The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-12-03

have one"
Like all men, who are venturing beyonG
their depth, Job Poison was forced to make uL
IN bitterness what he lacked in power.
At first his wife was astounded but when
she saw that he kept his eye upon the fire, moi
daring to raise them toward her and when
she saw that his teeth were closely shut, and
his head cooked over upon one side, the truth
flashed upon her. She was a woman of quick,
keen PERCEPTION, and she knew that he had
been down to the store, and she knew who
were in the habit of congregating there. 1t
was just as plain to her PERCEPTION, as though
she had heard Sam Shute and Tom Burnham
ventilating their stores of domestic philoso-
ply.
Job she inquired very quietly what are
my duties ?'
Now job Poison had put his foot into it
and he must not back down. He was not a
diplomat, and he answered bluntly and square
ly: .-.-
Your duty is to obey your husband; and"
he added, fixing himself firmly in his seat, Il
hope you will do it."
'.Do you mean that you are going to turn
over a new leaf in your family p inquired
Mrs. Poison.
That's it exactly, cried Job. you've hit
it the first time"
And you are TO be master ~
81 AM"
"And hereafter you want none of my sug-
gestlons ?'
Hereafter l shall pay such attention
to your suggestions as may think they mer-
Mrs. Poison resumed her sewing.
Poor, dear little man" She did not say
| tlIc aloud hut aha %lo,-IE = - I,,,ole
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 thorning him.
Sob" she said, after she had reflected a
few moments. Il am your wife. You are a
man, while | am only a roman 1t is right
that you should command. am your most
humble servant. Give me your orders as you
please but l beg you to treat me kindly"
And then, with sober face and Bonded head,
Sarah pursued her work.
What in the world was job Poison to say
now? He had never heard his wife speak so
sadly before. He sat upon nettles. He got
up and went to the closet; and finally he left
the house. He went to the barn and examin
ed 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 it then-it would look too
much like being governed by his wife
BY and by he went around and looked at the
steps at the front door. They certainly need
ed fixing, but he would not do that until after
dinner. His wife had told him that he had bet
ter do it before dinner. If he putt off till af
ter moor, that would show that he was not CON
trolled by his wife.
For an hour and a half job Poison loafed
around the barn and shed like a man who
knew not what to do with himself.
The door steps and the tie-up beam troub-
led him. lie knew that they ought to be fix
ed but he could not turn his back SO soon up
on 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, cheered
him morning, noon and night, had faded from
his wife's face, and she gazed upon him meek
ly and submissively.
"WiIl my naster have some ofthis saucer
she asked.
There was no irony in the tone-no ma
levolence; but she spoke quietly and polite
ly.
''Yes said Job, " should like some of it."
But lis dinner did not taste good to Lin,
He did not feel at home. lie teit, to use one
form of his own thought, like a cat i'll 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 finished
about the middle of the afternoon, and from
then until supper-time,h he worked at his wood
pile. At the supper-table he felt more ner-
vous and uneasy than he had done at dinner.
Once or twice he v~entured to raise his eyes to
/ -, ,,;f,,o E,oo Int +lo,. ,,,o ,D c,.;I, 20. I,1,p
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 a store of harsh, commanding words,
already arranged to hurl back at her when
) she should dare to question his authority, OF
offer to treat him with contempt. But he had
> not planned for meeting such m emergency
as this. He had announced his intention o.
governing his wife, and shehad taken him at his
word. What should he do? How should he
commence? What sort of a task had he be
fore him? rs he sat i'll the chimney corner,
after the evenings chores had all been done
smoking his pipe, he felt very much like
man who has attempted to speak in meet.
: ing, and has forgotten his speech. His wife
had been in the habit, every evening. whel
. she was well, of singing and chatting Over
her knitting but her voice was now hushed
At nine O'Clock he arose to attend to his
cattle. He looked for the lantern but could
. not find it.
where is my lantern%'
{ Il guess its where you left it." said Sarah
She laid down her knitting, and went out in
: to the porch, where she found it sitting on q
D bench. She lighted and handed it to he
husband.
) : Shall l do anything more for you, JobY
! she asked.
She was calm and passive; he was choking
. with perplexity.
| That's ALL" he gasped. And then h,
{ went away and fed the cattle, and got in biz
wood for morning
u What a cherries evening it had been!
On the following mornidg job found the
Il same sedate face at the hreakfast-table-nc
= smiles-no cheers-no social chatting. After
breakfast he went out and liked the beam a
J. the tic, up and then he was at his wits end.
y What would he have given at that monIent
! for a suggestion from his wife. By and by
; a lucky thought struck him. He could broal
the ice without lowering his own dignity. H'
! 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 :"
y don't think anything about it, Job. 1or
Il can do as you think best"
"But you know whether you want to use il
or not, don't you? Mr.. Poison exhibited
little feeling.
The wool is at your disposal, Job. If YOU
= please to have some cloth made, I will spin
= and weave it. You have but to issue orders.
~ - Her voice was very low and calm, and he
~ bearing was respectful,
But" said Job, petulantly, and almos
/, loosing his temper. You know whether tn
= loom wants fixing"
( If it is your wish, my husband, | will g