Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-08-10
The First Quarrel.

declare, George Graham, if you
arn't enough to try the patience of
job! | don't believe there is another
woman living has to bear what | do /!
Who'd ever think that | came in here
after breakfast and worked a good
hour putting things to rights And
now, what does it look like ?"
Tears stood in the little wife's eyes,
and her face heightened out till you
would have thought she had just heard
of a death.
"What is it, Susie! What's up
now? What does what look like ?"
Mr.. Graham turned carelessly, and
good-naturedly, too, from the double
loaded articl q IN Rnnnnstr,,ntio,-
which he had been so earnestly read
ing, that though he had heard, he had
scarcely comprehended word of the
complaint.
"That's just like you, Georgel If
| were to tell you the house was on
fire, you'd only look round and say,
where, Susie ?"
He laughed; a hearty laugh it was,
too, clear and ringing; a laugh that
many wife would have treasured up
as men do pearls and precious stones.
at nettled Mrs. Graham, and she
said sharply, "If you'd open your eyes,
you'd see what does what look like"
| He rubbed them briskly, and then
Ipeered around ~ declare, Susie, I
don't know what you mean. The
carpet is swept, the furniture busted,
the lamps trimmed, the fire bright
what is it? | can't for the life of me
see anything wrong"
"You can't! No, of course you
can't! See there, and there, and
there and there" and she pointed rap
idly, her emphasis growing more in
Icisive each time, to his heavy overcoat
which lay in tumbled mass on the
lounge; to his hat which was lodged
unceremoniously in the middle of her
work basket; to his rubbcrs which
were roasting on the stove hearth, and
to his gloves which had demurely set
tied themselves on the mantle-piece.
Il see, | see, Susie, but then you
know I'm a careless, good-tor-nothing
r sort of u fellow who never had any
bringing up, and you must make al
: lowances, my DEAR" and tossing the
paper on the table, he caught her
: hand and drew her gently upon his
f lap and said Soothingly as one might
talk to a fretful child, don't be cross
now, pet, cause | didn't mean any
! thing bad, you know. Put up your
i lips and let me kiss away that pout.
7 But the lips were not put up to meet
: the touch of those bearded ones. In
] stead. they assumed rigidity, square
= ness, immobility.
"Must | have the lecture first, wife
before | can either give or claim &
kiss? Well, out with it then. The
sooner I'm whipped, the sooner it'll
Il stop hurting, as | used to say to the
d boys when the schoolmaster was af
ter me with the rod of correction
> But, Susie" and here his tones which
c had so far been jocular, assumed +;
!, touching earnestness. 81 don't lik'
o this being scOlded every time | come
into the house. I've borne it so fa
patiently, but it is wearing on my TEN
per. | Shan't be able to hold it mucl
longer, I'm afraid. | shall scold bacl
and then we'll quarrel, and then-ou
2 home will be no home, but,-shall
u say it, Susie ?-what too many home
st are, nothing more or less than cheal
r editions of hell itself"
= "But George, how can | help it
at You do try me terribly"
is "How, Susie ?"
"Why, by never putting our thing
where they belong. | was brought u
to have place, and it does worr
,, me to come in from the kitchen, tire
and hot, and then find the sitting roor
looking so. like to have things nea
u and orderly"
"But you know we can't have a
E we want in this world, Susie, and is
worth while for you to fret your lit
away because | can't always think t
put my gloves in my pocket, and han
up my hat and coat, and leave N
rubbers in the entry y
That word "fret' was an unfortuI
ate one; it stung her, and she said bi
terly. "But you never think, Georg'
. You come rushing in like whirlwin'
is. and toss your things pell-mell ever
e1I which way, and if they're ever pickle
is, up and put in their places, it is an
n, \. not you that do it, and I'm gettin
ss tired Of it. | can't and [ won't stan
it any longer"
(, "What will you do, Susie ?" Thel
oe was severity in his tone now.
ep "Do? Why I won't stand it.
90 won't be any mans slave" and tt
: black eyes flashed defantly. "Did
ever ask you to be my slave ?" I'll
u j mans eyes were flashing now.
''But what else am |? | toll Liz
Of one from morning till night to do u
the work and put things in order, an
you come in and undo it all, just ;
rt- I've got through. It's enough
make saint swear"
She was so excited now, she har
ly knew what she said.
, "What am I?' he retorted. "
ot you're a slave, I'm quite as much.-
to Who earns every cent that is broug
nd nd in? Who pays the rent, and bu
a a the fuel, and lays in the provisions
ur- II Who clothes Mrs. Susan Graha
IN, IN I'd like to know
ed, "She earned her own clothes, ono
ur- and she can do it again, Graham, if
BY is necessary, and no thanks to ye
Ap' ?" or any other man."
at is a pity she hadn't kept
" earning them herself. Then she