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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times, 1892-5-12, Page 4`alslaft"s Fong;' Y EDMUND CLAIt41TQE s5"ED3!AN. + `o o' V4r d esd 1 •iT"lic•.'shE,t,.,r44di do n a What 'slaw on earth hath het y A taticer'syatr1 beneath, I wet. eyhere vvortns approaeltina be; For the wight that died o' Wednesday dust laid the light below, Is dead as the varlet turned to clay A score of year ago. Where's he that died t Sabha' day/ Good Lord. I'd not be he! The best of days is foul enough From this world's fare to flee; ADO the saint that died o' Sab'ba' day With his grave-turfyet to grow, Iedead as a sinner brought to pray A hundred y oars ago. Where's ho that died as'yesterday/ What better chance hath ho To clink the can and.toss the pot When this knight's junkets be/ For the lad that died o' yesterday Is just as dead- 0' ho 1. - As the scurvy knave inert laid away A thousand years ago. ''Strange it seems,when one firstdiscovers it, that Shakespeare put no ballad, tavern- eatch, or other song, in the mouth of pelf ter. clinking Sir John. Bee he certainlyleft us a most tempting refrain for one. -E, C. S. A BOYCOTTED BABY. CHAPTER IL—meet's WIFE. At home every one knew by the master's looks that something had happened ; but no one dared to question him, Not a word did he speak to his wife as to what had taken place. The dinner to Lord Polonius and his daughter was notagaiu mentioned. Per- haps itiatt ew's intention was to let his wife discover forherself • if so,he card it ed out long enough to cause hea goad deal 'of anxiety. James Bulbous, according to rule, had always dined at home on Sundays, usually staying from Saturday till Monday; but for two Sundays after these events he did not appear, nor did he write. Matthew Bulbous still was silent, and his wife was afraid to speak, She knew that her husband was aware of the reason of her son's absence. At last neither seeing nor hearing from her son, the mother's anxiety conquered her fear. "Matthew," aliesaid, following him as he event towarde his "study" one evening after dinner-" Matthew 1" He halted, and look- ed round. Her hand timidly touched his arm,andshe could hardly speak. "Jem,"she said, "is anything -the matter?" "As far as I know, he is quite well," he answered coldly. Hewalked away, leaving her standing in the middle of the hall, At the door of the stud) however, he stopped tad thought for a while. "Come with me," rte then said.; " I have something to tell you, ;llrs, Bulbous followed her husband into the rooto, and sank into a chair, trembling. She knew he had ill news to communicate, mad Matthew Bulbous showed little consid. ;!ration for her feelings in his method of tell - hag it. You want to know about your son." he laid. " Very well. I'll soon tell you all. 1 snow, and I daresay you will think it enough -of the kind. He hasbeenmarried for six or seven months." She gasped, and slightly raised her hands with a gesture of dismay. Then, clasping ;hem tightly, she stared at the husband, who proceeded ; " Who or what is she ! Of rourae, as a mother and a woman, you are deeply interested to know. Who she is, I cannot tell. What she is -or has been -I can tell. Your son's wife" -- "Matthew 1" She leaped up with a cry this gentle and timid woman ---and stood panting before him, with heaving bosom Ind blazing eyes. Matthew Bulbous was startled, but only for a brief time; his big hard eyes and set face soon reduced her, and she sank in the chair with a moan. "If you doubt it, send for him and her. She'll come to you quick enough ; but take :are of yourself ! How would you like to see her in your house -your son's wife - beside your daughter --in her painted and impudent ugliness, in her tawdry finery and rags? Why, woman, to look at her," he exclaimed, extending his arm towards the door, as though his son's wife were standing there-" to look at her is to feel sick ! A creature you would cross the road to avoid -a degraded animal, whom your very avoidance wculd rouse to tear and claw you. Yes, send for her, by all means ; one interview will be enough." "Jem, Jem, Jem 1" murmured the poor 'Woman, sobbing. It was indeed harder to her than to her husband to realise that the young man could have fallen into such folly, and she felt the agony of which her husband was insensible. He had been lured into it -trapped into it -dragged into it. It was blasphemy against nature to suppose that he had vol- untarily done such a thing, with all his faculties at his command. -Mrs. Bulbous, after this, was practical enough to mourn her son as dead. She knew he should never pass his father's door again. Week passed after week, and no- thing was heard from him. His name was never mentioned. He was dead and gone out of their lives. His chambers had been given up -as the mother learned in some indirect way -and he had disappeared. The room James Bulbous had been in the habit