New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-25
THE SIJRRENDER OF JOSHUA.

mischief 1t is the Old, old invitation o. inc
spider to the fly. How on earth couid Il '"''''
ordinary. inexperienced, guileloss. single man DE-
otherwise than clay in the hands OF Mrs fo''er
ORIGINALLY a Whelks she had married in the
FIRST Mace a Higson and in the second the ia'e'
not unduly lamented Potter.
The grass on the grave Of the latter having
nov begun to grow quite luxurianty, the rehct
considered that to remain a widow any iohsei
would be a sheer waste Of time and opportunity
Hence the card-six inches by four-with the
announcement referred to.
'"rhe rest" said Mrs Potter. Il leaves to
Providence"
And Providence, thus pous'y INVOKED re-
sponded with Joshua JebbinSs
Mrs. Potter summed him "n IN one wore
"Cincer" she commented cOmplacently. ana
never knowed a ginger man or boy WIN WHAT
you could call sperrit."
Indeed so satisfactory was the general outlooh
that she began picking the grape tucKs OH hei
best merino without further delay
"They did for Hgson, and they've done LOT
Potter and there's no knowing whether I've
seen the end Of 'em yet" she told herself. as she
folded them smoothly and laid them carefully
away in the bottom drawer.
During the first few weeks Joshua Jcbbngs
rubbed his hands and felt he was in clover
His new Iandlady did for him as he had never
been done" for before. When he came In iro"
work-he was a "wheclwrsht to ms traoe
there was his dinner ready to the minute. AS
soon as he opened the door the savory sne'' vi
onions or the cheerful sound Of sausages, or
some other dainty. frizznG in the fryins-pah'
salutcd him, whlie there was nearly always
lettuce fresh pulled fer his tea.
IF you wants to manage a man reasoned
II.
easy through his vittlcs."
lie WAS an unassuming individual was
Joshua and SO was conscious at times Of n
vague resentment that this was condition of
affairs too good to last. The amount Of elho"
grease and worstcd exp ndcd on his socks aion"
was such that he had to pause and admire the
effect OF the different colored darns Whenever he
took of his boots.
II was Joe Whbblc who first opened his eyes
to the snare that was being spread FOR him
"Rcclon yen Toe for putting W the bands lore
long" remarked this worthy. with signlhcant
wink.
"Bands." exclaimed Joshua u amt got
nothipk t. do with no bands. ain L"
Unabashcd 10y the array Of negatives Joc 'X"-
,utcd another wink If even d,ad.i,r significance.
Lu: contanted hi..sclf with the sccpticai mono
syllable. "Garn.'
This was iii that passed a, that time. but
Joshua went home with the omin"us ""id
Glands" ranking IN his breast
lie fingered on the threshold with bis hand on
the latch. and shifted
"Kippeis." lie murmured with an approca 'ory
mile. Then his face fell
"RIow them bands" he muttcrod shouldn't
wonder but what they've bin and tooh my hap
pytte away"
lie was very silent over his tea. except when
bone went the wrong way. His land!ady kept
an intermittent watch on him out OF tn corner
OF her eye
IT'S about time | give him int she
thought Times getting on. and Whitsuniide'd
do az well as not"
It was at this moment that Mr.. Jebbines look
ing up. caught her eye. But for the poison IN
stillcd into his mind hy Joe Whihblc. ii l.. prob
able that he would have scen nothing particular
In IT, As it was. il seemed To look bands at
him-whlch was worse than daggcrs. Mr.. Jcb-
bings chokcd again. partly from emotion ana
parity owing to another misdirected hshhone.
Mrs Potter sighed sigh II fond rcninis-
cence.
81 declare If you don't remind me for all the
world Of Higson. Wonderful one he were Ia
choke I've knowcd him go black in the face
over red herring. And morc'n once he's
brought my heart into my mouth with IA apple
core But, for all that. he lived to die IN his
bed He were jest about your hSser, too, ana
| made him Il knitted wcs'cut the winter fore
be died Potter were stout build and were
thinking Of letting 1t out for him when he took
a chill and remembering how weak all the
po,,ere wac i'm their chests. | rec kOncd ii