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VOL. XII.
NEW BLOOMFIELD, 1JV., TUESDAY, irEmtUA.RY (S, 1878.
NO. 1.
THE TIMES.
Aa Independent Family Newspaper,
18 PUnLISHBD BVRBT TUB8DAT BT
F. MORTIMER & CO.
8 U H 8 C It I P T I O 1'lllCE,
(WITHIN TUB C'OCMTY.
One Ye 1 .!
-His Months 78
(OIT OP Tn COUNTY.
one Year, (Postage Included) II fo
Six Months, (Postage Included) Ho
Invariably In Advance I
Advertising rates furnished upon appli
cation. Belcdt Tocti'y.
THE NEAREST DRAUGHT.
As the lone dove to Fur Palmyra flying
From where her native founts of Antloeh
gleam,
Weary, exhausted, thirsty, panting, sighing,
Lights sadly at the desert's bitter stream
:So the worn soul, along Life's wayside faring,
Love's pure, congenial spring unfound, uu
qualTed. HutTers, recoils, then helpless and despairing
Uf what It would, descends and sips the nearest
draught.
For This TtMKn.
THE SILENT WIFE.
pEEN up In the country V" I
' jj queried, as I met my friend
'Burner In the street a few days since. I
hadn't seen him for some time, and he
looked sunburnt and rough, as if he had
been exposed to the country sun. lie
Informed me that he had, and that he
had been to visit Tim Homers, a mutual
friend of ours, who had moved, away
from town two years before. After in
quiries concerning liis visit and his en
joyment during the warm months,
conversation reverted to our old friend.
" I never was more surprised in my
life," said Bui ner, " than I was to see
him in the depot at Ramshead. I hud
quite forgotten that he wus located
there."
I informed him that I had also for
gotten it, though I believed his wife's
relatives were living there.
" His wife's yes, yes," continued
Burner, "singular woman that; did you
know her?"
"Yes," I replied; "she Is a little,
bustling, talkative thing, full of fun and
chat, and making her house merry by
the music of her voice. Nice little wo
man." Burner looked at me a moment, and
burst into a laugh, to my great wonder
ment. I requested him, in a tone of
chagrin, to inform me what the deuce he
was laughing at.
" Talkative 1" said he, when he could
checkrein hiscachinatory colt; " I found
her anything but that, I tell you. . I
never knew the lady when she lived in
town, but a more taciturn body I never
saw than I found her."
" Indeed I" I remarked ; " then there
must have been a change, truly."
"I met Somers in the depot," con
tinued Burner, " and he was very glud
to see me, inquiring after the old friends,
and you with the rest. Through all his
Joy .however ,1 saw that there was a vein
of sadness; and when I alluded to his
family he appeared embarrassed, and dis
posed to change the subject. I had no
object in view in visiting Ramshead,
other than the change of scene, and did
not intend to remain there but a day or
two ; but seeing Somers led me think
that it would not be a bad thing to tarry
there awhile, seeing that there was a
beautiful pond of water in the vicinity,
as I had seen from the cars as I came
along, and a deep wood denoting game.
Vomers used to be great on those things,
you know. T hinted at our former sport
ing practices, and mentioned my half
resolution to stay; but, instead of mani
festing an Interest In the subject, he
sighed deeply, and replied :
" Burner, I haven't taken a pole in
tny hand, nor put a gun to my shoulder,
for five long years, and I never shall
Again." '
I looked at him with astonishment,
but I know that he was sincere. I
fancied that I saw a tear in his intelli
gent eye, and my heart drew stronger
towards him than ever. I then quite re
solved to stay, and ordered the porter of
the hotel to carry my baggage my
valise and gun up to the house, which
was close by. My rod-cane I carried In
ray hand. Taking Homers on iuyarni,we
foil wed the porter, and a few moments
later found us seated in my room with a
little rummer claret negus between us
an excellent lubricator for a dusty tiny.
"Well, now, are you prospering,
Homers V" I replied, wishing to penetrate,
If possible, the mystery that enshrouded
him, deeming that it might be some
business dilllculty In which he was in
volved. "Doing capitally," he replied;
"haven't lost a dollar since I came here.
People have lilek-nanied mo ' Lucky
Tom.' How wrongly people judge in
measuring men.'
" What do you mean by that!"' said
I, as I saw the cloud creep over his face,
as you have, while standing on the
mountains, Been a shadow fitting across
the meadow.
" I mean, said he, " that in measuring
us they take but one feature Into the
account, and upon tbut base a hypothesis
of happiness, or luck, as the case may
be."
