Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-08-11
Abigail's Express
Package
By MURIEL BLAIR
70. 1871. wsstern Newspaper Union. }

mysteriously
Mrs. Searles looked up YEARLY from
her delivery book. "WhoT she asked
tersely.
THAT worthless husband Of yours"
responded the other tartly. Hes
been gone three days now on one Of
his regular sprees with that Joe Tur-
ner and their worthless friends. Jane,
promise me you'll not take him back.
Show your dignity"
Abigail Smale stood up. "Jane,'
she said firmly, last time he came
home you told him II ever another
drop Of liquor passed his lips you'd
cast him off for good"
al guess you're right, Abigail re-
sponded Jane Searles meekly.
Good! Goodp exclaimed the other
heartily. Y
my dearl' said a thick voice be-
hind her. Jane Searles turned. Fer
husband stood on the threshold.
Jane Searles went up to him.
"Jim," she said, II have been good
wife to you for nearly ten years, and
I've worked and shaved for you, and
I've stood for good deal, but it's over
now"
janet" Dear Janet" murmdred Mr..
Searles uncertainty. But he withdrew
hastily as the slammed door grazed
his nose, and, looking back ruefully
at this unexpected phenomenon, he de-
cided that II was not propitious mo-
ment to renew the attack, and limped
back down the road in the direction
Of his crony's, Joe Turner.
what, back again?" shouted the
latter, looking up from his forge.
"wife won't have me-" murmured
Jim Searles disconsolately, taking a
seat beside the fire.
II guess not" shouted Joe. Il
warned We, jim"
"But it's breaking my heart, Joe"
muttered the other Help me-"
Joe Turner pushed his friend into
the little room at the back Of the
forge.
"You lie down there and take
nap" he said "I'n see what can be
done for you"
Jim Searles awoke that evening to
find Joe Turner toasting bacon over
the fire.
"How d'you feel, JimY asked the
blacksmith, coming back with the
bacon. Pretty bad, hey? Have some
beerT
"Not for me, joe" said Jim Searles,
and the other gave him violent clap
On the back.
Good for you, JIM" he shouted.
Now can go ahead with good con-
science. Wei, I've been up to your
wife's, Jim; there's nothing doing
there. She won't take you"
The sound Of hamnering awakened
him the next morning. Slipping on
his clothes, he went into the smithy,
to find Joe Turner putting the last
nails into huge packing case which
stood on his cart, the horse being al
ready harnessed. On one corner was
a label bearing the words:
ABIGAIL SMALE, Express Office,
Norbury. To be kept till called for"
Whats that for, JoeT' inquired Jim
in amazement.
''That's for you, my boy" answered
the blacksmith. Hop in"
Package for Miss Smale, Mrs. Scar
les" called Joe.
IAN right; take 1t into the office,
Mr.. Turner" answered the lady.
AS soon as Joe was gone Mrs. Scar
les went over to the case and looked
at the label.
THAT looks like Joe Turner's writ
Ing" he heard his wife say.
Jim heard her sob as she turned
away. He heard her go into the par
lor, and, quietly forcing UP two Stats
OF the lid, thrust out his head. Next
moment he withdrew It hurriedly, for
he heard his wife and Abigail Smale
entering the Office
"Well," shifted the latter, at GER
tainly Is relief to be able to come
around without seeing that filthy
drunkard."
Jim heard his wife crying quietly.
II was going to say that there's a
package come for you, Abigail" she
said.
"For me?" exclaimed Miss Smale in
surprise
Jim Searles' head emerging gro
tesquely, like that of a jack-in-the-box,
for once completely discomposed Miss
Smale.
"Good morning, ma'am," shouted
Jim briskly. "Pm the filthy drunkard
that's been sent to you. hope you
have good accommodations for me,
ma'am."
"oh, this is too much !" gasped Abb
gail How dare you Jane, you
knew he was here. You set him on
TO do this"
Indeed, Abigail"
"I'n never come here again." cried
the irate spinster.
Jim spoke up like man. Jane,
dear he said. "Pve had my lesson.
God help me, I'll never; touch the stun
again Won't you give me CHANGER
Jim Searles got out of his box and
placed his arm round his wife's waist.
Jenny, I'm going 10 work tomor-
row." he said. "Will you try me out
once more--lf Abigail don't claim me?"
Eyes" whispered his wife, raising
her lips 10 his. and ! tell you what
III do, Jim" she nodded. IF Abigail
doesn't claim you within three months
I'll put you up 70 auction and buy
you In myseit--if you make good"