Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-09-14
A GEM OF GOSSIP.

one morning. twas inc nour Inhb lnon
go to business, kissing their wives goodby
or parting with them coldly, glad Of tenn
porary relief from disagreeable home rule.
AS Mrs. Shandy passed the home of the
Traffords on the next square she heard
monologuo from tho side door which raw
ished her ears, She stopped quickly
enough, you may be sure, and caught
every word
This side entrance being inclosed by
high fence she could not see the speaker,
who was evidently in earnest, and not de-
llvering himself Of any honeycomb sweet
ness either.
You will have to go back to your
mother. You have been false and foolish,
and I've lost all respect for you. Persua-
sion and kindness have no influence with
you, and I'll not stand this state Of things
another day Be quiet. I've had the last
word want to hear. The sooner you go
now the better. When people can't live
together in peace, there's nothing to do
but part" and the door banged with a
violence that was still further proof of the
domestic tempest raging in that quarter.
Mrs. Shandy was wildly excited. Hor
marketing was hurriedly executed, and
again she passed the Trafford home this
tune walking on the opposite side of the
street to get better view Of the windows,
from which she might obtain a clew to the
tragedy, one act of which she had over
heard. She was rewarded. Mrs. Trafford
sat at window partially concealed by
curtains, but weeping-that was plain.
The angry words at the side door were eX-
planned. Mr.. Trafford and his wife had,
Of course, quarreled, and he had told her
to go back to her mother. Mrs. Shandy
could hardly wait to get to the house Of
her neighbor, Mrs. Allears.
Here she opened the jewel case and
handed out the gem Of gossip, saying how
she'd always thought there was something
wrong with the Traffords. But to
think" she said, "of people quarreling
right where they could be heard by pass
ersby! Strange some folks have no pru-
dence and self respect" In "a hours tho
town had the sensation, indeed knew all
the particulars of the tragic happening In
the Trafrord family.
The following day the house was closed
and stood enveloped in mournful silence
that was, of course, but the afternoon Of
love which had been dashed upon an I'M
friendly shore Many feet passed that
way out of curiosity, and many eyes stared
at the closed windows and unused door
ways Of once happy home. OF course
Mrs. Trafford, obeying her husbands
cruel command, had gone to her mother.
Mr.. Trafford it was learned, had gone to
stay with bachelor uncle, who resided in
the suburbs People who met Trafford
on the cars and at business wondered at
his cheerfulness, for certainly the parting
of husband and wife Is under any circum-
stances a sad finale to a happy covenant.
But they could understand his effort to
hide his sorrow and humiliation, and as
he made no mention Of 1t not friend
dared an allusion to his unhappiness-
Poor fellowl He little dreamed how he
was stared at and discussed. Fortunately
no children were involved in the unhappy
complication.
A month passed, and the talk about the
Traffords was dying out, when, 10 and be-
hold, their house was again opened and
occupied. Mrs. Trafford had returned,
and an who met her observed her radiant
jcheerfulness and joy. Reconciliation had
certainly taken place, for Mr.. Trafford
was coming and going as usual, kissing
his wife at the door when he left her, right
before any chance witness Of the amatorial
demonstration. How had all this come
about Mrs. Shandy, the first to tell of
the parting, was miserable not to be able
\to explain the present situation. She tried
aSl plans Of Interrogation and discovery
alpng with Mrs. Allears, but succeeded in
nohe, and the reunion did not yield her
half the pleasure the parting had.
Horace Trafford was good fellow, and
his friends were relieved and delighted to
hear that he had taken his wife back to
his heart and home. They could not re-
frain from going to his Office to congratu-
late him. He was dumfounded as one after
another approached him, all with the same
expressions AT first, thinking some joke
was being practiced on him, he laughed,
shook hands, pretending that he knew to
what they referred. Finally the thing as
sumed a mysterious and serious look, es-
pecially when his wife's name was men
toned, and to his old friend Tom Wright,
who came along with cordial expressions
OF sympathy and joy, he exclaimed:
II don't understand you, Tom! What
is all this talk about By Jove, what are
the fellows up to today They've evident
ly got some Joke on me which don't I'M
derstand. What does 1t all mean?"
Tom was now the astonished one.
Don't you really know, HoraceT he
asked
II don't indeed, Toni Something's up.
What is iti'
Then Tom Wright explained
"Ha, ha, hal" Trafford laughed by
Jove, Toni That beats ALL Whoever
started such a lief Why, upon my soul,
it's the very first I've heard of it."
Hasn't Mrs. Trafford been with her
mother o whole month";" Tom asked
Eyes, she has and went at my urgent
solicitation, just to get a little rest from
housekeeping
Tom now touched on the subject of the
quarrel overheard by Mrs. Shandy and
quickly reported, with the usual embel-
lishment which gossip adds to every spread
ing report. Again Trafford laughed, this
time uproariously.
by Jove, Tom, that's the richest
thing Of the season. Why, that was the
cook that morning at the side door, girl
we had imported from the rural districts,
expecting much comfort from securing her
services. We had done great deal for
her, but she had so mistreated and an
poyed my wife 1 took her in hand and
sent her home. Mrs. Trafford was nerv-
GUS and discouraged that morning and
had q good cry. Now she is home feeling
rested and happy, and am glad haven't
lost the dear little womanr'
I Mrs. Shandy was the only one who never
fOrpave the Traffords for NOT having mar