The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-12-30

man l want" And the stranger went to
s~arfs iAs-%~-~ss-y---a- S=s r-A--
bars that led from the potato patch into til,
lane.
Mrs. Quits flew into the house for her sun
bonnet, to follow them; but by the time she
got to the bars, her mysterious visitor anC
Cults were driving rapidly down the road,
The strong minded woman shouted after
her husband, "You'd better come back, tel
you!' but the WI was the wrong way, and
carried the wordsSinto the potato patch.
Sir" said the gentleman to honest Cults
II have very simple question to ask you
but l shall have to ask you in confidence.
will give you five dollars if you will promise
not to repeat my words until tomorrow"
"Wel, sir" replied Cults, 81 shouldn't like
to answer any questions that would make
trouble among my neighbors. have my
scrapes now but I've done it, and hain't an
enemy in the world, as l know ~.
but, sir, you needn't reply to my question
unless you are perfectly wiling" said the
stranger
"Ask your question:" said Cults, "and ]
will not repeat it. ~ nj H.essa.
"'Well, Mr.. Cults, 1 am laying fence on the
Brisley place, that have just bought, and
was directed to inquire of you where / could
buy cedar 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
hersef-and perhaps, offer to drive you
wherever you go to order them.''
Il told them that L would see you and ask
you only; and the fellows bet on it. They
are to give you ten dollars, and to two or
three widows in the town, a cord of wood to
each, if succeed in asking you this question
alone, and making sure your wife does not
know my business until after breakfast to-
morrow morning.
Quits knew his wife's standing too well TO
feel very sensitive-and taking the bill from
the stranger, he smiled and said:
IN go with you to look out cedar posts.
anu keep dark, for the jokes sake; but
don't know as she let me stay in the house
to-night; don't own it," replied the good
natured Cults.
suppose you go to the place and see TO
settlng the posts. | will send boy to tell
her you had to go off suddenly, on a little
business, and will be back in the morning.
said the stranger.
"Pl do that" replied Cults, ''for never
quarrel with her, but let her have her own
way. l don't want to worry myself about
trifes" '"oo'
Good man." said the stranger. sthere are
no trifies in this life. The smallest act is i'm
Portant, and that easy good nature of yours
will ruin your family. Battle that spirit to-
day-and next Sunday take your bows and
go 70 the house OF God, whatever she saws.
shitu NC u Icdl UldQ-aC the head of
house and family
ITS rather late to begin" said Cults.
shaking his head in way that would have
warned Others from the trap in which his
feet were fast. Ai''
:, on see the purse is hers" he added.
ana That has been crueler fetter than her
WIN 10 me. But will try to begin anew, for
her good and the childrens.'' AVA
Inc boy was sent with the message. but he
WASH sharp enough. Madame Cuts dis
covered the Whereabouts Of her lord, tackled
up and went after him.
l., an tne way home, and far into the night.
s she useu ner eloquence, both in pleadings and
rahu OF that hateful town nabob that had
families. A'PPy
But Cults yielded himself to a "d,mb
spirit for the night, and no measures conld
induce him to talk on any subject ont Of
him 0"NgooC OUT oi
ABOUT midnight she wore herself ont and
went to sleep; but at daybreak she beean
again. lie then ventured TO saw eAs 60,
you" 0''A 'ii' ne"S 10
'4ouH never eat morsel in INV bo,,.o
can tell you" cried Xantippe. stii Won hara
told me what the man wanted of Won,
Then you'll wait good while to hear II,
saiu QUITS, for I've vowed I'd never tnlI Il
III. .ln l mad hrst eaten my breakfast and !
with that he went out. anu
Aa am QUITS, endured the torture "a long
as as, possible, and then get breakfast. she !
Come 'ii0 Ill particular,