The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-17

ne MAYOR looked plteously at his better
half and made no answer. She, however,
waited for none, but drew him along with
quiet determination that augured i'll for
the future
Give me the key to the room, my dear"
said Mrs. Pettigrew Teller. "Td better
keep it in future"
The major handed over the key without
aword Of remonstrance, and his elderly
wife opened the door
well slick up things a little" said
Mrs. Teller, bundling the majors beloved
papers together and pitching his box Of ci
gars out Of the window
"But, Miss Patience"--
"WhatY'
any dear wife, l mean!" ..
"Ah, yes. What were you about to re-
marki"
MY cigars-T"-
"oh, well. don't like smoke-nevcr
did,"
But what nre you doing with my slip.
pers?"
Trying 'em on-they fit me so nicely.
Guess I'll keep 'em, Sempronus. l wish
you'd take all these coats and things out
Of the warlrobe-I want for my dresses"
But where shall keep them, Miss
"What did you say'" .....-
"Mrs. Teller, l would remark"
"Oh, under the bed or somewherei Pink
soap, eh7-I prefer castile-cologne-G
man-cold creaml Who'd "a supposed you
were such dandy, Sempronius2 You
must have plenty of money. BY the way,
suppose you give me the money to keep
now, my dear! I'll manage it great deal
more economically than you'll be likely
to-"
"But"-
"Give me the money, I sayl''
Major Teller meekly put his hand into
his pocket and submissiyely handed over
the purse.
"Well, now, you'd better 20 about your
business" said the gentle bride, "and not
come home till teatime-I do abominate
men lounging around in the way forever,
and don't come back smelling of tobacco,
IL You know what is good for yourself,
Sempronius Teller"
The major crept silently away thinking
how, the last time he crossed that thresh-
old, he was a free man, and now
"Tm marriedp unused Major Teller. "I
couldn't help it. 1t wasn't my fault, but
here am, no money no cigars, no freedom
worse than any galley slave. Sixty years
old next month, and-married to Patience
Pettigrew"
He walked diseonsolately down the
street, both hands in his empty pockets
and his hat tipped recklessly down over
his eyes. A greater contrast could hardly
have been imagined than existed between
this slovenly, seedy, wretched looking man
and the trim, cheerful little Major Teller
Of six hours agol He caught heeting
glimpse of himself in mirror belonging
to some picture frame store as he sauntered
by-it startled even himself
II wouldn't have known myself" he
muttered gloomily. "Well-rm married
now-married to Patience Pettigrewn
He stopped at the street corner, uncer-
tain which way to 60. But as he gazed the
bright, steely glimpse of the river caught
his eye
"All right muttered Sempronius mood
lily. "Pll 20 and drown myself; it's short
way out OF a long lane of difficulty. Any
thing but going back to-Patience Petit
grewp'
He went down with long, determined
strides toward the shining, broad stream,
where the ships lay peacefully at anchor,
and the little beats shot hither and thither,
and the waves sparkled up like sheets of
diamonds. All these things Major Teller
saw without marking them, as he made
resolutely for the pier.
"Want boat, sirp demanded sturdy
man.
Yes" said the major; II want Charon's
boat, to row me over Styxw
Don't know him, sir" said the puzzled
boatman, but mines sound and light,
andn--
The major waited to hear no more, but
gave blind, downward jumpl
Down, down with that peculiar sensa-
tion of falling SO familiar to us all-down
--down-until-- #....
beg pardon, sir, but the church is going
to be shut up and everybody's gone. Hope
you have had good nap, STRIP
The sexton spoke satirically, but IN his
tones Major Teller recognized hope and
freedom. He started wildly to his feet.
Then am not married. after all, sex
tonf'
married, sirl Not unless you have been
married i'll your dreamsl"
THAT'S it, exactlyp calculated the ma
jor, jumping up; I've been asleep and
dreamingn
Major Teller satisfied the sexton with a
donation whose liberality astonished even
that parsonage, and went at once to the
- hotel TO engage rooms.
"Ill send for my things" he thought,
II won't 90 back to that house, lest Miss
Patience Pettiyrew should do something
desperate. I'm not married, and don't
mean to be marriedp'
The major was right Discretion is the
better part of valor-and Miss Patience
Pettigrew remains Miss Patience Petit.
grew still But Major Teller goes to
church very regularly now!-True Flag.