of occupying when he slept at Black- heath was locked up now -looked by Mr. Bulbous himself, who kept the key of it. The night he locked it there was a little in cident which is worth relating. There were several photographs on the table, framed ; the mother and sister, some friends, and that of a very lovely girl with dark eyes. Mr. Bulbous examined this curiously for half a minute, holding it in his hand ; with the other hand he turned over a small heap of photographs of noted persons, such as you see in shop windows. "An actress -or a dancer -or one of that sort," he remarked, having another look at the picture, and throwing it on the heap with the others. "I never thought he was that kind of fellow." Two days before Christmas, be had a brief note from his brother Joseph -which was the first communication between thein since that clay at Chelsea -inquiring wheth- er Matthew still meant him to emigrate. Matthew seemed to have forgotten the pro- ject; but he sunt a message to his brother to come to the office at three o'clock the next day. Punctually to theininute Joseph was there, and the clerk was sent out of the room. "If you still mean it," observed Joseph with the manner of a man resuming an iu- terrupted conversation, "I would prefer • New Zealand. The climate is better, and i couldn't go to. Canada for months yet. 1. don't care for Canada." "As you pleass," said Matthew inditfer- • ently. "Let it be New Zealand, then; and as you ate In a hurry to go, the sooner the better. Go to the tailor's and order an out- fit. I'll see to the rest." Then there was. a pause. There seemed no more to be said on the particular subject. After a while, Joseph inquired concerning the health af his brothers's wife and daugh- ter., then (;e: -are was another pante. At last Matthe„" Asked # Joseph know anything !,bout "I didn't like to mention his name first; Matthew," ho ans'vered, "Yes; I saw him last night. He supports himself by writing for the papers and, things now." "Yes, Anything else?" "Well -his wife is"-- "S top 1" Joseph stopped very quickly, and looked at his brother. Matthew's face was dark, but presently it cleared, and he observed: "I feel no interest in that quarter. I asked about Jem. I didn't want to hear about her." u w ' t th. -,ough-t you night be interested to kno- " That there's a baby ?" said Matthew, with a grin that showed his mouth to 'great disadvantage, "I'm sure I'In delighted !" "To know," continued Joseph, not heed- ing the interruption, "that Jem's wife is - dead." Matthew Bulbous leaped to his feet. He drew back the chair•, and looked intently at his brother. '" Dead did you say ? When did she die? What did she die af? There's no mistake about this?" "Died yesterday morning. Found dead in her bed. Heart disease, the doctor said. No mistake at all, Mattbew. as you may see for yourself if you like to attend her funer- al to -morrow." • "I attend her funeral? I'd see the woman -ahem ; well, that sort all end that way. I'm not a bit surprised," he observ- ed, with a deep -drawn sigh of relief. He could net sit on the chair. now. He walked about the room with his hands us his pockets. Mr. Matthew Bulbous was powerfully excited, for the liberation of his son was fraught with momentous possibili- ties. But as Joseph was sitting there, e ye - In him with a curlous interest,and vai in g to be sent away,Matthew ev hadt come back to him, " You may come over to Blackheath to- morrow, if you like," he said, "after the funeral. You are going to the funeral, I suppose? " "Yes, I'In going." "Come over after the funeral, As it will be Christmas Day, you may stay for dinner if you like. What hour is the funeral to be? „ " Two o'clock,' "Come aver immediately afterwards. I shall expect you at .four. Have you any money ?" He took a few sovereigns from his waist- coat pocket and threw them on the table. Joseph Bulbous picked thorn up and went away. After his brother's departure, Matthew Bulbous sat down and leaned back in the chair with his large eyes staring vacantly at the inkstand an the table. His senses were unconscious of outward things -even of the absence of the clerk, who was idly waiting outside to be summoned back to his work. Bulbous was filled with deep and absorbing joy. Jem's wife was dead, The detested obstacle to his ambitious projects was removed. It was not unreasonable to suppose that the event must be a happy re- lief to the young man himself. The experi- once would chasten and subdue him, and generally be good tor him. After just a lit- tle delay, sufficient to wipe out the last miserable vestige of the late wife's memory, the young man would be ready to accept with gladness his father's schemes, J em's wife was dead. Oh, the silent and mighty upheaval of Matthew Bulbous's et;ergies, paralysed for the time by his sou's unfor- tunate marriage, now that friendly Death had undone it, in fairly good time! Every- thiug would, and should