The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1867-01-09
January l, 1867.

January !, 1867.
The First QUARREL.
From Once o Week.
"Sakes alive what looking room!
declare, George Graham, if YOU arm
enough to try the patience of Job! l dom
believe there is another woman living ha
to bear what do Who'd ever think tha
l came in here after breakfast and worked
good hour putting things to rights Ant
now, what does it look like?"
Tears stood in the little wife's eyes ant
her face heightened out till you would hay,
thought she had just heard of death.
"What is it, Susie? What's up now
What does uhat look like?" And Mr.
Graham turned carelessly, and good ma
turedly too, from the double-leaded article
on Reconstruction, which he had been sc
earnestly reading, that though he had
heard, he had scarcely comprehendcd word
of the complaint.
! That's just like you, George! If ]
were to tell you the house was on fire, you'd
only look around and say where, Susie?' u
| lie laughed hearty laugh it was, too
clear and ringing; laugh that many a
wife would have treasured up as men dc
pearls and precious stones.
1t nettled Mrs. Graham, and she said
sharply, ''if you'd open your eyes, you'd d
see what does what look like"
He rubbed them briskly and then peered
around. 81 declare, Susie, l don't know
what you mean. The carpet is swept, the
furniture busted, the lamps trimmed, the
fire bright-what is it? can't see for the
life of me anything wrong
"You can't! No, of course you can't !
See there, and there, and there, and there, 81
and she pointed rapidly, her emphasis
growing more inclusive each time, to his
heavy overcoat which lay in tnmbled mass
on the lounge; to his hat which was lodged
basket; to his rubbers which were roasting
on the stove hearth, and to his gloves
which had demurely settled themselves on
the mantle-piece.
II see. see, Susie, but then you know
that l am careless, good-for-nothi ng sort
of fellow who never had any bringing up.
and you must make allowances, my DEAR
and tossing the paper on the table, he
caught her hand and drew her gently upon
his lap and said soothingly as one might
talk to Il fretful child, "don't be SO cross
now, pet, cause don't mean anything
bad, you know. Put up your lips and let
me kiss away that pout.''
But the lips were not put up to meet the
touch of those bearded ones. Instead,
they assumed risidity, squareness, immo-
bility.
"IMust have the lecture first wiley, be-
fore l can either give or claim a kiss
Well, out with it then. The sooner I'm
whipped the sooner I'll stop hurting, as l
used to say to the boys when the school
master was after me with the rod of cor
rection. ''But Sasie," and here his tones
which had SO far been iocular, assumed a
touching earncstness, II don't like this be-
ing scolded every time I come into the
house. I've borne it SO far patiently, but
it is wearing on my temper. shan't be
able to hold it much longer, I'm afraid.
shall scold back and then we'll quarrel,
and thcn-our home will be no home, but
shall say it, Susie?-what too many
homes are, nothing more nor less than
cheap editions of hell ITSELF"
''But George, how can help it. You
do try me terribly"
"Ilow, Susie?"
"Why, by never putting your things
where they belong. I was brought up to
have a place for everything, and every
thing in its place, and it worries me to
come in from the kitchen, tired and hot,
and then find the setting.room looking so.
| like to have things neat and orderly.
"But you know we can't have all we
want in this world, Susie, and is it worth
while for you to fret your life away Just
because | can't always think to put my
gloves in my pocket, and hang up my coat
and hat, and leave my rubbers out in the
entry?"
That word g fret was an unfortunate
one it stung her and she said bitterly,
+" but you nerer think, George. You come
rushing in like whirlwind, and toss your
things pell nell every which way, and if
they are ever picked up and put in their
places, it is not you that do it, and I'm
getting tired of it. l can't stand 1t any
longer"
:'What will you do, Susie?" There was
severity in his tone now."
"Do? Why won't stand it. l won't
be any mans slave" and the black eyes
flashed defantly.
"Did ever ask you to be my slave?'
Out WudG clSc dIl l GOll llkc one
from morning till night to do up the work
and put things in order, and you come in
and undo all just as I've got through. 1t
is enough to make saint swear"
She was excited now; she hardly knew
what she said.
'And what am I?' he retorted. eff
you're slave, I'm one quite as much
Who earns every cent that's brought in :?
Who pays the rent and buys the fuel, and
lays in the provisions? Who clothes Mrs.
Susan Graham, I'd like to know?'
II earned my own clothes once, and l
can do it again, George Graham, if it is
necessary, and no thanks to you or any
other man."
''It is pity she hadn't kept on earning
them herself. Then she'd never had to
pick up and put away her husbands $
things, and he-well it wouldn't be gem
tlemanly to say it."
"Out with it sir. Never spoil Joke for
relations sake"
"And he wouldn't have caught Tartar,
| wish was r'
''Are you in earnest, sir?'
IL earnest, madam
"Ihen nerhanS we'd better narto