" Are you not happy ?" I asked, in a
tone calculated to win his confidence.
" I am far from It," he replied ; " In
deed, a more miserable man is not to lie
found in these parts."
" In what regard 1"'
" My wife is dumb," healmost sobbed,
In answer to my question.
"Dumb?" I repeated, and thinking
to rally him, said in a jocular manner,
" Well, that is a very singular thing
to be sad for; I know many husbands
who would be too happy to have such a
calamity happen to them. Burn says:
' Au auld wife's tongue's a freckles
matter,' and there's no contention in a
house where perpetual silence is the
bond of unity !''
I saw that he was hurt, and hastened
to remedy the evil I had done. Taking
him by the hand, I said :
" Tim, I assure you I would not
wound your feelings willingly. I am no
less your friend than I ever was, and no
less worthy your confidence. Now I
wish you to tell me the cause of your
trouble, that I may Bhare It with you,
or possibly alleviate it."
He hesitated a few moments, and then
said, with considerable emotion :
"Well, Burner, old friendship is
stirring within me, and I shall do at Its
prompting that which I thought nothing
could wring for me. You remember
how happy I was. There was not a
man in the world who had more friends,
true friends, than I had. My home was
a happy one my wife pleasant, my
children handsome and intelligent. You
never say my wife, Burner V"
My name, in the connection, sounded
like an imprecation upon his wife, and
the Burner a wrathful expletive" burn
her." Somers continued : .
" When we moved up here things
went on in pretty much the same pleas
ant way until there came to the village
a lady whom I had formerly known, and
about whom and me there had been a
little gossip in old days. Our acquaint
ance was renewed, and I visited her
several times ; made no concealment of
my intimacy with her, and invited any
wife to accompany me, but she declined.
She wished to make no new acquaint
ances, she said. There was a frequent
visitor to my house a relative of my
wife's who poisoned her ears with
suspicious that it was not right between
May Brennon and myself. She repeated
the old gossip, with additions, spoke of
my visits to Miss Brennon, and hinted
at criminality, as that iiasty-mlnded
class always will, who, having small
virtues of their own; and depraved
fancies, conjure up impure conceits re
garding their neighbors, imputing
lasciviousness and wrong where the
strictest purity might not see occasion
to blush. I was returning home one
summer evening, on foot, having spent
the day In business at a town a few
miles from this, when, by a strange
chance, a short distance from town, I
met Miss Brennon. It was a pure acci
dent that brought us together, and she
turned back with me, taking my arm.
We walked slowly, as the weather was
warm, and stopped a moment on the
rustic bridge yonder to look down into
the stream and say a few pleasant words
about old times. I saw some one pass
by us as we stood there, but was Indiffer
ent as to whom it might be, and bidding
my companion good-bye, I went home,
as happy as a lord, In anticipation of
meeting there that I loved so well. I
met with a cold reception. My bane
was sitting with my wife In counsel, and
I read judgment on the face that had
too many times lately turned unkindly
towards me.
Ho you've come, Mr. Hypocrite, have
you ? was the first salutation.
" Certulnly, my dear, I have come,"
I replied, " though I can scarcely see
the reason for the application of the
name to me."
"You cannot! You have Just left
that vile creuturc, on whose account and
In whose company you have all day
been absent from your home! You
cannot!"
I have been away all day on business,"
said 1, as calm as Hoerates, " I was re
turning home and encountered Miss
Brennon. We walked together a little
way, and then I left her for my pleuHaut
home, and certainly did not expect such
a reception."
" You did not," suld she sneeringly,
"but you are found out, sir. You stood
upon the bridge with your arm around
the strumpet's waist and kissed her."
I felt aroused at this. I cun bear any
attack upon myself but the reflection
upon Miss lien lion was too much for
me, who knew her pure character and
exalted worth.
" It Is a falsehood !" I shouted, and
your Informant Is a malicious and
malignant falsifier!"
The relative gathered herself up to go,
but before she went I gave her a lesson
on lying and tale-bearing that she has
not forgotten yet. She has never crossed
my door since. As soon as she was gone
1 turned to my wife and said :
" As for you, madam, if you cannot
make a better use of your tongue, you
had better never speak again."
I was heated, in a passion, and scarce
ly knew what I said, but the unkind
words entered Into her soul. I left the
house and did not return for a long
time, I found her calmly and undis
turbedly sitting where I had left her,
but she spoke not. She aroso and per
formed such duties as were required of
her, but she did not speak. In vain I
addressed her; Bhe made no reply. I
grew alarmed. I begged her to speak to
me, but not one word would she deign
me. It has continued thus ever since.
