The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-26
THE FAT
MANS CRIME
BY
J. MACLAREN
COBBAN.

three eronies. shes off again. And they
roared in laughter
Johnson turned again to the minister.
you don't know Waddy's old woman, sir
1 daresay? She is a andful. If you like
And a fine woman, too But not for me-
Oh. no-not for Joseph! Law bless you. sir
there amt, I don't believe, such another
woman in England-in the way of larks
and goings-On."
And going-off,'' broke in a crony, and
roared again with laughter.
"And goings-off." repeated Johnson. "as
you say"
waddy did not stir, nor did he move his
head; but he spoke.
BE quiet, Johnson" said he, in husky
undertone.
But Johnson had got into the run OF his
chaff. With another wink at the minister,
as If begging him to note how he would
wake Waddy up little more, he said:
''Waddy, I'm ashamed on you, \ fine
woman like what you've got, and you don't
like to hear her spoke of! Such a fine
stopper and high-hyer as she isr'
BE quiet, Johnson murmured waddy
again, without turning his head.
Look ere, sir" said Johnson, appealing
again to the minister. "I put it to you. A
fine, andsome, lively woman as goes off
about once in six months. just for a bit O.
change, and as don't come back for a
month or so-don't you think you'd like
that? She must be such good company;
so many yarns to tell, you'd never be tired
a-hearing of her. That's 'ow Waddy never
says nothing. But he don't take it cheer
full; that's what complain off,
BE quiet, Johnsoni" again said Waddy.
And again there was a roar of laughter
But Johnson gave no heed. He was in
the full rein Of his elaborate joke. eff I
'ad a woman like that" he went on. I'D
be proud on her! And I'd be fond on her!
And I'd like to keep her sperrits up with
letting her go for a frequent 'oliday. But
Waddy don't. Z Irets about it; e frets
so much e grows fatr'
At that there was another roar of laugh
ter; and Waddy again murmured: BE
quiet, Johnson
"Waddy," continued Johnson, twas as
thin as lath when he was first married.
They admit been married not year, when
off goes this fine woman-slap-dash, crack,
away-in hurry, with a young CONNER
cial! 1t was all for lark-and she was
back again in a month. But what does
old Waddy do all the time? E just sits at
home, and drinks and cries like a baby
and grows fatl'
you'd best be quiet. Johnson said
Waddy, while the rest broke into another
roar.
The minister had so far given a silent
| attention to the progress Of the joke. He
did not approve; he was only puzzled and
| loath to have anything at all to do with
the noisy four. He now saw the full mean
| ing of Johnson's suggestions, and he looked
| closely at Waddy for some sign of resent
ment. But he saw none. Was the mans
heart, he asked himself, as dull as his
| body was fat? He saw his face in profile,
| but evidence of emotion was on il. II
was extraordinary. Yes, at length he did
note something's hand. a white, puffy
hand, beat and padded and pressed against
the cushion Of the seat. The action was
so persistent and so odd. and to the min
isters understanding was so suggestive OF
| very much more than mere pettishness
or even anger that-"Dear met he said to
| himself, 1.-The mans in great troubler'
Johnson was about to go on with his
gibes when the minister laid a hand or
very much"
| Then Johnson's temper changed
"Oh, feeling it, is her. he cried, almost
! fiercely, and looking toward Waddy. 81
dessay! He's just the chap to feel it and
not say nothing. He always did feel II,
s'pose, and not let on. When that fine, live
ly woman come back the first time, a:
bright and brazen as a new farden, wi q
fine cloak and a hat and feather, 1 says
to her, and Jim, e says to her didn't We
| Jim?), Go away / says. He's mad. Hell
| do for you! oh, ah! Do for her! What
| did he do? They settles down again quite
peaceful and 'appy. and she teaches i'm
to play the banjo as the commercial haC
| give her. Maybe you'll say, sir as 'ow he
wanted to let bygones be bygones and keeI
| her sweet at 'ome, having, you may
say, took her back repentant. And p'raps
| for once in a way it weren't a bad dodge
But what about doing it again and agar
! and again? When she'd gone off with the
railway clerk and come back, and the
Scotch tally man. and the play-hactor, a.
| fast as she come back every blessed time
that great soft chap was good to her anC
kind to her and forgiving to her. Oh, yes
| Doing everything for her, letting her lay IL
bed and taking her her cup O. tea in the
morning and everything. and him getting
fatter and her 'ating him more and more
hevery time"
"Oh, be quiet, Johnson, do!' came from
Waddy. with heartrending buskiness.
YES" said Johnson. 'And p'raps he's
! after her now to bring her back. What?'
| he cried. rs she off again Waddy?'
At that Waddy turned. his fingers strok-
ing and twitching at the clothing his
thighs, and with wild expression twas il
hatred or fear?) concentrated in his small
eyes, he said: IF you don't be quiet, John
son, Ill-I'n do something
| y sincere feeling of compassion and ad
miration impelled the minister. His shyness
| forsook him. He leaned over and laid his
hand on Waddy's knee. His voice tremblet
with feeling and his face flushed up TO hi.
| hair"
ALLOW me, sir, TO say that If all Mr.
| Johnson has told be true, then have hearC
! of a fine exhibition of Christian long-suf
fering and patience and forgiveness.
| hope, sir, you may at length be rewarded
| by finding she recognizes your goodness
| and renders a true wifely devotion"