The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-03-03
THE BLACKSMITH.

was hurrylng along the street TOWARD
her husband s1shop.
It had been her daily custom 70,
years to carry him his MONDAY meal,
Is Parker declared too much time was
consumed in going to and from his shop.
He was q big, burly fellow, with q
scowling countenance and a right arm
strong enough to fell an OK, and as his
disposition was none Of the best people
were careful not to provoke him to
anger.
His wife was his opposite in every
particular, she being a tiny, timid
creature of a mild nature and, like
Alice Of 'Ben Bolt" fame. "trembled
with fear at his frown."
Why she ever chose Parker as q hus-
band or why he selected her for his wife
was a matter Of comment, as there
seemed to be no love between them.
Yet Mrs. Parker was a faithful spouse
and etrove to administer to her hus-
bands comfort, though she never re-
ceived anything but harsh words and
surly looks for her pains.
CHANGING at a clock in q shop win
dow, she perceived it was past the din
ner hour, and her heart sank within
her in anticipation Of the scolding she
was sure to receive, as the blacksmith
set p~unctuality above all things.
On reaching the shop she was relieved
at not seeing her husband within. The
place, however. bore evidence of his re-
cent presence, and everything indicated
that he had taken a hasty departure. A
fire blazed in the forge, and a horse
shoe. which still retained its warmth,
lay upon the anvil. Mrs. Parker glanced
around in hope of finding a suitable
spot on which to place the dinner pail,
but, seeing nothing more convenient
than the anvil, deposited the pail beside
the horseshoe and took her departure.
Upon arriving home she busted her
self with household affairs, as she was
q thrifty housewife. despite any other
shortcomings.
That evening, when Parker returned
from his work, he was in a worse ~
NOR than usual, and his hat4.uuIiy.
scowling c~ountenance was nor t1TaiG,
0A41S UAAdAs OfCAs L AtI rs N--4--..ar.
pail upon the table with a cr;t, ~,,'s'
startled his wife into a CRY CT .-i..
She fully expected the vialso / his wrath
to be poured upon her, as railing at l..
wife vas Parker's chief occupat.ea
when at home. But, strange to say, Gu
this occasion he never even glanced to.
ward her, but strobe across the room
or1 70 11irn~ n hoci,, ~ -,o%1n booze, .o
moving the traces of toll from his hands
and face, after which he made his way
into an adjoining room for the purpose
of substituting fresh garments for his
grimy ones.
Mrs. Parker breathed more freely as
the door closed sharply behind him,
and she picked up the pail and exam
ined it. A sigh escaped her as she dis
covered a deep dent in the side which
had come in contact with the table.
On removing the lid she perceived that
the nice meal she had prepared had
been scarcely tasted. Another sigh
escaped her as she emptied the contents
of the pail into a receptacle neal by.
Presently a rat-tat-tat sounded upon
the door and Mr.. Cobb stood without.
Mr.. Cobb was a short. stout individual,
with a bald head and rubicund counte-
nance, a coroner by occupation, yet,
notwithstanding the gloomy nature Of
his business, he was a jolly chap, and
frequently dropped in to enjoy a chat
with the Parkers, with whom he had
struck up a sort of friendship. In his
younger days he had been something of
a ventriloquist, but this fact was un-
known to many Of his late acquaint-
ances.
"Oh, good evening, Mr.. Cobbl" Mrs.
Parker said as she perceived her visitor.
walk right in. James will be here
directly. He has gone to get cleaned up
q bit.
Cobb entered the kitchen and took a
seat. Mrs. Parker continued her work.
lyon are as Industrious as ever, he
remarked, glancing at the pail she was
rubbing. 81 don't believe satan ever
any mischief for your hands to
do"
"Well, l always find plenty t. keep
me busy" she replied, smiling at the
implied compliment.
The blacksmith's wife was invari-
ably pleased at a tribute to her indus
try. II believe it," answered Cobb,
s'as I EVE yet have seen you idle. Oh,
hello, Parker'-as the blacksmith ap-
peared. "How are you? / suppose you
have heard Of the murderT"
"I-no." replied Parker confusedly.
what murder?" And as he spoke he
turned toward the mantelshelf and be-
gan filling q pipe with tobacco.
9 supposed every n in town had
heard Of it by this time" said Cobb.
news travels SO fast"
81 have nc time for gossip" said
Parker, with q frown.
ssGertainly not. But one cannot al.
rays avoid hearing Of certain happen
ngA Well. old man Jenkins was found
in his barn this afternoon"