Not one word has she uttered to me or
any one. My home is dismal as a tomb,
or I would have invited you there."
He ceased his story, and I told him
how much interested I had been in it.
" But," said I, "have you tried no remedy
to cure this disease, for disease it must
be?" He told me that he had not.
" Then," said I, " take me home with
you, and if I don't cure her, strike 'the
spurs from my heel as an unworthy
knight."
I went home with the poor fellow,
and found things pretty much as he had
represented. I was introduced to the
mistress of the mansion, who received
me with a profound bow.
" A delightful home, madam, this of
yours," said I, glancing admiringly out
of the window. ' I looked towards her
as though expecting a reply. Bhe mere
nodded her head.
" Are there many such In the vicinity
among the hills ?" I persisted, looking
her in the face.
Bhe colored as though she were con
fused. I found out subsequently that
I was the first stranger that be had
dared to bring home for several years.
I saw by her organism that she was not
naturally a bad woman, divined at once
that she had vowed perpetual silence at
the unkind words of her husband, and
that it only needed but a single word to
break the spell that rested upon her.
I continued my engineering, making
all manner of domestic enquiries re
garding the children, of whom she ap
peared very fond, but could not elicit a
word from her. I next alluded to her
husband and our old acquaintance, and
in the course of my remarks made some
reflections in a playful way upon the
slight blemish in one of his eyes the
only fault In his really handsome face.
I saw a feeling like chagrin flit across
her brow, and a moment after, when I
praised him, a pleased expression effaced
the cloud.
- " Aha !" said I to myself, " here are
pride and affection, at any rate; these
springs have not dried up, and I think
that language may yet be unsealed."
A day passed, but nothing transplied
save maneuvers. I have never tried so
hard to make myself attractive as on
this occasion, and felt that I had suc
ceeded when on the second morning she
greeted me with a smile and extendetf
her hand to me as I came from my
chamber. I chatted and rattled on about
tfie town and Its splendors, told of new
Improvements, changing fashions,
crinoline and lovely bonnets, all of
which wan listened to with evident In
terest. HUH she would not speak, con
found it ! I trembled for my spurs. Home
thing must be done.
" Mrs. Homers," Bald I very suddenly,
" will you allow me to look at the palm
of your hand ?"
Bhe extended her hand very readily,
and I gazed upon It as though I were a
wizard engaged in some trick of necro
mancy, involving the fate of the house
hold. Looking In her face,I relinquish
ed her hand and sighed deeply. Bhe ap
peared surprised, and seemed as if ex
pecting me to say something.
" You may well be surprised at my
conduct," I said, " but your surprise
would be overwhelming could I dare to
tell you the motive of it. I cannot do
this without compromising others. I
may say, however, that In your hand I
discern a power that may be employed
for immenso good. There are lines In it
that meet and diverge, and come near
together again without meeting. There
is a mystery!" I looked at the hand
again, rubbed my forehead, as though I
were much perplexed, and went out ab
ruptly. I saw her face depicted In the
glass as I passed out, and it bore the ex
pression of great wondor.
' How fur is It to the top of Rattlesnake
Hill, Homers ?' I asked at dinner time,
as we sat at the table.
" About fifteen miles ; why?" he re
plied and asked.
" Because I am going there to-night.
I must be there precisely at midnight. I
am going to gather a charm from the
old Battler's cave, through which I
hope to obtain a treasure that will com
pensate for all trouble and danger."
" You cannot go," said he, anxiously,
" the way Is one of peril. It is full of
ravines and pitfalls, and the serpents are
very numerous."
I saw that his wife shared In his un
easiness, and her looks said " don't go,"
plainer than words could speak.
"Bo much the better for my pur
pose," said I ; " were it not attended
with danger, that which I seek would
be valueless. I shall go ; and more
than this, I shall walk!"
Homers and his wife exchanged looks,
which I interpreted to mean : " Well,
isn't he a queer one !" and after a few
moments at the table I left the house,
telling Homers that I should be back by
morning. I accordingly struck out for
Rattlesnake Hill, accompanied by his
uttered blessing and his wife's inarticu
late benlson ; but when I reached the
first brook, I made my cane into a
Jointed fishing rod, and indulged in the
finest sport. The trout never bit with
more avidity; and having caught a
good string, I carried them to a farm
house not far away, and had them cook
ed for my supper. Late in the evening,
I returned to my friend Homers, and en
joyed a fine night's rest upon the hay
mow. At day-light I aroused the fami
ly by knocking at the door, but I greet
ed them with a simple shake of the
hand, gazing abstractedly at Mrs.
