St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-02-25
A Perfectly ncdel Man
BY Ella Higginson.

/ A Perfectly ncdel Man \
Il By Ella Higginson. &
Ra00000aQszssssaaasaa
CHE lay there alone In the dark.
y 1t was near midnight. When the
lights had been dimmed throughout
the house, and stiffness had settled
upon everything, he had arisen in un-
bearable suffering and gone softly
down stairs. 1t was her last night in
the house, whose every chair and cur
tain seemed to thrill as he passed. and
he must be nearer the room in which
she lay asleep-forevermore asleep.
He threw himself upon q couch in
the hall. He lay on his back with one
arm thrown over his eyes. He was
trembling like an old, old manor like
Z dog that lies out in the cold and wet
and hears fire cracking within the
house.
A fine rain was beating ceaselessly
against the windows and doors. The
climbing rose against De side Of the
house moved its arms the wind bore
down upon it. 1t had NOT been month
since she had asked him to tack it
more securely. AZ the autumn winds
were coming on; and he had replied
that he would do ii some other time
he had an engagement now. The en-
gageme Mt had been 10 play billiards
with . man for whom be cared moth
Ing. She was standing on the steps in
her pale blue gown, with tncks and bits
Of leather and . long-handled hammer
in her hands He recalled the cloud Of
disappointment that had drifted SUD-
denly across her face. The following
morning he had observed that the vine
was tackled in place, and he had not
though. of it again. Until now! Why
on earth should he think Of it now?
Was not his anguish deep enough? Why
could he not remember rather the
things he he'd done to make her
happy-fhe pleasant home he had given
her, the jewels. the pretty gowns, the
carTiage-ah. the carriage. His hearl
opened and closed suddenly. The car
pleasure because he never went driv-
ing with her! He had told her that be
was too 06sy! Good God. his heart
cried out roughly, why need he have
lied TO her? She must have known
then that he was lying to her; surely
she knew it now.
Presently he became aware that two
women had entered an adjoining room.
They drew their chairs to the fire and
sewed and talked. The door leading
into the dark hall was OPEN 1t seemed
good to him-less Ionely-that they
should be there. They spoke in un-
hushed voices, rs if 10 make it more
cheerful for themselves.
well" said one, after they had talked
or other things, biting thread and
rolling the end between her thumb and
forefinger, .she had everything that
heart could want. He's good man. an
he. was mighty good to her" She bent
toward the lamp to thread her needle.
Her eyelids fiickered close together.
Tiny wrinkles ran around her eyes.
The other woman was silent.
.Yes," continued Mrs. Gregg. begin
nlng to sew, .'there amt many men as
good to woman's he was. She had a
nice home, all furnished up nice-wy,
that sideboard alone cost $500 If it cost
q cent! She had cook an second
girl never could see why they call
'em second girls-an' a kerriage. an
6le jeweiry. ar dresses. She had :. |
plenty o. spending money besides"
The other woman was silent. Why |
did she not sreak. He lifted his head
and looked at her. She rocked back
and forth as she sewed. Her eyes were
on her work. He knew her well-a poor
ceighbor to whom his wife had given |
much sewing and of whom she had al |
ways been fond. Only few hours be-
fore her death she had spoken TO him
OF this wom- n. you'll do something
for her sometimes. dearest" she had |
whispered. even after speech was a diff |
ficult thing for her. do little things |
for her and the chiIdren-and do them
d. tlicately-so you will not-hurt-
her" She had sunk back in his arms,
exhausted. and finished the sentence
with smile.
Look at her front door," went on
Mrs. Gregg. she wanted fine one. an |
she got it. She got every blessed thing
she took notion for, from a Durglar-
proof closet for her silverware to a |
Poppa Gonteer rosebush. You got that |
seam done. Mis- Medcaf?"
Mrs. Medcalf held up the seam to show
that il lacked several inches OF .,;up1
EEished.
.'Oh, you'll soon have it done. It'sa
nifty she ain't got any children. He'll /
be so much more lonesome, 4 COMM
home at night an not findin' anybody |
here
Then Of sudden the other woman
spoke: Il reckon he won't be any lone
acmer'n shes been all these wears.
a-settin' here alone. night after night |
1iu II o'clock"
No knife ever sent more sickeninr /
main through 4 heart than those words i
sent through the heart Of the man who
lay there in the dark and heard.
.Hum-er-hum." said Mrs. Gregg.
~ expect it did get kind Of lonesome |
Tor her. He-he-that Is, guess Le
~ have to stay downtown most OF the /
4fne. But be didn't have any bad hab-
lts-dfdn't drink Or gamble or look at |
o1her women. He Vas perfectly mod
= husband.