Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-06-17
Abigail's Express
Package
BY MURIEL BLAIR
Q. 1921. Western Newspaper Union,

Abigail Smale entered the express
Office at Norbury, which was kept by
Mrs. James Searles. her finger on her
lip. her free hand pointed down the
road
He's coming. Jane,' she whispered
mysteriously.
Mrs. Searles looked up YEARLY from
her delivery book. "Who?" she asked
tersely.
That worthless husband Of yours
responded the other tartly. He's
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 Smaie stood up. ''JSne,"
she said firmly, last time he came
home you told him If ever another
drop Of liquor passed his lips you'd
cast him off for good"
Il guess you're right, Abigail" re-
eponded Jane Searles meekly.
Good Gooa!" exclaimed the other
heartily.
My dearl' said a thick voice be-
hind her. Jane Searles turned. Her
husband stood on the threshold.
Jane Searles went up to him.
"Jim," she said, Il 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" murmured Mr..
Searles uncertainty. But be withdrew
hastily as the slammed door grazed
his nose, and, looking back ruefulIy
at this unexpected phenomenon, he de-
cided that it was not a 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 q
seat beside the fire.
Il guess not" shouted Joe. 81
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 a
nap" he said "Ill see what can be
done for YOU"
Jim Searles awoke that evening to
find Joe Turner toasting bacon over
the fire.
''How dyou feel, Jim?" asked the
blacksmith, coming back with the
bacon. pretty bad, hey? Have some
beer?"
/ "Not for me, Joe," said Jim Searles,
and the other gave him violent clap
on the back.
"Good for you, JIM" he shouted.
Nov can go ahead with good con-
science. Well, I've been up to your
wife's, Jim; there's nothing doing
there. She won't take you"
The sound of hammering awakened
him the next morning. Slipping on
his Clothes he went into the smithy,
to ind 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"
What's that for, Joe?" inquired Jim
in amazement.
That's for you, my boy" answered
the blacksmith Hop in"
Package for Miss Smalc, Mrs. Scar
les" called Joe.
"AlI right; take it 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 locks like Joe Turner'S writ
ing ne heard his wife say.
Jim heard her sob as she turned
away. He heard her go into the par
Tor, and. quietly forcing up two Stats
OF the lid, thrust out his head. Next
moment he withdrew 1t hurriedly, for
he heard his wife and Abigail SmaIe
entering the office.
We'll" shifted the latter. sit Ger
tainly is relief to be able TO come
around without seeing that filthy
drunkard."
Jim heard his wife crying quietly.
81 was going to say that there's
package come for you, Abigail" she
said.
"For me2" exclaimed Miss Smale in
surprise.
Jim Searles' head emerging gro
tesquely. like that of jack-in-the-box,
for once completely discomposed Miss
Smale.
Good morning, ma'am" shouted
Jim briskly I'm the filthy drunkard
that's been sent TO you. l hope you
have good accommodations for me,
ma'am,"
''Oh, this is too much r gasped abb
gail. "How dare you'll Jane, you
knew he was here. You set him on
to do this"
Indeed. Abigail"