Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-04-26
HENRY'S WIVES.

4:10, having made up my mind to dine
On the train, and had to wait for the
$50. / was not in the very sweetest of
moods, as 1 had an appointment in Lon
Ion at O'Clock and had to wire and
postpone it.
When took my seat in the $50, the
rnly other occupant was a sedate, cler-
ical looking individual, but at Edge Hill
third person entered the compartment,
evidently an American, or, to speak cor
rectly, citizen of the United States.
He was of a loquacious disposition and
rather disturbed me by his repeated re-
marks, ultimately addressed to me, as
the sedate individual steadily and firm
" repealed his endeavors to draw him
into conversation. | tried to choke him
off, but he would not be denied, SO 1
closed my paper and answered his nu-
merous questions.
Eventually we entered upon a discus
sion, embracing variety of topics.
which at length resolved itself into a
disquisition upon the social differences
between the American and English peo-
pie, especially from a matrimonial
point of view. I laughingly quoted the
Brigham Young difficulty. He took the
matter up warmly and quoted Henry
VIII and his seven" wives.
Excuse me, SIR, I said. "He was
bad enough, but he only INDUCED in six
wives, and then only one at time, and
that with the utmost difficulty
''Sevenp'
'tNo, only six.
you'll excuse me, sir. was at the
0f or HoruorH in, hi
tory, and we Americans take a little
more interest in European history than
you Britishers do in American history,
and I'm positive that Henry VIII had
seven!'
81 assure you, sir, replied, she
had only six, and if you like I will
name them. Catherine of Aragon, Anne
Boleyn''-
ST don't care red cent! You can
name them if you like, but I'll back
my memory any day. l say Henry VIII
had seven wives. Look herel You
Britishers are supposed to be sporting
fellows, and I'll bet you what you like
I am right.
ST beg your pardon, sir! don't want
to take your money. I assure you am
right Any schoolboy will tell you the
same
CT don't care dump for any school
boy, or for you either, for the matter of
that tell you I am right!'
This remark rather nettled me, and
made up ny mind would give the gen
tleman lesson.
''Will you bet?'' he asked. "I'1l lay
you what you like. I'll put my whole
pile on my memory, and this gentleman
here pointing to the sedate passenger
in the corner, "shall hold the stakes. -
81 beg your PARDON he interposed.
"You really must excuse me. 1t is
against my principle to take part in any
gambling transaction.
''This amt a gambling transaction.
I merely back my memory against this
gentleman's s. Shall we say for f1ver?'
/ nodded assent, for the fellow an
noyed me, and was determined to pay
him out.
''Here,'' he continued, ''you take this
Go note if he will give you another, and
whichever of us is right will collar the
two
81 beg your pardon, - remarked the
sedate gentleman. 81 would rather
not.''
well, SIT, i SdIQ " bI0 aIuGIlCdu,
eff you insist, Ee it so. I trust, SIR
said, turning to the gentleman in the
corner, ''you will favor US by holding
the stakes?''
every well,'' he replied, with an
amused smile. eff you wish it, I will
do so''
Fright you are" said the American
and handed him over e5 note. [ took
one from my case and handed it to him
also.
''Now, sir, who is to decide?' asked.
"Well, gentlemen said the stake
holder, Il think L can settle the matter,
as, curiously enough, happen to have
an English history in my valise. / am a
schoolmaster, and it happens to be my
particular branch of education. In fact,
myself could settle the point at once. -
''No, no. cried the American. 81
must see it in print.
VERY good, very good" answered
the schoolmaster as he opened his valise
and took from il we'll thumbed Eng
lish history, and turning to the page
recording the events of Henry Wits
reign he gave the decision in my favor.
The Americans face dropped, and I
smiled
Nov, sir, perhaps you will not be
so positive in the future remarked
By this time the train stopped at
Rugby, and my two companions pre-
pared to leave. well, gentlemen, as
have won, will you come and have
bottle with me?'' asked.
''No, thank you. I don't drink" re-
piled the sedate one.
Il am not thirsty" CURLY answered
She American, and they both disappear
cd.
1 did not care to have one myself, so