Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-09-02
Abigail's Express
Package
BY MURIEL BLAIR
20, 1871. western Newspaper Tnldh'9

o"AA SAoAO SAfNNu ttO S0PASHS
office at Norbury, which 'wds kept by
Mrs James searles, her Apser Oh her
lip, her free hand pointed down the
road.
i Hes coming, Jane" she whispered
mysteriously.
Mrs. Searles looked up YEARLY from
her delivery book. "Who2" she asked
l1tersely.
.sThat worthless husband Of yours"
: responded the other tartly. oHes
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 If ever another
drop of liquor passed his lips you'd
cast him off for good"
II guess you're right, Abigail" re-
spondeds Jane Searles meeidy.
"Goodl Geodl" exclaimed the other
heartily,
my dear" said thick voice be-
hind her. Jane searles turned. Her
husband stood on the threshold.
Jane Hearles went up to him.
Jim, she said, II have been q 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"
"JaneW Dear JaneW murmured Mr..
Searles uncertainty. But he withdrew
hastily as the slammed, door grazed
his nose, and, looking back rlefully
at this unexpected phenomenon, he de-
cided that 1t was not q propittops mo-
ment to renew the attack, and ilmped
back down the road in the direction
Of his crony's, Joe Turner
what, back again2" shouted the
latter. looking up from his forge.
wife won't have me-" mifmyred
Jim Searles disconsolately taking a
seat beside the fire.
II guess mot" shouted Joe. II
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'll see what can be
done for you"
Jim Searles awoke that evening to
find Joe Turner toastlng bacon over
the fire.
How d'you feel, Jimf" asked the
blacksmith, coming back with the
bacon. "Protty bad. hey7 Have some
beer"
mot 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 a good con
science. Well, I've been UP to your
wifes, jim; there's nothing doing
there. She won't take you"
The sound of hammerlng 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
4 label bearing the words:
"ABIGAIL SMALE, Express Office,
NOrbury. To be kept till called for"
"Whats that for, JoeT' inquired Jim
I'm amazement
"Tbafs for Won. INV how answered
the blacksmith "IIop ln."
package for Miss Smale. Mrs. Scar
les" called Joe.
IAN right; take It into the Office,
Mfr Turner" answered the lady.
As soon ns Joe was gone Mrs Scar
leo went over TO the case and looked
Mt the label
"Tbot looks like Joe Turner's writ
Inen no heard his wife say.
lin heard her sob os she turned
awav. He heard her 90 into the par-
Ior and ouIotlv forcing nm two slots
oP tbe lId thrust ont his bend Next
n,omont no Withdrew n burrladlv FOR
ho heard his wife and Abigail Smole
ontc,,ng tho Office
"WaIID sninred tbe latter or Ger.
to,nlv ia n reIlof 70 no oble IN come
around without seeing that filthy
drunkordn
lin hoard his wife CRYING quietly
T yoa going IN sov that tbere's a
nackoge come for Won AblpoiIn she
sold
"Iror megp oxcloimed Mics smoIe in
sprnrIse
I'm seorIes, head emerpIng GRO.
,osouo,v I,ka tbat of ioclr.in.tba.hov
FOR once comnIctoIv dIscomnosc1 Miss
smaIe
"Good mornInc mo,omn sbouted