The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-01-26

N'""FS' "S"" RoNdIu WI. luttS, WHO
had just lcaped pair of bars which led
from the potato patch into the lane.
Mrs. Cuts few into the house for
her sun bonnet, to follow them; but bv
the time she got to the bars, her mystc.
rio1s visitor and Cuts we're driving
rapidly down he road
The strong minded woslan shouted
after her husband, you'd better come
back, | tell you !" but the wind was the
wrong way, aud carried her words into
the potato patch.
Sir" said the gentleman to honest
Cults, u have a very simple question
to ask you, but | shall have to ask YOU
in confidence. | will give you five dol.
lars if you will promise not 10 repeat NV
words until to morrow"
swell sir, replied Cuts, IL shouldn't
like to answer any questions that would
make trouble among my neighbors. |
have my hands full, can tell YOU, to
keep out of scrapes now but I've done
1t, an hain't an enemy in the world, as
| know"
But, sir, you needn't reply to my
question unless you are perfectly viii.
ling" said the stranger.
Ask your question:" said Cuts
and | will not repeat il"
F" Well, MIR. Cuts, | 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, "Cutts can tell
you, it his wife will let him but she
won't. She'll insist on telling you her.
self, and perhaps offer to drive YOU
wherever you so TO order them"
4" | told them would sec YOU and
ask you only, and the fellows bet on it,
They are to give you ten dollars. and
two or three widows in town a cord OF
wood each, if | succeed in asking YOU
this question alone, and making sure
your wife does not know my business
untilalter break fast to morrow morning "
Cuts knew his wile's "standinc" too
well to feel very sensitive, and taking
the bill from the stranger, he smiled
and said
I'll 20 with you to look out cedar
posts and keep dark, for the jokes sake /;
but | don't know as she'll let me stay
in the house tonight; | don't own it,"
replied the good natured Cuts.
Suppose you so to the place and see
to the setting the posts. | will send a
little boy to tell her you had to 20 off
suddenly on little business, and will be
back in the morning" said the stranger.
"Fll do that" replied Cuts, "for |
never quarrel with her, but let her have
her own way. ! don't want to worry
myself about trifes."
Good man." said the stranger.
+" there are no trifles in this life. The
smallest act is important, and that easy
good nature Of yours will ruin your fam
ily Battle that spirit to day, and next
Sunday take yodr boys aud 20 to the
house Of God, whatever she saws. aud
be a real man-at the head of your own
house and family"
It's rather late to begin" said Cuts.
shaking his head 10 way that would
have warned others from the trap in
which his feet were fast.
You see the purse is hers" he ad-
ded, "anl that has been crueler letter
than her will to Inc. But | will try to
begin anew, for her good will and the
children's."
The boy was sent with the message.
but the boy wasn't sharp enough. Ma
dam Cults discovered the who're .abouts
Of her lord, tackled up and went after him.
All the way home, and far into the
night, she used her eloquence, both in
pleadings and threatenings, to find out
the mysterious errand of the hateful
town nabob that had come into the couu.
try to separate happy families.
But Cuts yielded himself up TO a
" dumb spirit" for the aight, and no
measure could induce him to talk on
any subject, least she should pry the
mighty secret out of him.
About midnight she wore herself out
and went to sleep; but at break of day
she began. He then Acntured TO say,
" As soon as breakfast is over, III break
the news to you" ~
You'll never eat morsel in my
house, can tell you," cried Xantippe,
"tilll you have told me what the man
wanted Of you !"
Then you'll wal, long time to
hear it," said Cuts, "for have vowed
I'd never tell it till l had first eaten NV
breakfast" and with these words he
went out.
Ma'am Cuts endured the torture as
long as possible, aud then got break fast.
She called to the door, to no one in par
iicular, "Come."
But Cults didn't come. After while
she went out to the barn aud found him
seated on an upturned half bushel meas.
ure, calmly peeling aud eating raw
turnip
II does seem as if this here man
was possessed your breakfa is coolin
do come in.
II was point gained
Cults went in, as requested, and ate
his breakfast. When that was over
ma'am settled herself back in her chair
with her face full of eager expectation,
and said
Now begin. What did that are
man want y
He wanted some cedar posts,' re-
piled Cuts, calmly, without looking up
and that was all"
Ifan arrow had stuck Madame Cuts
she could not have manifested more
surprise aud shame.
II am the laughing stock Of thi,
town, added Cuts, "and from this houl
turn over new leaf I'm hencefortl
head of my family, aud unless this hous,