The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-01-30

him % . lamb for tho slaughter, ams
whore was the use OF further struggle?
IA few wnrds-nn appallingly brie
ceremony-and Major Teller was ii d
ried TO Miss Patiencei
Take tho market basket, my dear,
said tho sgannt bride, land stay-you'e
better carry the umbrella TOO. Wei
go right home. Old folks like you and
me don Z care for wedding tours, do weg''
The major looked piteously at his
better half and made no answer She,
however, waited for none, but drew aim
along with a quiet determination that
argued i'll for tho future.
tGive mo the key to the room, my
dear, said Mrs. Pettigrew Teller. ''I'd
better keep il in future.
The major handed over the key with
ont a word of remonstrance, and his eld-
erly wife opened the door.
"We'll slick up things a little - said
Mrs. Teller. bundling the majors be-
loved papers together and pitching his
box of cigars ont OF the window.
"But, Miss Patience
"Whatr"
"My dear wife, I meant
"Ah, yes. What were you about to
remark?">
MY cigars-I"-
"Oh, well, i don't like smoke-never
didl / wish you'd take all these coats
and things ont of the wardrobe. / want
it for dresses"
But where shall I keep them, Miss
Pa :
what did you say?"
"Mrs. Teller, / would remark"-
"Oh, under the bed or somewherel
You must have plenty of money. By the
way, suppose you give me the money to
keep now, my dear. I'll manage it a
great deal more economically than you
will be likely to"
"But''-
"Give me the money, l say"
Major Teller meekly put his hand
into his pocket and submissively hand
ed over the purse.
The major crept silently away, think
ing how, the last time he crossed that
threshold, he was a free man, and now:
''I'm married. unused Major Teller.
II 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 mar
ried to Patience Pettigrewr'
He walked disconsolately down the
street, both hands in his empty pockets
and his hat tipped recklessly down over
his eyes. .@
He stopped at the street corner, I'M
certain which way to 60. But as he
gazed the bright, steely glimmer Of the
river caught his eye.
"All right" muttered Sempronius
modify. "Ill go and drown myself.
It's a short way out of q long lane of
difficulty. Anything but going back to
Patience Pettigrew."
want a boat, sir?" demanded a stur-
dy man.
Eyes" said the major; "Iwant Cha
ron's boat to row me over the Styx."
Don't know him, sir, said the pug
zled boatman, ''but mines sound and
light and
The major waited to hear no more, |
but gave a blind downward jump.
Down, down with that peculiar SEN
sation of falling so familiar to rs all
down-down-until- h !
"Beg pardon, sir, but the church is
goin to be shut mp, and everybody's
gone. Hope you've had a good nap,
SCI 50 s .es 80
The sexton spoke satiricaIly, but in
his tones Major Teller recognized hope
and freedom. He started wildly to his
feet.
Major Teller satisfied the sexton with
a donation whose liberality astonished
that parsonage and went at once
to a hotel to engage rooms
I'm send for my things, +" he thought.
II won't 60 back to that house. I'm
married, and / don't mean to be
|
Discretion is the better part of yalor
and Miss Patience Pettigrew remains
Miss Patience Pettigrew still. But Ma
jor Teller goes to church very regularly
now!-Exchange.