The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-10-27
VOL. ".

can't"
"Oh- business may keep him lateI
to-day than usual, said Nellie.
"oh no; its nothing Of the sort. lie
I Says so rather often Of late, but its all a
ab. Your husband doesn't stay too,s
But he comcs late sometimes We have
10 wait hall an hour for him frequently,
I lie says its the busy season.
$50 lt Is, 80 il is,r said. "Thls is the
busiest season Of the year, am glad 10
see Peter late 90 dinner occasionally. for
know then that things are going vel"
And then, besides, there are 50 many
things 10 keep business man that we
don't think ot. argued the noble little
woman Of my choice
ooh, that's all esmmun, Nellie" said
Mrs Perkins, ''and YOU don't believe il.
NY husband has said those very words TO
me thousand times, and called me inoon-
sideFate because did not credit it,n
Why, it's business, Of course, my
dear; If il wasn't for business, YOU know,
they wouldn't 60 away at all "
Z" IL isn't business which Is keeping them
tonight. is il r.
/ Perkins saw her advantage, and would
have launched out into further arguments
and assertions, and perhaps INDUCED in =
TRADE against husbands who neglected
their wives, if the servant had not al this
time begun To set the table. She was dis
Greet enough not 60 talk before the ser
wants | am sorry she was not wise enough
TO talk less before US She had not time
20 commence her talk after the servant
had finished before Peters key was heard
in the lock, and Nellie ran rapidly 20 the
door 20 meet him.
~Ah, little woman we heard Peter
say in his CHEEKY voice, "am | late ~
"oh no." she answered ''dinner is not
served yet but it's ready, aud you won't
be delayed. Here is Mrs. Perkins" she
added, as they entered the door. saw
Peter drop his arm from about her waist,
and Nellie took her hand from his shoul-
der, as they did SO. Here is Mrs. Per-
kins, come TO dine with uSn
How dye do, Mrs Perkins r said Pc
ter. Glad 90 see you How dye do,
uncle All well | hopel Amy news,
Nellie n
"No, | believe not. The gas man came
with his bill, which / paid-S3.T5; and |
had to have the plumber 10 opsn those
pipes again. They are sWch nuisance
"Well, | am sorry, my dear, but don't
see how | can improve them. Nothing
else r.
"No, | believe not. Here's your chair. -
If YOU have finished your domestic af-
fairs" said Mrs- Perkins, trying 10 conceal
little the contempt she had for these
little things, and also the chagrin she felt
that her husband had not como home 10
her, twill you tell me il you know where
my husband is r.
Il left Perkins at the store deep in ac-
counts with old Chamberlain. You re-
member Chamberlain, Of Chamberlain &
Gould. uncle, don't you l-St. Louis peo-
pie Perkins has sold him big bill, and
Is closing mp with him this evening. Did
MT YOU get note from him He wrote
by the messenger. He is 10 take Cham
berlain To the club TO -night-receptio Of
John Dutton. big English steamship king
fou know Of him, uncle. I'm going my
self Can't You come {''
had no inclination, and said 80.
Peter said his wife, all Of a sudden,
IF YOU are going, You'll want 10 stay late,
and YOU had better take good rest before
you go. Here are your slippers and gown.
Your feet must be tired, cAsed IN those
heavy boots all day. Take of your boots,
and let me have them blacked, and your
coat brushed. I've had your gown airing,
and you won't catch oold.n
She did not give him tine to demur
but while be was Tainly striving 20 ledge
in word Sideways she went on:
Mrs. Perkins viii excuse your changing
before her. Won't you, my dear or
course: we are all old married folks now.
There Don't they feel easier nowl Let
me take your coat now. Here's your
gown. I'm sure you will have good rest
now
"They are comfortable, | must say" +"
said Peter, lying back in his easy-chair
and stretching his legs. "This IS enough
TO come home for, without the addition Of
the dinner, which already smell not so
very far Off"
s'It shall be served Immediately said
his wife. "You shall not be delayed at
all. What time do you so to the club r.
alt viii be time enough 90 begin dress
ing at six or half past"
"0h, then you can chat with Mrs. Per-
kins an hour before you 90. Talk 20 her
while | see that dinner IL ready. She is
dying To hear you say something about
Mr.. Perkins" And Nellie ran for n min
ute or two TO the kitchen.
"Oh, Perkins is all right said Peter.
thus urged "You know what n capital
clerk he was, uncle Well, be il better
partner. He is carrying the concern on
bis shoulders, | may say, and be is very
deep in business matters just now"
" So il would SEEM" said Mrs. Perkins,
" if we are 10 believe the statements of the
each other in your fibs."
"Fibsl You certainly don't suppose
Perkins Is fibbing2'
"White lies-only TO deceive his poor
trusting wife," she returned, trying to
laugh merrily, but not succeeding very
well.
"When he stays out Of an evening, and
says he was Mt the club, or down town on
necessary business, you don't think he is
really fibbing 7"
"0h, you know you men do fib TO de-
ceive us poor wives
"I worder IL Nellie really thinks that
Of me. Nellie" he added, as his wIfe came
into the room again, Mrs Perkins is as
serting that you wives never believe your
husbands business excuses"
aOf course don't" said Mrs. Perkins,
6 and don't believe Nellie does"
81 don't know. answered Nellie. " You
never have any excuses TO make, you
know, Peter"
"0h yes, do. Quite often ] am late,
or dine out, and 90 out, as ! am going this
evening. Itisn't business, exactly. con-
fess have some curiosity TO see this great
ship manager. He must be great man,
for he has built up a wonderful business in
his day and generation. But ! do some
times make excuses"
"Not excuses, Peter. You sometimes
write me not to expect you; but you do il
so that | shan't be disappointed in look
for you, not because you think an apology
necessary"
"That's very true, my dear. 0f course
I write only because think you will be
uneasy
$50 would, Peter; but not angry, l
hope"
g Nor suspicious, either7"
6Of course not. should first have 10
think you were willing to deceive me, and
that know you are not"
Mrs. Perkins had no opportunity to COM
ment on this revelation Of mutual conf
dence and consideration, for dinner was
served at this moment. | think she was