Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-06-03
A SLACK HUSBAND PUHIsHED.

Mr.. Moneton," said my grandmother, co
have no wood to burn to-day. What shall
"Oh! send Louisa round to pick up some,
said the good man, making stride toward The
door.
GO Then let her break MP all che can fnd."
"Then let her break mp some old stuff
- But she has broken mp everything already
''Ohl well, then do the next best thing
must be of, said the farmer; and no doub,
wondering In his heart what the next thInQ
would turn out to be.
Nom came, and with II came nv grand
father and his four hungry laborers My grand.
great wheel, and singing pleasant little ditty;
Louisa sat securing tins In the back room, and
and 0n Sne
in the middle Of the room spread for dinner
but with empty dishes.
-, Wei wife, here we are" said my grand.
" Sol see," replied she plactdiy. "Have you
lad good morning In the corn ield?"
| Why, yes, $3.50. But where Is the dinner?'
- =, n t aoe Pc, on the doorstep Wont you See
And ON the doorstep. to be sure, sat the
great Iron pot, nicely covered, but not looking
particularly stesmy. My grandfather raised
nice boiled housekeeping prepared In the
incest manner, and the pot filled with the clear
est water, and all the vegetables and meat as
.ays - snsy HAa ever been MY grandfather
10 the yarn upon her distaff and began another
"why, woman, what does this mean9" began
my, graISdfst n Indignantly. "This dinner
"Dear me! is 1t not?. asked the good wife In
pretended establishment. "why, It has set In
the sun this four hours"
set In the sum-"
"Yee; you told me 70 try the next best thing
10 having IRE, and thought setting my dim
ner in the sun was about that"
My grandfather stood doubtful for q moment;
but fnaAy his sense of humor overcams his
sense of injury, and he laughed aloud. Then
picking mp his hat ae said:
Come, boys, we might as wen start for the
woods. We shall have no dinner till we've
earned It, perceive"
Wont you have some bread and cheese be-
fore you go?" asked my grandmother, generous
In her victory, as women almost always are.
And so che won the day.
The cellar stairs In the old farm house had
become BROKEN and 30 unsafe that my grand
mother besieged her husband, early and late to
repair them, lest some accident should happen.
He always promised TO do so, and always forgot
to fulfill his promise. At last one day. my
graIdmother fell In going down ana spilled the
"Are you huft7' asked my grandfather,
-mokiDg his pipe beside the fire.
"No matter whether am or not," replied
he angry housewife, re-appearing with her
IN pity pan. " That Is the last time 1 carry
milk down those stairs until they are mendedl'
Please yourself, and find the NEXT best way
to get DO w." said the husband, little vaxed
81 WILL said my grandmother, and she was
as good as her word. The next evening my
grandfather went down cellar 20 draw some
cider.
"What IN thunder, exclaimed he nothing
worse, assure you, for he was not a profane
man. what In thunder IL the matter down
heIei Why, woman, your milk Il all over the
cellar bottom"
ais it?" replied my grandmother, TRANQUILITY.
" Well, think that Is likely enough, falling 80
rar.s
Failing 70 far! What DO you mean?~
Why, you know said I shouldn't carry the
milk over thoee broken stairs again, and You
told me to try the NEXT best way OF getting 1t
down, and 80 took up board In the kitchen
foor, threw down the pans, and strained the
milk down In them
The cellar stairs we're mended next day
HsoSA dnd Home.