The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-04
A TALKATIVE WIFE.


faithful life partner and does all she can
to make his home one of peace and COM
fort
'EWhat's the matter, Joseph?'' she asked,
having removed her coat and bonnet and
taken a seat by the fire. They had Just
returned from an evening party. Whats
the matter?'' she repeated, drawing near
er the CRATE. you have been SO sober
and torpid all the way home"
"I'u tell you, Marian, - he replied, "but
don't be offended at what I'm about to
say. We're I to recite volume of small
talk I couldn't tell you how you have
wounded my feelings tonight
'Me-wounded your feelingsP" she ut
tered, looking at her husband in surprise.
"What do you mean?'
Don't you remember your remark
when was discussing bicycles with Mr..
Daniels?''
''No, I'm sure don't. What did I say?''
''Well, when said my wheel cost $50,
you interrupted me and said only $685.
''Was that so terrible, I'd like to know?'
his wife asked, not in the best humor, for,
like many others, she didn't like to dis
cuss her faults
1T was nothing terrible, - returned .Jo-
seph, ''but very annoying to me. When
said my wheel cost $50, meant it, for
that was its price, and your remark was
uncaIled for The moment you spoke
L
felt as though they regarded me a common
boaster.
''Then, again, during the evening you
corrected me when there was no occasion
to- It was when 1 was telling Mrs Dan
iels about my horse running away. said
he ran nearly mile before I could stop
him, but you instantly assured the COM
pany that it wasn't over half a mile
Indeed I cannot see anything so bad
about it, anyway" she answered. ''You
are forever accusing me of my faults. -
'Now, Marian, DEAR he said, drawing
his chair close to her and fondly caressing
her golden head, will you promise to
never again correct me in company and
wound my feelings as you have tOnight?'
Mrs. Hodges made no decided promise,
but she resolved to do the best she could,
and here the matter rested for the present.
One night two weeks later Mr. Hodges
gave a party at his own house. After sup
per the company gathered around the fire
to discuss the topics of the day.
The American Spanish war had just
ended, and, owing to its duration, the
country was in a deplorable condition and
business depression was great.
Hodges said one of the visitors, a
noted silk dealer named Edmunds, chow
does Thomas get along now?"
"Oh, fner returned Hodges. "He is
coming money now
and one whom she loved dearly.
"Glad of that" said Edmunds. 81
feared he would have trouble getting paid
for those goods he sent out west. -
mo, there's no fear of Jim Thomas
losing money" returned Hodges.
''Why, Joseph interrupted his wife,
'don't you remember he told US the other
night''-here Hodges cast a quick glance
ut his wife, but she would not notice it,
for she must correct her husbands mis-
take-''he said he feared he wouldn't get
his pay for the goods sent to Thurston &
Co., and, oh, dear, hope he won't lose all
that, for it would ruin himl''
''Oh, Marian, you don't understand this
matter, said her husband. Jim stands
all right with the western firm. -
''Well, I guess I know, - quickly retOrt-
ed his wife, for I heard him tell about
it, and if I was Jim I'd have no more to
do with such people.
Joseph Hodges could say no more. His
face showed his feelings as he cast mean
ing glances toward his wife.
About 10 O'Clock the following evening
as Mr.. and Mrs. Hodges were thinking of
retiring the door opened and Jim Thomas
entered.
"For heavens sake, Jim, what's the
matter?'' cried Mrs. Hodges, perceiving
his deathlike countenance.
Il am ruined, " he said; eyes, a ruined
man."
is it that western frm?' asked Marian.
"No," he said sadly, but the people
here have come down on me. -
DO you mean all is lost, Jim," re-
turned Joseph.
Eyes, everything" he replied heart
brokenly.
Somehow Edmunds has discovered
that feared the western firm, and, owing
him a large sum, he has demanded it i'm
mediately Just another month and all
would be safe, but it's too late now. He
has placed an officer over my goods
Marian sat pale and trembling. She
plainly saw what she had done, but, alas
too late to recall those few hasty words.
Looking ZIP into her brothers. face, she
uttered in o feeble voice: "Oh, Jim, am
the cause Cf all this, but don't blame me
now 1t is the result of my foolish habit
of correcting my husband before Others. "
Mrs. Hodges slept little that night and
arose next morning with an aching heart
and head. Her husband clasped her to
his bosom and forgave her, as also did her
brother.
This eased her somewhat, but she saw
her brother drop from his high position
all through her fault.
After time Thurston & Co. paid their
note, and Thomas was able to cancel his
debts. He went into partnership with
Joseph Hodges, and both carried on a
profitable business.
But Marian never forgot her terrible
lesson. Never after this did she interrupt
her husband in company with needless
corrections. Margaret Joyce in Boston
Post.
New Version.
A friend of mine is so fortunate as to be
l. II