The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-03-12
EIAB|lQfn1RAGED3
By o. HENRY.

~
below.
Amt it a beaut?" said Mrs. Cassidy
She turned her face proudly for hei
friend Mrs. Fink to see. One eye was
nearly closed, with great greenish
purple bruise around It, Her lip was
cut and bleeding a little, and there
were red finger marks on each side of
her neck.
MY husband wouldn't ever think OF
doing that to me-" said Mrs. Fink, con.
cealing her envy.
Il wouldn't have a man." declared
Mrs Cassidy. that didn't beat me up
at least once week. Shows he thinks
something OF you. Say, but that last
dose Jack gave me wasn't no homeo-
pathic one! L can see stars yet. But
he'll be the sweetest man In town for
the rest of the week to make up for it.
This eye Is good for theater tickets and
silk shirt waist at the very least"
II should hope" said Mrs. Fink, as
Stunning complacency, that Mr.. Fink
Is too much of gentleman ever to
raise his hend against me-
"Oh, go on, Maggier' said Mrs. Cas-
sidy, laughing and applying witch
hazel You've only jealous. Your old
man is too Trapped and slow to ever
give you n punch. He just sits down
and practices physical culture with a
newspaper when he comes home. Now,
amt that the TRUTH"
mfr. Fink certainly peruses Of the
papers when he comes honey acknowl-
edged Mrs. Fink, with toss of her
head "but he certainly don't ever
make no Steve O'Donnell out of me
just to amuse himself--that's sure
thing"
Mrs Cassidy laughed the contented
laugh of the guarded and happy ma
tron. With the air of Cornelia exhib-
iting her jewels she drew down the
collar OF her kimono and revealed an
other treasured bruise, maroon color
ed, edged with olive and orange, q
bruise now nearly well, but still to
memory dear
Mrs. Fink capitulated. The forma!
light In her eye softened to enyious
admiration. She and Mrs. Cassidy had
been chums in the downtown paper box
factory before they had married, one
year before Now she and her man
occupied the fiat above Name and her
man. Therefore she could not put on
airs with Name. N'iAt
"Dont It hurt when he so;sks you?'
asked Mrs. Fink curiously
Hurt Mrs. Cassidy gave So
prano scream of delight. swell, say,
did you ever have brick house fall
on you? Well, that's just the way it
fecls-just like when they're digging
you out of the ruins. Jacks got left
that spells two matinees and q new
pair Of Oxfords-and his right! Well,
1t takes trip to Coney and six pairs
of openworls, silk Isle threads to make
that good"
But what does he beat you forT
inquired Mrs. Fink, with wide open
eyes. ~
silly said Mrs. Cassidy indulgent-
~. "Why. because he's full. It's gen.
orally on Saturday nights"
But what cause do you give him."
persisted the seeker after knowledge.
why, didn't I marry him? Jack
comes in tankcd up, and I'm here, amt
/? Who else has he got a right to
beat? I'd just like to catch him once
beating anybody else! Sometimes it's
because supper amt ready. and some
times it's because 1t is. Jack amt
particular about causes. He just
lushes till he remembers he's married,
and then he makes for home and does
me up. Saturday nights l just move
the furniture with sharp corners out
of the way. so i won't cut my head
when he gets his work in. He's got a
left swing that jars you. Sometimes ]
take the count I'm the first round, but
when l feel like having good time
during the week or want some new
rags / come up again for more nun
ishrent That's what / done last
night Jack knows I'VE been wanting
black silk waist for month. and l
didn't think just one black eye would
brinY It. Tell you what, Mag, I'll bet
you the ice cream he brings It to-
night"
Mrs. Fink was thinking deeply.
shy Mart" she said never hit me
n lick in his life It's just like you
said. Name; he comes in grouchy and
amt got word to say He never
hkes me out anywhere. He's chsrr
warmer ut home for fair. He buys me
things, but he looks so glum about il
that | never appreciate EN-"
Mrs Cassidy slipped an arm around
her chum.
"You poor thingv' she said. But ev
erybody can't have a husband like
Jack. Marriage wouldn't be no failure
n they was all like him. These dis
eontcnted wives you hear about-what
they need Is man to come home and
kick their Stats in once week and
then make it up in kisses and chocolate
creams. -That'd give 'cm some interest
in life. what / want Is masterful
man that sings you when he's Jagged
and hugs you when he amt jagged
Preserve me from the man that amt
got the eand TO do neither"
Mrs. Fink sighed.
The Railways were suddenly filed
with sound The door few open at the !
Kick of Mr.. Cassidy. His arms were
occupiod with bundles Name flew 4