John's Wife.

JOHN'S WIFE .

" GO John is married , said Dr . Moreland . "Had the small-pox—failed ^ J twice in business—lost all he invested in the Middlecomb mining stocks —and now , by way of a grand stroke , has committed the last blunder he can possibly be capable of—getting married ! Just like John . " Dr . Moreland was a bald-headed man , with aquiline featnres , sparkling eyes , and an iron-grey fringe of air around his temples—and , as the moneyed man of the familyall his relatives looked up to him with the utmost respect

, , not unmingled with a little awe ; for he had what is called a temper of his own . " He hopes you'll like it , uncle , " said John Moreland ' s sister , a little timid old maid of two or three-and-thirty . " Hopes I'll like it ! " repeated the irrascible doctor . " Why don't he commit suicide at once , ancl then send word to me that he hopes I'll be

pleased ? " " But she ' s a very beautiful girl . " " Beautiful ? " Dr . Moreland elevated his aquiline nose in double-distilled scorn . " And , of course , she'll want India shawls and sets of coral , and silk frocks to deck off her beauty—ancl where is John to get them ? " " And she is a poetess , Uncle Moreland . "

" Worse ancl worse ! " groaned the old man . " Burnt puddings , buttonless shirts , dust in all corners , ancl ink y fingers—a poetess ? Just like John ! " " But you'll call , uncle , wont you ? " " Call ? what should I call for ? " sharply demanded Dr . Moreland . I can't congratulate her on marrying John , for I think she is a fool to do it . I can't congratulate him , for I think he is a bigger fool still to entangle

himself with a simpering doll-baby of a wife who Avrites verses ! Bah ! I ' ve no patience Avith the folly of this world ! " " Yes , but uncle—" "My dear , " interposed Dr . Moreland , brusquely , "I ' m particularly engaged this morning , so perhaps you'd better go doAvn stairs . " " Yes , uncle , " said Koziah Moreland meekly . She was used to her uncle ' s rebuffs , and took them ivith a philosophy which Avas Avorthy of a better cause .

In spite of this vituperation , however , the Doctor did call on the bride . He rang the door bell at 99 Dolb y Square , at an earl y hour , as he chanced to be passing . " I'll catch her in curl papers , " said he to himself , his lips twirling with a malicious smile .

A little maid in frilled cap and white apron answered the door bell . " Keep a girl , eh ? ' " said Dr . Moreland , savagely . " A pretty way of economizing , that ! " The little maid sliOAved him into a sunny little parlonr with an open grate fire on the hearth , ancl hyacinths in the window , Avhere a very prett y young lady sat at her needleAvork . She rose to greet him—and he was a little disappointed to see no trace either of curling papers or ink y fingers .

" I suppose you are John ' s wife ? " said he . The young lady smiled . "Yes , " said she , "I am John ' s Avife . And I conclude that you are John ' s uncle , Dr . Moreland . " " What do you keep a servant for ? " demanded the doctor , plunging abruptly in medias res . " To do the work , " said Mrs . John , opening her eyes rather wider than usual .