when, just as the train
started, the porter showed a lady laden
with many bags and bundles, to the re-
malnlng seat. Just then The car gave a
lurch and before she could seat herself,
her baggage flew in every direction. As
the porter had meanwhile disappeared,
Matthias came to the rescue and collected
u6E SCATTERED DclOnglngS.
80 kind of you" she murmured, as
she sank back In her seat with sigh of
comfort.
Not at ALL" he replied, "but you
should have some one to assist YOU with
these bundles-they are too heavy for you
carry.
Il was exp citing some one to help
me, she returned, ''but was disappoint-
ed" After moment she continued, II
do not know this part of the country, and
II | would not be asking too much,
should be much obliged if you would but
give me some information about reaching
my destination.
He besitated to assure her that, far
from troubling him, he should esteem it a
greater honor to be of any service to her
and begged that she would tell him where
she was going.
why, to be sure" she replied, 'the
place is, isl declare | have forgotten the
name. But | have it on a card in my
pocketbook, which is in my little bi.g-no
not that one as he picked up a brown
travelling case" the one nearest you. All.
thanks Why!" she said, as she opened
it, 1.-The card is not here after all, [ must
have lost it; but ] can remember the name,
guess. Let me see, Bell, Bell, Bell
vile; that's it, think. Is there such a
place?"
Mr.. CoddIeman said there was, and told
her furthermore that she must change at
the next station, and that he himself
would put her on the other train.
Mr.. Coddleman was by nature retiring
tut the lonely position of the lady and her,
tr-Ilsr In him manfred him with +bo i'd,
that he must make him elf agreeable: in
which he succeeded so well that it seemed
but moment before the junction was