Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-06-26

up, and feed her on bread and water, |
she dared to say she wouldn't do what
told her 7"
"A cosy little arrangement, Mr.. Pep
per-" said a soft voice in the door, jus
behind him.
Mr.. p. started up. and there STOOD
Mrs. P. right behind his chair, laughing
just as hard as she could. Mr.. Pepper
put on his severe look.
"St down in that chair, madam" he
said, pointing 10 the one he had jus
vacated, "whle have little convetsa
lion with you."
"Now | should be pleased 10 know
why you did not obey my orders this
morning, and where you have been all
the forenoon ?"
"Where | have been this forenoon
Mr., Peaper, have not ths-least objec'
ton 10 tell you; have beer to town do
ing little shopping. have purchased
some lovely napkins; jus, look a. them. If
said she, holding them up demurely for
his inspection. 81 only paid a dollar
apiece for them-extremely cheap, don't
you think so !" she added.
Mr.. Pepper was as,onished how she
dared TO turn the conversation in this
way, was mystery to him. Suddenly
his bottled wrath broke loose. Turn.
ing fercely upon her, he said:
"Betsy Jane, you disgust me, you
seem 10 make very light of this matter
but it is more seious than you imagine
as you will find TO your cost presently
If you do not instantly beg my pardon
IN submissive manner, | shall exert
my authority TO bring you to a proper
sense Of your misconduct, by imprlson'
ing you in one ofmy chambers until you
are willing to promise strict obedience
to my wishes"
At the close Of this very eloquent
and digni6ed speech, Mr.. Pepper drew
himself up to his full height, and sta
toned himself before Ms. P. ready to
receive expressions Of sorrow and pen.
itence he had no doubt that she would
fall down at his feet, and say
"Dear Philander, won't you please
forgive me this time, and lll never dc
so any more -
And he was going TO say, "Betsy Jane
you'd better not;" but instead Of doing
all this, what do you think she did p
Laughed at him right in the face
Mr.. Pepper was awful wrathy. He
spoke up in a voice Of thunder and
said:
"Mrs. Pepper, walk right up s'airs
this very minute, and don't you let lht
grass grow under your feet while you arc
going neilhei. You have begun you
antics in good season, Mrs. Pepper, bu
Ill have you to know that it won't pay
to continue them any length of TINT
with me, Mrs. Pepper. Again | com
mand you to walk up stairs"
"Well, really, Mr.. P, it is not at al
necessary for you to speak so loud
am not so deaf as all that comes to
but as for walking up stairs | have no
the leas, objection to doing so, if you
will wait till have recovered from my
fatigue; but | can't think Of doing 81
BEFORE"
"But you must, Mrs. P"
"Then all I've got to say is this, you'll
have to carry me, for ,con't walk one
step !"
Nj. P. looked at his wife for mo
mcnt with the greatest aslonishment
but as she began to laugh at him again
he thought TO himself:-
"She thinks won't do it, and hope'
to get off in that way but it won't do
up stairs she's got to go, if | do have
to carry her; SO here goes" and taking
the form of his lady in his arms, he soor
had the satisfaction Of seeing her safe
ly lodged in her prison, and carefully
locking her in, he stationed little red
headed youth on the front door.steps tt
attend to callers and also see that Mr.
P. did not escape; and then he betool
himself 10 a restaurant for his dinner
and after despalcins that, he huned ol
to his office, and was sovn engrossed il
business.
About the middle of the afternoon
our young sentinel rushed into the office
and said -
"Mr. Pepper had better run hom
Just as fast as he can, for that woman
what's shut up be making an awful rack
ct, and she be tearing around there, an
rattling things the dislressingest kind
and if she beant splitting up somethin
or other. then l don't know what split
tings be !"
Without waiting to hear anymore. MI
P. seized his hat, and hurried off hom
at most undignfed pace.
Opening the hall door he stole u
stairs as carefully as possible, and ap
: plying his eyes to the koyhole, he. bt
held sight which made hin fairly bo
} with rage. =,
Mrs. P. was sitting in front Of III
fire place, reading his love.letters. Tt
! one she was engaged in perusing
' that particular moment, was from
8 Miss Polly Primrose, who it appearo
had once looked favoratly on the su
Of Mr.. Pepper; but more dashin
n lover appearing on the scene, Miss 70
s ly sent him q letter Of dismissal, prom
!! ising her uudying friendship, accoalp!
d nying the some with lock Of her hal
e and some walnut meats.
e But it was not the love.letters alol
= that made Mr.. P. SO outrageous. /
o had been something Of a traveller