come right now - now, that Jetn's wife was dead, Matthew's action was prompt. Jumping into a cab he drove to Lord Polonlus's club, and found that nobleman there. His lord- ship received him civilly, but curiously. Lady Jessalinda was quite well, he politely assured Mr. Bulbous ; and then the latter proceeded to business, stating the case briefly and clearly. At firstthe Earl listen- ed with an affectation of polite indifference; but he soon showed his interest. Mr. Bul. bous explained very plainly the folly of his son, and the bitterness of his repentance, and assured Lord Polonius that the young man was ready now to do his part with proper spirit to promote the early realiza- tion of the project upon which they were both so cordially agreed a few months ago. Bulbous did not put his thought in words, but he felt no apprehension of his son's ma. trimonial prospoets having been interfered with by the addresses of another suitor in the interval. ell -ah -really, Mr. Bulbous, it re- quires consideration," observed Lord Polo- nius gravely. "Why should it?" Mr. Bulbous asked, the case not being one for sentiment. "It has been considered already in all its points. Unless, indeed;" he added, as an act of politeness of which he privately did not see the necessity, "unless Lady Jessalin- da"-- " Yes, that's it," said his lordship quick- ly; " we do not know exactly how Lady Jessalinda will regard it. Ladies are sensi- tive of such an experience, and as a rule do not prefer newly -made widowers. We must take all this into consideration." Matthew Bulbous, anxious as he was about his project, began to stiffen. He sus- pected that this clever old peer was laying himself out to exact further pecuniary con- cessions. "Do you propose to reopen the 'matter with Lady Jessalinda, my lord ?" he asked, with ominous coolness. "I did not mean to leave any doubt as to that," said Lord Polonius, ,vho, from his own private intereats, was as anxious as Mat- thew Bulbous to carry out the project ; is as to the result that there may be a little doubt. I only meant to imply that, natur- ally, it will be less easy to win Lady Jessa- linda's consent now than it was a few months ago." r.,, In private, Matthew Bulbous was not ko sure about this ; but still, women were women, and there was no counting on their whims. Lord Polonius, in conclusion, promised to drop in upon him later in the afternoon, and Mr. Bulbous took his depar- ture. At six o'clock his lordship called. " I have spoken to Lady Jessalinda,"said Lord Polonius in a confidential whisper, ""and I think we may venture to hope that -ah matters may in time -all -not impossibly resume their former footing. Of course we must allow a little time, so as to forget the -a certain episode. Then, we may proceed again." "That will do," said. Matthew Bulbous, understanding aright the meaningconveyee by the Earl's circumlocution. "How long will it take ?" "Well, as to that, we canla7 down noth- ing definite. Now, if your son would go abroad for a while"— "He's going," said Mr. Bulbous prompt. ly; " but the gnestion is how long is he ie stay abroad'?" " lie can be recalled when itis consi'i ere.- judicious." re -judicious." said f,,rd Pnlnnins. " t3 course he will keep yrs, .. culla of h' address. I do not think." b,.`e 1 ln"l lo"-- ing his voice again and cit• .r . + ing Mr. Bulbons's band, " h e ", . i." no, .i very long." Matthew gave a gratified amVe r vr; ' • our American cousins would deteribe as o, large-dimeusione ; but the next moment se observation casually made by Lord Poionihs quickly changed the expression of his faee, " Of course," his lordship observed, pull- ing on his gloves, "there is hardly need to mention it, but of course the understanding is entirely upon the assumption that there is no surviving issue of the -the marriage?" These were ominous and startlings words, because the Earl meant them, and they sug- gested a possibility of which Matthew had not thought before. But the situation was critical and he was equal to it. " No, my lord," he auswered with confi- dence, "' there is no child of that marriage." "Ah, that is satisfactory, I trust every- thing verything will go on well now, said the Earl ;. and then he took a gracious farewell of Mr. Bulbous for the present, Matthew Bulbous went home in high spirits. His old luck had not deserted hitn after all. He felt himself to be a man who could not fail. He might have known" him- self better than to have felt beaten by Jem's marriage. Here was the demonstration that he was still the same successful roan ! The °introit bells were ringing as be walk, ed up the frosty road from the station. As a rule, it was a noise be hated •, but to -right the bells pealed a tune that gladdened his heart, "Jem's-wife-is-dead 1 Tom's -wife -is -dead dead dead! Jem's wife -is -dead dead dead DEAn 1" So the bells rang out in the clear frosty. sky. Matthew Bulbous laughed, and wished theta a