Smyrna times., 1931-12-30
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
my Clodhopper Husband" An In
teresting Short Story, Written
by Alice G. Meyer-Wing

village beauty, and as if that
We're not enough, she married the
pest catch" Of the county, Frank
Fenton, the junior partner of the
law firm Of Fenton & Fenton.
Not only did she marry this hand
some young attorney, but she went
away on a long honeymoon trip.
surely the gods were kind to this
nrst bride of our crowd, and we
watched the train out Of sight, and
saw the last flutter of Annie Nays
handkerchief.
10 me this was especially an anx-
lous thought. | was half in love
with a young farm hand, Simon
Akers. This was the day Of the
term "clodhopper." used in ridicule
OF the now honored calling of agri-
culture, and a hired "hand" was
especially despised.
The jeering Of my friends was
OFTEN trying. If you had a beau
like that Amelia" one of them
said as the train disappeared
but wouldn't your cIodhopper loom
up in patent leathers?"
1t was cruel comparison. | was
shamed. Life was cheating me. But
| married Simon. We went West
70 grow up with the country and,
incidentally grew prosperous. The
aunt, who had given me a home
when l was an orphan babe, had
died, and with her went the last
link connecting me with the home
people, but the newspapers had be-
gun TO tell the world about the
political rise of Frank Fenton. And
again there came to me the old
feeling of having been cheated.
Later there were stories of
FentOn's connection with bribery
charges and political scandals.
In the midst of it my husband
suggested that we take the trip
we had so often planned. I'VE can
afford it, honey" he said. "and
we've waited long enough. Well
go to Washington and New York
all the places we've dreamed about.
On our way back well stop at the
little home town. Some of our
old friends are still there. and
love the little place, honey. 1t gave
me my wife. Remember how | used
to walk three miles to see you,
after ] had plowed all day? We
would sit. without a word; then
when 1t was so dark you couldn't
see my cowhide shoes, | would
reach over and take your hand and
remark that it was a fine evening.
remembered.
One of the places we had always
wished to visit was the one large
city Of our home state. We had |
a delightful week Of shopping and |
there, and boarded the |
train for our continued trip in a
happy mood.
Other passengers were coming
IN. One was a pale, well-dressed /
little woman whom the porter con- !
Quoted to a section a little In front I
IF us, on the opposite side of the
Ear. | found myself studying her.
Her profile reminded me of some
one l had known.
The unguarded tones of two
young girls in back of US reached
ne: They think she's on her way
20 the capital to see her scamp of
/ husband A reporter in the depot
old me she came in on the mid
hight train. She isn't well. and
he people say she is grieving her
self ILL.,"
HE hasn't been home for
nonths." continued the indignant
7oung speaker, land it is rumored
hat there is another woman
We had Travelled an hour. prob
IDLY, when | heard her gasp. The
iris sprang up. 'It's Mrs. Fentoni"
me of them said.
Mrs. FentonI" exclaimed, ris-
ng. Could it be-yes, it was-An.
lie May.
She knew me instantly and smiled
through her pain. "My heart" she
aid family. 4 must go back to
he city and telegraph my husband"
| looked at Simon. He under
TODD. I'VE needn't hurry. honey"
le said. wen go back with her
you wish"
AT midnight. her husband, the
Honorable" and very elegant,
frank Fenton arrived.
Frank" she cried. as her hus-
and appeared. "Come here, dear
st. We need you, the children and
:" She struggled up and put out
er hands.
Her husband stood at the foot
4 the bed aloof and cold, stripped
f his glamour. his real self re-
called.
Again | made a comparison of
he two men-Frank Fenton and
imou Akers-and It was my last.
he scales had fallen from my eyes
nd I knew at that moment that
he cheated woman lay suffering be-