Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-12-04

Like all men who are venturing beyond
their depth, Job Poison Was forced to make


their depth, Job Poison was forced to make
up in bitterness what he lacked in power.
At first his wife was astoundsd; but when
she ssw that he kept his eye upon the fire,
not daring to raise them toward her and
when she saw that his teeth we're closely
shut, and his head cooked over to ono side,
shs truth flashed upon her. She was wos
man of quick. keen perception, aad she knew
that he had been down to the store, and she
knew who were in the habit Of congregating
there II was just AZ plain to her percep.
lion, as though she had heard Sam Shute
and Tom Burnhanl ventilating their stories Of
domestic philosophy. fs IS, .sasss ss,x...
JOB" she enquircd very quietly, "what
are my duties ?" |
Now job Poison had put hia foot into It
and he must not back down.. He Was not 4
diplomat, and he answered bluntly and
Your duty Is 10 obey your husband !;
" and, !" he added, 6xing himself firmly in his
seat, |" hope you will do il" #5ta
Do you mean that you are going to turn
over new leaf In your iamily " inquired
Mrs. Poison. "# 4 's+
That's it exactly" cried job. "You've
hit it tho first time" -ss.
And you are to be master'" .s4
AN"
"And hereafter you want none Of my
suggestonst" sFa 'f
Hereafter I shall pay such attention
to your suggestions as | may think they
merit"
Mrs. Poison resumed her sewing.
Poor, dear little mani" She did not
say this aloud; but she thought it to herself
A quiet smile stole over her pretty face, and
she patted her trim foot upon the floor. She
had not the least thought Of being angry
with her husband-not the least in the world.
She knew his weakness; and she knew that
something had been thornint him.
Job" she said after she had reflected
few moments. :" am your wife. You are
. man, while am only woman. II is right
that you should command. am your most
humble servant. Give mo your orders as
you please but beg you to tteat me
kindly" ..t''
And then, with sober face and bended head
Sarah pursued her work. r
What in the world WAS Job Poison to say
nowf He had never heard his wife speak
70 sadly before. He sat upon ncttles. lie
got up and went to the closet and finally
he left the house. lie went to the barn and
examined the beam over the tie.up. 1t was
loose, and he saw at once that it ought to be
fixed; but he would not do il then-it wo'd
look too much like being governed by his
wife. By and by hs went around and look.
ed at the steps at the front door. They ces-
tainly needed fixing, but he would not do the
job until after dinner His wife had told him
that he had better do it before dinner. II he
put it off till afternoon, that would show that
no was not controlled by his wife. vF.
For an hour and half Job Poison loafed
around the barn and shed like man who
knew not what to do with himself. ="
The door steps and the tie-up beam tronb-
led him. lie knew that they ought TO be
nxed; but he could not turn his back 50 soon
upon the new road.
At length the dinner horn sounded, and
Job went in and took his seat at the table
The old smile, that had, for fifteen years,
cheercd him morning, noon, and night, had
faded from his wifc's face, and she gazed up.
on him meskly and submissively.
"Will my master have some ofths sauce ?"
she asked. There was no irony in the tone
mo ,naleyolence: but she spoke quietly snd
politely.
Yes" said Job, should like sorre oi
IT,"
But bis dinner did not taste good 10 him.
He did not feel at home. lie felt, to use one
form Of his own thought, like cat in a
strange garrett" After dinner he went out
and smoked in the shed and then he went
in and fixed the door step. This was finish
cd about the middle Of the afternoon, and
from then until supper time he worked OH
his wood pile. At the supper.table he felt
more nervous and uneasy than he had done
at dinner Once or twice he ventured to rsisc
his eyes to his wifs's face, bnt there was no
smile for hirn--none Of the old happy look.
This was more than Job Poison had been
prepared for He had--or supposed he had
screwed his courage up to the point of
meeting his wife's show Of temper. In fact,
he had . store Of harsh, commanding words,
already arranged to hurl back at her when
she should dare to question his authority, or
offer 10 treat him with contempt. But he
had not planned for meeting such an smer-
gency a. this He had announced bis inter-
ton of governing his wife, and she had taken
him at his word Whist should he do ! How
should he commencei What sort of q task
had he before him3 As he sat in the chin
ney corner, after the evenings chores had all
been done, smoking his pipe, he felt very
much like man who has attempted to speak
in meeting, and has forgotten his speech
His wife had been in The habit, every even
ing, when she was well, Of singing and chat
ting over her knitting; but her voice was
now hushed.
At nine o'clock he arose to attend to his
cattle, He looked fcr the lantern but could
not fird it.
Where il my lantern? 2"
'' L guess II is where you left it," said So
rah. She laid down her knitting and went
out into the porch, whsre she found it sitting
on bench. She lighted and handed it 10
her husband.
"Sha1l I do anything more for you Job ?"
She WAS calm and passive be was choking
with .perPlexity.
That's alI.'' he gasped. And then he
went sway and fed the cattle, and got his
wood for morning.
What . c1ieeflcss evening il had been
"On the following morning job found the
same sedate face at the breakfast tabls-no
smiIes-no cheer-no social Chatting. After
he went out and fixed the beam At
The tie.up; and then he Was 1t bis wits end.
What would he have given at thst moment
for suggestion from his wife. By and by
! lucky thought struck him. He could break
lhe ice without lowering his own dignity
He went into the house with this purpose.
Sarah" he said, with his hands working
nervously in his pockets, .'what do you think
about having the loom put in order !"
~ don't think anything about II job, you
can do Is you think best"
!" But you know whether you want to use
It or not, don't your" Mr.. Poison exhibit
I'd . little feeling.
The wool is at your disposal job. II
you please to have some cloth made, will
spin and weave it. You have but to issue
oiders." Her voice was very low and calm,
and her bearitiG was respectful.
But" said Job, petulantly, and almost
losing his temper You know whsther the
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