Homers. Bhe looked troubled.
" Somers," said I, " please leave me a
moment with your wife. It is a matter
you may sometime know, but not at
present. Have you not heard of my
wonderful developments as a seer?"
He said he bad not, but, without ex
plaining, I pushed him out and closed
the door. I knew that be would listen,
however.
" Mrs. Homers," said I, " my mysteri
ous movements are fast growing to a
climax. I last night plucked a dragon's
tongue from the mouth of rattlesnake's
den ; I laughed with the midnight
echoes, and stood face to face with the
darkness, in order to gain what I Bought.
Your hand, please; thank you. The
lines are brought nearer together, and it
needs but one word of yours in response
to an incantation that I shall utter, to
make my mystic charm complete. You
must say Yes, or all Is as nought."
I looked wildly as I spoke, and I saw
that she was, as it were, spell-bound.
" And this Is my Incantation," I con
tinued, " you swear that you hate Tim
Homers"
" No !" she almost shrieked.
Poor Tim had lieen listening. Fearing
harm to his wife from my supposed luna.
cy, and hearing the question I had put,
and the response, he rushed In, frantic
with Joy, clasped her In his arms, kissed
her over and over again, and Jumped
about the room with the wlldness of a
madman. She did not seen to compre
hend what she had done for an Instant,
but when she remembered that sho had
spoken, and divined the meaning of my
cabalistic efforts, she came near fainting
with her emotion.
" Thank God ! the spell Is broken!"
she said, " the hideous spell that has
bound me to silence and sorrow so
long."
" The mystical word having been
spoken," said I, " that has brought the
diverging lines together, I am free to tell
what I sought at midnight, on Rattle
snake Hill."
" What was it ?" they both asked in a
breath.
"A woman's tongue?" I replied;
"and since I have found it, never allow
any trifling cause to silence it again."
My theory was correct as to her not
speaking. She had vowed perpetual si
lence, and had kept her vow until
brought to utter one word by stratagem,
which had unsealed her tongue again.
The children were delighted and ran all
around the neighborhood telling every
body that their mother could talk, and
everybody rushed iu to ascertain what it
meant. For & time it seemed as though
anarchy and confusion had become in
stalled on Tom Somers hearthstone, to
make up the silence that had so long
brooded there ; but he bore it all good
humoredly. I left them a week after
wards, the happiest couple you over
saw, and ray midnight excursion to Rat
tlesnake Hill was often alluded to.
"Did you really go there?" Mrs.
Somers asked, the morning before I
came away.
"No!" Bald I, Imitating her emphatic
accent of the same monosyllable in re
ply to my incantation, and we had a
grand laugh about it; Tim Bomers
swearing my seership was the best ever
known, and my magic had wrought a
happier effect than that of all the fairies
he had ever seen exhibited at the mu
seum. "Good bye," said Burner, as he fin
ished bis story, and he left well sat
isfied with the manner In which he had
spent his vacation.
Why She Wanted a Divorce.
An Irish matron enters a lawyer's of
fice : " Is this the place,sur,where people
git divorces?"
" Yes, occasionally we engage in that
kind of business. What can we do for
you, madam ?"
" Faith, sur, I'd lolke to git a divorce
from me husband, Patrick."
" What is the matter with Patrick,
madam?"
"Shure and Pathrlck gits dhrunk,
sur."
"That's bad. But I hardly think
that alone will be a sufficient cause.
Have you no other complaint ?"
" Indade I have, sur ; Pathrlck bates
me."
" Yes, yes, I see. That adds cruelty
to drunkenness. But, madam, you do
not seem to Buffer much in your appear
ance from Patrick's cruelty. I think
you must find a stronger reason before
the Court will grant you a divorce."
"Well, sur, besides all that, I fear,
sur, that Pathrick isn't true to me." .
" Ah ! now, madam, you begin to talk
business. . What reason have you for
thinking that Patrick is unfaithful to -you?"
" Well, sur, I may sty that it's nieself
that that has a sthron suspicion that
Pathrick is not the father of me last
choild."
f-A Raleigh. N. C. negro invited
two of his friends to accompany him to
a swamp-pasture at night, where a
neighbor bad a fat heifer. They went,
found a heifer, killed her, divided the
meat and went home. Next day the
negro found that his cow was missing,
aud that In the darkness an unfortunate
mistake had been made. But when he
went to his friends to get pay for the
beef they refused to pay him, wherefore
he mourns sore.