Merry Christmas. At dinner, his wife and daughter were struck with the exuberance of Ilia spirits. After dinner, he made Agues play several "lively" pieces on the piano -an instrument he only less than church bells-mada sailsomething aboutheranew and. For the keys gave out the same carol as the bells, no matter what she played.. Later on, he called his wife into his study, and exultingly annonuced the great news to her. • The result startled him. " Matthew 1" she exclaimed, with natur- al horror, " surely yen are not rejoicing over the poor creature's sudden death I" "Surely I am, though. Pray, why shouldn'b I ?" he demanded defiantly. " It is wicked= -horrible :No, Matthew," his wife said with a shudder, "she is dead, and all enmity." " I have no enmity," he growled. "' She wasn't a fit subject for enmity, But I say what I feel, and I cannot but feel glad. Have you no thought for your son ? Are you sorry for his release ?" But his wife, without further word, left the room, and Matthew Bulbous put down his pipe, pushed away the half -consumed toddy, and stared angrily in the fire. When he was angry, it was a sign be was conscious of having made a mistake. Undoubtedly, he was glad of the woman's death, and be- lieved he had a right to be glad; but perhaps the exhibition of his joy was nob exactly proper. After all, Join's wife was deed,and could do no further harm. As the harm which she had done was being happily reme- died, it might have been better to ignore the fact that she had ever existed, And con- sidering her miserable life and miserable end her death was probably an unworthy and indecent subject for exultation. Matthew Bulbous was a coarsely -bred man, not free froin superstition, and at heart a coward. Hence the words of his wife disturbed him, and howsoever he might hams despised his son's wife when living, he was not so euro that the dead could be treated with the same impunity. In fact, he un- easily felt that on the whole it was best to leave the dead alone. In the fadingembers of the fire, the wasted and rigid face of the poor creature who had already passed betore her Judge met his eyes oftener than ha cared. With the fire, his energy of mind seemed to sink also, lower and lower as the time passed, Just as the chimes of midnight startled hien, as from a troubled sleep, the most ex- traordinary thing came to pass that ever happened to Matthew Bulbous. The door opened, and a female figure glided into the room. The lamp was turned low, and he could not see her distinctly; a shawl hung over her head, half concealing her face, and the gloom hid the rest of it; but he ex- perienced a strange and unaccountable sense of recognition. He was convinced he had seen the face before -he knew not when or where -though he certainly did not see it now. She did not speak for some time, but stood before him in a silent and expectant attitude, as though he had sent for her, The strangest thing was that he knew this to be the apparition of his son's wife, while at the same time it was certain that the in- visible face was not the face of the dead woman. Jem's wife bad been so much .in • his thoughts, that this sudden visitation took him, in a manner, at a great disadvantage. But it was nevertheless a situation of a character with which he was not well fitted to cope. Some time elapsed, therefore, be- fore he could bring himself to address her with an inquiry, iu a respectful and con- ciliatory torso, as to her identity and busi- ness. She turned slowly toward him and told him (as he expected) who she was. This confirmation, in spoken words, of his previous conviction had the effect of disturbing his mental equilibrium still further. In vain, rallying his courage, he assured her she was mistaken -that Jem's wife was dead, and was to be buried at two o'clock next day -that she had been found dead in her bed, dead of heart disease, brought on by her own conduct, as the doctor said. This discharge of hard facts and exact information seemed not to affect her in the smallest degree. Then it occur- red to hien to summon the butler, and he rang the bell with nervous energy. The effect amazed him, but seemed not to dis- e•incert his visitor in the least. Tho butler and other servants were either not in the house, or they were buried in the sleep of the Seven Sleepers, or they were all dead. For the bell rang loud and long down the passage, up the stairs, through all the rooms in the house, and finally passed up the chimneys, and died away in the sky ; but no person answered it. Matthew Bulbous listened to this ex- traordinary performance with fear perspir- ing from every pore. He felt now there was nothing left but to ask his visitor humbly to state her business. He abjectly pleaded that'he was tired and wanted to go to bed. Then the dark reproachful eyes settled upon him, from out the shadow, with a gentle scorn which caused him to look another way as she delivered her ;nes sage. They had been happy, her husband and she, and did not want Matthew Bul- bous's money. He .had cast off his son be- cause he failed to marry him to a grand lady. He was rejoicing now because the son's wife was dead and the grand lady might still become his wife. The vivito; knew all Matthew's thoughts and schemes. ^ry well ; but she added, with a move. .