The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1905-04-14
worked and had a long talk with him

worked and had a long talk with him.
When he went away Hobson was very
pale and trembling violently. That
night he sat long in the woodshed and
smoked prodigiously. The next day
was Saturday and Abigail had some
shopping to do which kept her down
town rather late. Hobson got OF
from work early Saturday which was
payday.
Imagine Mrs. HobSon'S surprise
when she sailed into her domicile red
from hurrying and loaded with pack
ages to find the house full of tobacco
smoke, and imagine, if you can, her
1urther surprise when she burst into
the SittiDg-room to find Hobson sit
Ting comfortably in a rocker with his
street shoes resting peacefully on her
very best upholstered chair. calmly
smoking, while beside him on the ia
ole was a half-emptied pitcher of beer
Moreover, lIolSon was clad i'm brand
new suit of store clothes.
Mrs. Hobson gasped for breath.
"Philander HObson, what does this
mean:" began Abigail, in sharp tones
wait moment, madam" inter.
rupted Hobson, gazing at her with a
glance OF whitening ScOrn--and i'm
mediately fortifying himself with 4
swallow Of beer.
Abigail, aStounded, started to break
forth again, but Hobson interrupted
her Sternly
SILENCE" he said. 81 have some
thing to say to you. Sit down there. =
pointing to a chair She seated her
self, but on her checks began to an
pear the fighting colors.
ou have deceived me, Abigail, >
went on Hobson, solemnly. "De-
celved me sorely'
Goodness gracious. are YOU crazy,-
asked Abigail.
Nearly" replied hobson, sadly.
"Oh. why did you do it to me?"
"Do what" demanded Ahipail
growing angry.
on! 1t is Of no use to conceal it. [
have seen him." said Hobson.
Seen who?" asked Abigail
hobSon produced photograph.
higgins" shrieked Abigail.
es, Higgins" replied Hobson.
Hes come back and is goin to put
you in jail for bigamy."
When the good woman realized that
ifooSen was not joking and saw her
horrible plight, she broke down and
besought HobSon to believe her in
that she had every reason to think
Higgins dead. She threw herself on
his mercy and besought Hobson not 70
desert her, but to help her. Hobson
said he would think it over while She
went out and replenished the pitcher
or beer. Upon her return he an
nOunced:
IN stand by you, Abigail, because
DelleVe sou thought he was dead
put IL Is going To cost pretty piece
OF money. Higgins wants $500. TO
keep still"
"Lor' man, We have only saved 5000. s"
replied Abigail.
"Iou had some before we were mar
ried, didn't you?" asked Hobson, anx-
iously.
but it will leave US nearly penni-
less, she mOaned.
Cant help it," said HobSon, cheer
fully That's his price, and. really,
it's your funeral
The next day Hobson went to meet
Higgins with 500 in his pockets and 4
crafty look in his eye.
did you get:" asked Higgins, anx-
iousIy.
"No Higgins, replied Hobson, with
an oily smile. 1--we decided to resign
and let you have her. will Just 20
away and take the shame of it and
you can have her"
"Lor' bless you, don't do that,
cried Higgins, glancing desperately
toward the door Then, recovering
himself, he went on: II don't want
to ruin your life, HobSon lf3ou can't
raise $3.50 make it $3.50 and III slide"
But llobSon continued to cling TO
the idea that Higgins place was by
Abigail'S side, and managed to keep
his countenance, despite his prede-
cesSor'S evident terror at the idea. Fin
ally, it was agreed that in considera-
tion OF $50 in hand paid Higgins would
sign a document that he had obtained
a divorce in Dakota four years before
and further, ne signed an agreement
never to molcSt the UobSons further.
iiObSOn deposited $3.50 in bank other
than that patroniZed by Abigail
Whereupon he went home and an
nounced that after a hard stuggle he
had purchased Higgins silence for
the time, but he feared he wonld have
to be paid constantly.
With this permanent provision for
any little extra expenses he might
have. HobSon settled down to the real
joys OF his tireSde, handling his own
money, smoking openly in the front
parlor, drinking his beer where he
chose, attiring himself in the most
gorgeous store clothes and wearing
his boots to bed when he wanted TO. -