Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-07-01
TFrOm Oncc a MONTH";
The First Quarrel.

Sakes alive, what a looking room |
declare, George Graham, if you arn't
enough to try the patience of Job |
don't believe there is another woman liv-
ing 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 death
What is it Susie? What is up now ?
What does rhat look like?' And Mr..
Graham turned carelessly, and good
naturedly toe, from the double-leaded ar
ticle on Reconstruction, which he had been
so earnestly reading, that though he had
heard, he had scarcely comprehended a
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?'
He laughed hearty laugh it was too
clear aud ringing, a laugh that many a
wife would have treasured up as men do
pearls and precious stones.
1t nettled Mrs. Graham, and she said
sharply, If you'd open your eyes, you'd
see what does 1chat look like
lie rubbed them briskly aud then peered
around. L declare, Susie. | 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 9 ID ne eaG SSf anvSshdnGGr vSd Gr g5Gfse you
See there and there, and there, and there,
and she pointed rapidly, her emphasis
growing more incisive each time, to his
heavy overcoat which lay in a tumbled
mass on the lounge to his hat which was
lodged unceremoniously in the middle of
her work basket; to his rubbers which
were roasting on the stove hearth, and to
his gloves which had demurely settled
themselves on the mantel-piece.
L see, see, Susie, but then you know,
I'm a careless. good-for- nothing sort of
fellow who had 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 fretful child, Don't be cross
now, pet, cause l didn'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 rigidity, squareness, immov-
ability
Must | have the lecture first, wifey
before | can either give or claim a kiss?
Well out with it them. The sooner I'm
whipped, the sooner it'll stop hurting,
used to say to the boys when the school
master was after me with the rod of cor
rection. But Susie and here his tones,
which had so far been jocular, assumed
/ touching earnestness, don't like this be-
ing scolded every time l come into the
house. I've borne it so far patiently, but
it is wearing on my temper. L shan't be
able to hold out much longer, I'm afraid.
shall scold back, and then we will quar-,
rel. and then-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
try me terribly
Why, by never putting your things
where they belong [ was brought up to
have place for everything, and every
thing in its place, and it does worry me to
come in from the kitchen, tired and hot,
and then find the sitting-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 rub
bers in the entry?
That word fret was an unfortunate
one; it stung her, and she said bitterly,
But you never think, George You come
rushing in like whirlwind, and toss your
things pell-mell every which way, and if
they're ever picked up and put in their
places, it is L and not you, that do it, and
I'm getting tired of it. | can't, and won't
stand it any longer.
What will you do, Susie?' There was
severity in his tone now
DO? Why, ! won't stand it. Iwon't
be any mans slave and the black ewes
flashed defiantly.
Did | ever ask you to be my slave =
The mans eyes were flashing now.
But what else am L? toll like one
from morning till night to do up the work
and put things in order, and you come in
and undo it all just as I've got through
1t is enough to make saint swear.
She was so excited now, she hardly knew
what she said.
And what am p he retorted. III
you're a 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