Evening journal., 1898-01-05
SHE MORE THAN GOT EVEN.

GEO llONs BJl lfiEfNE ID MI H.
ING PUT IN THEM TO LULL YOU
SHE MORE THAN GOT EVEN.
Living on Franklin street there is a
young couple. The husband is a prac-
tical joker, and whenever he gets the
opportunity he does not fail to make
his wife the victim Of his jokes
Recently he thought II would be a
good thing TO disguise himself as a
book agent, visit his own home I'm the
evening and see how well hiswife could
Withstand the opportunities Of ven
der of literature He cOnfded his pur-
pose to friend and made arrangements
TO go to his house to put on the dis
guise. II was such a good joke that
this friend told II to his wife, after
pledging her to utter secrecy II
struck the wife OF the friend OF the
joker as such a glorious thing that she
forgot all about her promise of secrecy
and slipped up to the home OF the
joker and told his wife all about it.
I'll teach him a lesson" said the
young wife grimly but don't you
for the world let on that / have even
the slightest inkling Of what is going
TO transpre."
What do you propose to do2" asked
her informant
'Il tell you that after have done
IT, was the response. and there was a
terrible menace in her tones.
The joker went TO a cOstumer's, hired
a wig and set of whiskcrs and eye
brows. Then he borrowed a seedy-
looking black suit from a friend. From
another friend he borrowed Bulwer's
works, in nine volumes, and strapped
a.. I.a 10.
Then he went to the home of the friend
who had the communicative wife and
made his toilet When IL was COM
pleted his own mother would not have
known him. Laughing heartily he
started for home. Ascending the porch
steps he pulled the bell almost out OF
the socket. A genuine book agent could
not have done 1t in more professional
manner
Pretty soon he saw the gllmmer of a
light in the hallway and then heard
the patter OF his wife's fairy footsteps
in the vestibule. She opened the door
Good evening" he said in alter
ed tone Of voice.
Good evening, sir" she replied. do
you want to see my husband?"
mot particularly" he said 81 have
set of magnificent books here which
/ would like to show you, even II you
cannot see your way clear to buy
them"
II shall be delighted to look them
over, but can scarcely take them with
out my husbands consent" she said.
Hubby was chuckling beneath his
vest. but he controlled his features.
which had the further protection of the
beard
walk into the parlor, please" she
said.
She offered him the easiest chair in
the room and placed a stool for his
feet that he might enjoy all the COM
forts of home. Then, drawing her
chair close to his, she said; let me see
your books, II It Is not too much trou-
BILE"
'None at ALL madam" he said in a
brisk and business-like way as he un-
strapped the bundle and displayed the
cloth covers with a profusion of gilt
ON them.
"How beautiful" she exclaimed. AS
she did so, she edged her chair little
closer until her head almost touched
his. and he could feel her warm breath
tanning his whiskers Then sho be-
came bold enough to lay her head on
his shoulder and look up into his eyes
with a glance of ardent affection.
Great God! he thought, "can .nls
be my wife?'
Although boiling with Indignation
he controlled himself In order that he
might see to what lengths of perldy
she would go.
Let us forget the books for the
time being and think only Of our
selves" she murmured. DO you know
that you have possessed my heart fol
many months? Day after day l hav,
seen YOU passing the house. and Otter
have j longed for you to call when my
husband was down at the office, ant
when ] could lay my heart bare befor,
you AS for the books. they would %,
OF no earthly use in this house. Ny
husband Is a poor. illiterate man. whS
scarcely has a common school educa
tion. He has. a faculty for making
money and that is all. When he wa,
counting me | must have been be-
witched, for / thought he was all ii
all. but soon after I married him / dis
covered the grossness of his character
and learned to utterly despise hin
You seem to be shivering dear. lie
me close this door. for there appear
to be a strong draft from somewhere
Yes he is not fit companion for
woman OF refined taste, and sooner o
later / hope to get rid Of him. He Il
not very strong. His whole family ar
Consumptiye, and / trust that I shall
roc have 10 wait many years for ny
freedom. and then-oh. then darling
we can be 50 happy"
She threw her arms around his neci
ana pressed a passionate kiss upon hil
lips. Cold sweat was pouring from hi
forehead in big beads. Could this b.
the girl whom he had been trusting
Tor years? He doubted his very senses
and the thought Of the spectacle Of hi
dishonor which he was compelled Z,
passively witness almost drove hin
wild.
But you mSst leave now. darling
she said. for 1t is almost time for m.
husband TO come home and If he wcr
10 find YOU here there might be
scene. Come next Tuesday evening
for b is ht lodge nightandwo can hav
the whole evening TO ourselves. And
dear If YOU would like to correspOn'