Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-02-25

can tell you to keep out OF scrapes now but
I've done it, and hain't an enemy in the world,
as know"
"But, sir, you needn't reply to my question
unless you are perfectly willing" said the
stranger.
" Ask your question" Il" said Cults, 'and will
not repeat it,"
"Well, Mr.. Cults, | am laying fence on the
Brisley place that have just bought and | was
directed to inquire of you where could buy ce-
dar posts A fellow in the store said, Cults
can tell you if his wife will let him, but she
won't. She'll insist on telling you herself, and
perhaps offer to drive you wherever you go to
order them"
"l told them l would see you and ask you
only and the fellows bet on it,. They are to
give you ten dollars, aud to two or three wild
ows in town cord of wood each If succeed in
asking you this question alone, and making sure
your wife does not know my business until after
breakfast tomorrow morning"
Cults knew his wifes ''stauding" too we'll to
feel very sensitive, and taking the bill from the
stranger, he smiled and said
"lll go with you to look out cedar posts and
keep dark for the jokes sake but don't know
as she will let me stay in the house to-night
don't own it, - replied good natured Cats,
Suppose you go to the place aud see to set
ting the posts. will send boy to tell her you
had to go off suddenly on II little business, aud
will be back in the morning" said the stranger.
cru do that" replied Cuts, a" for never
quarrel with her, but let her have her own way,
don't want to worry myself about trihes."
"Good man. said the stranger, " there are
no triaes in this life The smallest act is inn
portant, and the easy good nature of yours will
ruin your family Battle that spirit to-day, and
next Sunday take your boys and go to the house
of God, whatever she says, and be real man at
the head of your house and family"
Its rather late to begin" said Quits shaking
his head in way that would have warned 9TH
ers from the trap in which his feet were fast
you see the purse is hers" he added, "and
that has been crueler fetter than her will to
me. But will try to begin anew, for her good
will and the children's."
The boy sent with the message, but the
boy wasn't sharp enough Madam Cults dis
covered the whereabouts of her lord, tackled up
and went after him.
All the way home, and far into the night, she
used her eoquence, both In peadings and threat
enings, to find out the mysterious errand of that
hateful town nabob that had come into the coun-
try to separate happy families.
But Cuts yielded himself up to q ''dumb
spirit " for the night and no measures could in.
duce him to talk on any subject, lest she should
pry the mighty secret out of him.
About midnight she wore herself out aud went
to sleep but at break Of day she began again.
He then ventured to say, "as soon as breakfast
is over I'll break the news to YOU"
You II never eat morsel in my house, | can
tell you, cried Xontippe, &C till you have told
me what the man wanted of you"
"Then you'll wait good while to hear 1t,
said QUITS, " for I've vowed I'd never tell IL till
had first eaten my breakfast" and with these
words he went out
Ma'am endured the torture as long ms possible,
and then got breakfast. She called to the door
to no one in particular " Come"
But Cuts didn't come After while she
went out to the barn and found him seated on
an upturned half-bushel measure and calmly
peeling and eating raw turnip.
A" 1t does seem as If this here man had pos
sessed you Your breakfast is coolin' do come
in"
Here was point gained.
Cuts went in as requested, and ate his break
fast. When that was over, ma am settled her
self back in her chair with her face full of ex-
pectation, and said
"Now begin. What did that ere man want p
" lie wanted some cedar posts, replied Cuts,
calmly, without looking up "and that was
all"
If an arrow had struck Madam Cults she could
not have manifested more surprise and shame.
&C. am the Laughing stock of this town" adj
ded Cuts, "and from this hour | turn over
new leaf I'm henceforth head of my family,
and unless this house is made mine | shall finish
off room in the barD--which Is mine--and you
will be welcome to share il with me. If not, III
live there with the boys, and you will find me
civil neighbor."
Ma am Cuts power was broken. Since then
the farm has been called " John QUITS place,
and he 8 the head of the house