The Placer herald., 1870-01-08


| have very simple question to ask you;
but shall have TO ask youn confidence.
will give you five dollars If you promise not
to repeat nv words until TO- morrow.
Well. sir, replied Cults. I sbould not ike
to answer any question that would make
any trouble among my neighbors. I have
my hands full, l can tell you, to keep out Of
scrspes now; but have done it, and haint
40 enemy 10 the world a. know.
But sir you need not reply to my quss-
ton, unless you are perfectly willing, said
The stranger. i'rs el r'1m fHea a' sr
Ask your question, said Cutls, and I will
not repeat it.
We'll. Mr.. Cults, l am laying fence on
the Brislsy place that l haye just bough,;
and was directed TO inquire Of you where
could buy cedar posts. A fellow in the
store said, Cuts will tell you if his wife will
let him; but she wont; sbs'l insist on telling
you herself and perhaps offer to drive with
you wherever you 60 to order them.
told them would see you and ask you
only; and the young fellows bet on it. They
are to give TO you ten dollars, and 10 two
or three widows in town a cord Of woad
each, II succeed in asking you this ques-
ton alone, aud making sure your wife don't
know my business ill after breakfast to-
morrow morning.
Cuts knew his wifs's standing too we'll
to feel very sensitive, and taking the bill
from the stranger, be smiled and said
III 90 with you to look out cedar posts
and keep dark, for the jokes sake; but
ufr shn la, ha
house ton ghl; for don't own it, replied
the good natured Cuts.
Suppose you 60 up to my place and see
to setting the posts, will send a boy to tell
her you had 10 60 Oft suddenly on = little
business, and will be back 10 the morning,
said the stranger.
III do that, replied Cutts, for I never
quarrel with her, but let her have her own
way. l don't want to worry myself about
trihes.
Good man, said the stranger. there are
no triflss in life. The smallest act is i'm
por.aut. and this easy good nature Of yours
will ruin your family. Battle that spirit to-
day, and next Sunday take your boys and
20 to the house OF God, whatever she says,
aud be a real mau-at the head Of your own
house and family.
1t is rather late to begin, said Cults shak.
ing bis head iu . way that would have warn.
ed othsrs from the trap in which his fee
were fast. You see the purse is hers, be
than her will 10 me. But will try 10 be-
giu anew, for her good as we'll as the chill,
drsn's. tf.f-.
The boy was sent with the message, but
the boy wasn't sharp enough. Maam Cults
discovered the whereabouts Of her lord,
tackled up and went after him!
All the way home and far into the night
she used her eoqusnce. both in psadings
and threat enings, to find out the mysterious
erraud of that hateful town nabob that h ad
come into the town to separate happy tam
lilies
But Cults yielded himself up 10 dumb
spirit for The uight; and no measures could
induce him to talk on any subject, lest she
should pry the mighty secret out of him.
About midnigh! sbs wore herself out and
went to sleep; bu. at break of day she be
gan again. lie then veutured to say, 'as
soon as breakfast is over, will break the
news to you. ...f ....n
You will never eat a morsel in my house,
can tell you, cried Xantippe, I'LL you tell
me what that ere man wanted of you.
Then you will wait good while TO hear
it, said Cuts, for have vowed l would new.
er tell it Till had eaten my breakfast and
with these words be went out
Madame Cuts endured tbs torture as
long as possible, and then got breakfast.
She called to he door to no one in partic-
ular, Come! ,..r ...r
But Cuts did not come. Aud after
awhile she went cut to the barn and found
him seated on an upturnsd half-bushel
measure, calmly pssliug and eating a raw
turnip.
1t does seem as if this here man had pos
sesssd you ! she cried. III never saw you
80 self wiled afore since took you home
Your breakfast is all cooling; do come 10.
Here was a point gained. Cut.s went in
az requested, and ate bis breakfast. When
that was over, madame settled herself back
10 her chair, with her face full Of eager ex-
pecta.ioo, and said:
Now begin. What did that ere man
wantl f.
lie wanted some cedar posts, replied
Cuts calmly, without looking up, and that
was all
II an arrow had struck madam Cults, she
could rot have manifested more surprise
and shame.
l am the laughing stock Of tbi, town, ad.
ded Cuts, "and from this hour turn over
a new leaf. am, hsncsforth. head OF my
family, and unless this house 10 made mine,
shall finish off room 10 the barn--whioh
10 mine land You will be welcome to share
it With me- II not, I will live there With
the boys, and you will fud me civil neigh
Dor.
Madam Cuts power was broken. Since
then the farm has been called John Cutt's
place, and be 10 the head Of the house.
The young man who been travelling about
At ly and ;nr,o off tho ir ain IN kisa his