Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-01-16
A NOVEL EXPERIMENT

Mrs. Parker, the blacksmith's wife,
was hurrylng along the street toward
her husbands shop.
1t had been her daily custom for
years to carry him his monday meal,
as Parker declared too much time was
consumed in going to and from his
shop.
He was a big, Durly fellow with a
scowling countenance and right arm
strong enough to fell al OK, and as his
disposition was none of the best peo-
pie were careful not to provoke him
to anger.
His wife was his opposite in every
particular, she being tiny, tlmid crea-
ture of q mild nature and, like "Alice"
Of Ben Bolt' fame, "trembled with
fear at his frown
Why she ever chose Parker for a
husband 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 strovc to administer to her
husbands comfort, though she never
received anything but harsh words and
surly looks for her pains.
CHANGING at a clock in a shop win.
dow. she perceived it was past the din
ner hour and her heart sunk within
her in anticipation of the scoldlng she
was sure to receive, as the blacksmith
set punctuallty above all things.
On reaching the shop she was great
ly relieved at not seeing her husband
within. The place, however, bore evi.
dence of his recent presence, and
everything indicated that he had taken
hasty departure. A fire blazed In
the forge and a horseshoe, which still
retained its warmth, lay upon an anvil.
Mrs. Parker glanced around in hope Of
finding a suitable spot on which to
place the dinner pail, but, seeing moth
ing 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
thrifty housewife, despite any other
shortcomings
That evening, when Parker returned
from his work, he was In a worse hu.
NOR than usual, and his habitually
sc0Wllng c0untenance was more for
bidding than ever. He hung his din
uer pail upon the table with a crash
which startled his wife into a cry Of
terror She fully expected the walls Of
his wrath to be poured upon her, as
railing at his wife was Parker's chief
occupation when at home. But,
strange to say, on this occasion he
never even glanced toward her but
strobe across the room and, taking a
basin of water, began removing the
traces of toll from his hands and face
After which he made his way into an
adjoining room for the purpose Of sub
stituting 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.
'ned it. A sigh escaped her as she
discovered a deep dent in the side
which had come In contact with the
table. On removing the lid she per.
ceived that the nice meal she had pre-
pared had been scarcely tasted. An.
9th SIGH escaped her as she emptled
q ntcnts of the pail into recep-
taco near by
Presently rat-tat-tat sounded upon
the door, and Mr.. Cobb stood without.
Mr.. Cobb was q short, stout individual,
with a bald head and rubicund coun-
tenance. A coroner by occupation, yet,
Notwithstanding the gloomy nature Of
his business, he was jolly chap, and
frequently dropped in to enjoy chat
with the Parkers, with whom he had
struck up sort Of friendship. In his
Younger lays he had been something
Of a ventrlloquist, but this fact was
unknown to many Of his later acquaint-
aDces
"Oh. good evening, Mr. Cobb" Mrs.
Parker said, as she perceived her WIS.,
tor walk right in. James will be
here directly. He has gone to get
cleaned up Bit"
Cobb entered the kitchen and took a
seat. Mrs. Parker continued her work.
you are as Industrious as ever" he
remarked, glanclng at the pail she was
rubbing. 81 don't believe Satan ever
finds any mischief for your hands
to do
well, l always find plenty to keep
me busy sne replied, smiling at the
implied compliment.
The blacksmith's wife was invaria,
bly, pleased at a tribute to her indus-
try. II believe IT. answered Cobb,
"as | never yet have seen you idle.
Oh, hello, Parker'-as the blacksmith
appeared. "How are you? I suppose
you have heard Of the murder?"
"I-no,' replied Parker, confusedly.
"What murderT' And MS he spoke he