The Somerset reporter., 1899-07-27

patterns for all future housewives to
copy What were they as compared
with her to whom the sainted Douglas
had bowed in allegiance before? Ills
voice took on humbled cadence when
he spoke to or of his Lucia. His? How
had he ever dared to WOO this piece of
perfection? How had he been so IA
yored to win her?
He referred to his own unworthiness
one day to a neighbor lately moved in
to the town, a man who years before
had lived in Green Meadows.
"As | think of her former partner |
wonder what she saw in me that
should lead her TO renounce the name
of George Douglas. 1t may be that
she saw my need and, as it were, was
willing to snatch me as brand from
the burning-what We're you about to
say, Lawtonp
"You never knew George Douglas
personality
John shook his head.
"But you did | dare say, by reputa-
ton at least"
Mr.. Lawton grinned.
II did" he said. with a silent, mirth-
full chuekle. And SO you are the man
that married Lucia Douglas. y good
woman sh and a clever one. But
George Duuglas-well, yes. | knew
him, too-lots of folks did-the grog-
shop keepers best of all, Thought
that he was a kind of saint, did you?
Well. now, Lucia didn't when he used
to beat her till she WAS nearly dead,
and she didn't when he stole Parson
Grants colt: nor she didn't when lie
| used to swear blue streaks at her. nor
when she used to have to keep herself
and him from starving by taking in
| washington, she didn't think him Il
saint till he up and died in the gutter,
relieving her of nuisance. | mind
how she broke down when we told
her he was dead and said. Hes done
one good thing that | hope the Lord
will give him credit for, he's died."
John Washane walked home in a
dazed condition.
Lucia" His voice was still some
what awed as he addressed her, in
spite of what he had heard. Lucia
did-did-did'-
"Oh, John why don't you say what
you start to without repeating? Dear
George used to speak SO differently"
Ibid he ever cuss your John had
found his tongue at last.
why. JohnY
"And strike you? Get drunk-steal
-neglect-come. Lucia, tell me- | want
to know the truth"
Mrs Washane's dimples became ap-
parent.
Some one has been talking" she
said, Il twinkle in her brown eyes, so
| may as well admit it. He was-oh,
John, dear, he did make my life SO mis-
| cradle, so unbearable."
"Why did you deceive me sop John
demanded, pulling upon his knees the
wife whom hitherto he had hardly
dared to kiss. You made me think
he was an angel-all but"
Its too bad Mrs. Washane gave n
playful tweak to the grizzled mus
dear, did it in self defense. I'd heard
how you told your second wife of the
virtues of Susan. And I'd heard how
she came at last to the conclusion that
you didn't think she was worthy to I'M
tie your ShOestrings and so died. And
then you told your third wife that she
had been treasure, that Matilda was
not to be mentioned lightly, that she
was worker, IA helpmate, a woman of
q thousand and you could never forget
her worth; and then Jennie died and
you put on her tombstone what you
never told her you thought about her;
and then Carrie heard of Jennie's
goodness and how you could trust her
but died not knowing that you trusted
her, too: and then Mary-the sweet
est woman that ever lived, | admit, for
| knew her, she was my own cousin
Mary became your wife, and you never
told her that she made your home as
happy as heaven, and she died. And
John, dear, | didn't want to hear what
all the others had heard, and SO | gave
you the chance to hear the kind of talk
your wives had heard-and-JOhn
dear, you're not angry, dear, are you
because-well. it has been lovely here,
and I'm SO glad you married me and
gave me a chance to forget Georg
Douglas. You're not angry, John,
dearW
And John Washane kissed his prct-
ty, coaxing young wife and said: IF
you'll never mention your dear de-
parted to me again, I'll tell you what
| think. I've got wife now who is
the best and brightest, loyeliest, sweet
est, cleverest, dearest woman There,
there, puss, don't smother me!-St.
Louis GloDe-Democrat.
An Insulting Parrot.
Bayard Taylor relates the following
about parrot once owned by a lady in