The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-01-06

For an hour and half Job Poison
loafed around the barn and shed like
man who knew not what to no with him
| self 9T TaH 81 aia ~ sd
The door steps and the tie-up beam
troubled him. He knew that they ought
to be fixed; but he couldnot turn his back
SO 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, hcheered him morning, noon and
night, had faded from his wife's face, and
she gazed upon him meekly and submis-
sively. hu
ssWill my master have some of this
sauce p she asked There was no irony
in the tone-no malevolenee; but she
spoke quietly and politely.
"Yes,'. said JOB, 81 should like some
of it,
But his dinner did uot taste good to
him. lie did not feel at home He felt,
to use one form of his own thought, "like
cat in 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, he worked at his wood pile. AT
the supper ia Bile he felt more nervous and
uneasy than he had, done at dinner. Once
or twice he ventured to raise his eyes to
his wife's face, but there was no smile for
him--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 temper. In
fact, he had store ofltarsh commanding
words, already arranged to hurl back at
her when she should dare to question his
authority, or offer to treat him with coz
tempt. But he had not planned for meet
ing such an emergency as this. lie had
announced his intention of governing his
wife, and she had taken him at his word.
What should he do How should he
commence What sort of a task had he
before aim? As he sat in the chimney
corner alter the evenings chores had all
been done, smoking his pipe, he felt very
much Ikea mau7 who had attempted to
speak in meeting, and had forgotten his
speech His wife hsd been in the habit,
every evening, when she was well, of sing
ing and chatting over her Knitting; but
her voice was now hushed.
At nine O'Clock he arose t5sattend to
his cattle He looked for the lantern but
could not find it.
ND'Where is my lantern p
Il guess it is where you left it. said Sa-
rah, She laid down her knitting, and
went out into the porch, where she found
u Sitting on a bench. She lighted and
handed il to her husband.
''Shall 1 do anything more for you,
,Joh 'foefF1.At uf -il3ta.1t9uss i-l ei s
She was calm and passive; he was
choking with perplexity s
That all, V he gasped. And then he
went away and fed the cattle, and got III
his wood for morning.
What a cheerless evening it had been
On the following morning Job found
the same sedate face at the break fast table
no smilcs-no cheer-no social chat
/ ting. After breakfast he went out and
/ fixed the beam at the tie-up; and then he
was at lis wits end What would he
have given at that moment for sugges-
tion from his WIFE He could not break
the ice without lowering hit own dignity
He went into the house with this pur-
pose.
SARAH he said, with his hand. work
ing nervously in his pockets, swhat dc
you think about having the lopm put il
order ~ g- ...-s..... -.~-....-
II don't think anything about it, Job
You can do as you think best"
But You know whether you want t.
useit or not, don't you?" Mr. Potsol
iexhibeted a little feeling. t.I,..#
The wool is at your disposal, Job
If you please to have some clothes made
will spin and weave it. You have bu
: to issue orders" Her voice was yer,
low and calm, and her bearing was re
spectfui. -
But" said Job, pleasantly and almos
loosing his temper You know whetEe e
the loom wants fixing
'.If it is your wish my husband, / viii
go and examine it. and report to you.
will do as you say. Only be kind to mt
and dou't expect me to anticipate you
wants. Shall go up with you now =
"Yes."
The loom was in the shed cham be
and thlther job led tho way Ills vii
pointed out to him what was necessary t
u be done and then left him to his work.
Dinner and supper r--cheerless and darl
Job Poison had gone the length of hi
: line. What in the world to do with hin
: self he did not know. How could b
work to advantage without the sugge'
: tions Of his wife? And when he can
: to think of it seriously what sort of
i piece of work he should make of it in a
n tempting to rule and govern a persc
s who knew more than he did, aud wi
g understood better what should be don
/ And, furthermore, how was he to ca
q back the light of those smiles, and ket
up the warmth of the old love =? VIII
o would his home be with that light al
re warmth withdrawn? Hss5Hs ahaa
= :. Job Poison took his pipe down fro
:, the little shelf ovor the. fire place, a,
!. filled it with tobacco. But he did n
:. Hight it then. He held it in his ha
=. ~ awhile, and finally laid it upon the ma
le tie. Then he went and stood before |
- wife, trembling like an eager child.
:. "Sarah, l want you to enjoy my smo
- l IL ,,