Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-04-08
HIS FIRST WIFE.

maulsCn JdEeWdy was always pointed
out as ''self made man" and was ap-
parently well satisfied with his own
handiwork, fer content radiated from
his full face ard from his figure, which
had lost its youthful muscle under
creeping waves CT flesh. Mr. Janeway
had satisfied his ambitions as far as it
is possible for man to do it Fortu-
nateIy for his content these aspirations
were of the kind that are most often re.
allied. He had handsome wife and
three bright children; he was president
Of the state bank, an institution known
to he founded on the rcck of sound
finance; he had been mayor of Shewanee
and was a member Of the legislature.
So much Of earthly glory had fallen to
his share.
When he read the obituary CT another
self made man, he always nodded his
head sagely, as much as to say, 81 know
how it goes; I started with nothing
myself" In fact, Mr.. Janeway's cleo
tion to the Legislature came Of the ad-
niratiCn the electors had for q man of
the people. When his constituents hired
a band and went to congratulate him,
they found him ready with a speech.
He said: Fellow citizens, will rot
try to hide from you my deep gratifica-
tion at the result of the election. /
wanted to he elected. / have wanted
gcod many things, and I've generally
got them, but not without working. !
started with nothing; I did chores for
my keep; went to school when l could,
picked up q penny here and penny
there; I did any honest work that !
could find. And where am I now? Pres.
ident Of bank, ex-mayor and q men,
Der of the Legislature. l thank you,
friends, for your votes, yet feel that
have wen my own way; that I am one,
private perhaps, in the great army Of
self made men," He bowed and retired
amid loud applause. In another this
speech would have provoked criticism,
but one of the privileges of the self
made man is to praise his maker with
oft stint.
Mr.. and Mrs. Janeway had but just
come from a visit to their own house,
which their architect assured them was
in the purest style CT the Gothic renais-
sance. But they were sure, tooy which
seemed to them of far more Importance,
that it was the finest house in town and
quite eclipsed Mrs. Morgan's rcd brick
mansion.
They were to move into it at once,
and Mrs. Janeway went about the old
house planning what should be left be-
hind, as not coming up to the artistic
standard of the new place. Come here
minute, Madison" she called from
an obscure entry back of the dining
room.
Mr.. Janeway laid down his paper and
went to her, followed by Florry, their
youngest child. What is it. my dear?'
he asked.
Hadn't better pack this away-the
frames so shabby that it isn't fit for
the new house?" She pointed to faded
photograph hanging in dark corner.
It was the likeness of a plain woman,
with broad mouth and eyes widely
separated; the hair was parted and
drawn back from the forehead like two
curtains; watch chain picked out in
gilt encircled her neck, and her lips and
cheeks were touched by carmine, giving
the face CHASTITY pretense of life.
Mr.. Janeway stared at it meditative-
ly. II hadn't noticed it for a long
time," he said.
"Who is that lady, papa?' Florry
asked, looking at the picture as if she
saw it for the first time.
"Why, Florry, that was my first
wife" he answered, surprised that she
had not known it before.
"Was she my mamma too?'
"No nc" he replied hastily. "she
was Sarah Deering."
Wasn't she any relation to me?" the
child persisted. She was but s years
old, and the ramitcations Of kinship
were yet mystery to her.
''Of course not" her mother said
rather sharply. Your papa was married
to her when he was very young-long
before he lived here OF knew me. I
thought you had heard this before. -
She turned to her husband. Madison,
shall l lay this picture away"
Mr.. Janeway looked at her attentive
ly. Was it zeal or an artistic ensemble,
or was there lurking jealousy of the
woman who had como before? Pack it
away if you like" he said turning
away "It is shabby"
Long after his children and wife
were sleeping Mr.. Janeway sat smoking
and thinking complacently Of his sue
cess. He, Madison Janeway, had begun
with nothing, and at so he had won the
things he had longed for at 20 The
opening and closing of the door attract
ed his attention. He looked up.
A woman walked across the room-a
plain woman with All honest, ugly face
and short, thick figure.
"Who arc you?" Mr.. Janeway asked,
frowning at her intrusion.
Don't you know me, Maddy?" she
returned.
He was startled when she called him
Maddy--it was more than 30 years since
he had been called that. AAre-you-
are-you-but you can't be Sarah" he
stammered. ''She has been dead these
many years.
II am Sarah," she answered. "You
have changed, Maddy."
Yes-yes. We are apt to-" he re-
piled uneasily. "But you look just the
same." He said this to see if she would
account for her presence.
"The living can only see the dead as
they were in life, !" she returned. "You
sold the farm, didn't you?"
Mr.. Janeway felt as if reproaeh lay
in the observation. eyes, I sold the
L