^nt that made him start, that site hirci Ott •a baby, and would hold him tc. ry n"1ut for ib. " According as you are •;;r,rl end just to it, I will b3 merciful lc nit. It lies no mother, and you mast sup "v my place I" A dim apprehension of consequences lik' Ly to itrise from the existence of a baby pas„:. i cd like a cold wave over Matthew Bulbous. Did she know the assuranee he had given Lord Polonius, and was she warning him? Did she mean that, to supply her place, .he was to got Jem immediately married to Lady Jeasalh;da? There were doubts on this point ; it was contrary to all experience of her sex that she should be anxious to be. quickly succeeded by another wife, and to place her baby on the bosom of a stepmother; and it was extremely doubtful whether Lacly Jessalinda would consent to dedicate herself to that maternal office. But he gave his solemn promise bo look after the child ; and as he spoke the words, there was a knock at the door. Looking up, be discovered that his visitor was gone. With the instinct of a man of business, his first thought was whether she had heard him make that promise con- cerning the baby, He would have given a thousand pounds to be certain she had not heard the words. Could she possibly, he askedhimself, have heard them, seeing that she was gone when he looked up? The appearance of the butler at the door, inquiring if his master wanted any- thing further that night, gave him a con- siderable start; and he rose to his feet. quickly, looking hard at the spot where the visitor bad been standing during the late interview. r.. ” No, Perks," he answered, absently, drawing a deep respiration. "" I -I believe 1 have been asleep 1" But the conv lotion that he had been dream- ing did not restore a tranquil mind. All night through his thoughts were haunted withshadowy fears. Than fece, hidden from physical perception, but still familiar though unaccountable, was no trick of fancy. And he could by no effort rid him sel f of the fear that thebabymight be a dread reality, it al y, worse to face than the ill- starred inerriage which it, sprang froin-a reality that would heve to he boycotted" with vigour and thoroughness. (To BE CONTINUED, crsD, ) A frightful Example: Teacher--" What is the meaning of Elio word ' contiguous'?" Pupil-"Duniio," Teacher-" It means 'touching.' Give au example of sentence containing the word." Pupil (after a prolonged mental struggle) "Tho " Babes in the Wood' is a very eon. tiguonsStory." When Baby was sick, we cave her Caatorie, When she was a Child, she cried for Castoria. NVhen she became Miss, she clung to Castoria, :Veen she lied Children, she gavotheui Castoria, As the shadow of the clouds glides over the fields and leaves no trace behind, so does evil over pure lives. Good breeding is the result of much good sense, some good nature and a little self- denial for the sake of others, and with a view to obtain the same indulgence from thein. eSIS. NOT a a ur gativo Medi eine. They are e 13a0oD llwunl:n Tasxc and Nucor sraoceott, as tb ey elm!). in a condensed form the Substances actually needed to on rich the Blood, cutin,, all diseases comiul from Poon and `i'AT SET' BLOOD, or from VITIATED RuxconS lu tho BLoon, and also invigorate and Buten IIP the BLOOD and SYsTEat, when broken down by overwork, mental worry,diseas^ excesses and indiscre- tions. They have a SPEen'IO Acexces on the SEXUAL STsrxitc of both men and women, restoring LOST 'noon nd correcting a,. IIIREQt!LAniTlira and SGDrmmsrOISL EVERY MAR Whof!ndshismentalfac- ulties dull or tailing, or his physical powers slagging, should take these PIz.Ls. They will restore his lost energies, both physical and meatal. EVERY WEAN should take them. They_ cure all sup- pressions and irregularities, which inevitably entail sicluiess when neglected. Y®UNO 83 sbouldtake these PmxsEtd They will cure the re- sults of youthful bad habits, and strengthen the system. Y®UND WOMEN should tape them. 641 a These Puss will make them regular. For sale by all druggist, or will bo sent upon receipt of price (Te. rer be -.1, by ad' reesin 2'EE DZZ. r ' '' 1" C4 for infants and Children. "Castoriais sower adaptedto children that I recommend iters superior to anyprescription tuownto me." H. A. Ancnsr., M.D., 111 SQ. Or ord $t„ Brooklyn, N. Y. " The use of 'Castoria' is so universal and its merits so well known that it seems a work of supererogation to endorse it. Few are the intelligent families who donotkeep. Castoria within, easyreach," CsttLoslas New Yor City. 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