The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-12-07

mi.n vase
4 don't know what to do, but this 1 WON'T
have, she COZ tinued, with little bit of wifsly
snap. which every good wife must have If she
expects to get along ut all with that occasionally
unreasonable animal, man.
Some way must be discovered to cure Tom
Of such performances as this! went on Mrs.
Nellie, as she removed the ruins of the vase, and
all the morning she went around at her work
with scarlet lips closely compressed. and little
q ash ii her brown eyes which argued we'll for
Mr. Toms domestic sub alton.
Woman's wit, having will, seldom fails to
find way. And when determined little wo-
man says must and shall masculine insubord-
nation might as well surrender at once.
Before Mrs. Nellie closed her bright eyes that
night, she had arranged plans for that campaign
against her liege lord who slept the sleep of in
nocence at her side
But she meant to give him one more chance
60, after breakfast, when Tom drew on his boots
and gave his slippers the usual toss under the
sofa, she gently said:
Tom, dear, hadn't you better put the slippers
in tina case?"
No, let them alone, they'll be handy for me
tonight"
'Bnt, Tom, they look SO untidy.'
Why no they don't. A thing looks as we'll
IN one place as another. What's the use OF
mans having home if he can't keep things
where he wants to I?
What's the use of keeping woman on her
feet all day to pick up things after your asked
Nellie without the least show OF temper.
Don't pick 'em up Just let EN- alone, and
then can find 'em when l want EN- declared
Tom, as he gave her good kiss and took him.
self off.
And at the moment the door closed on him,
Nellie's red lips compressed again. and her brown
eyes wore the same look they had worn the day
before.
War it is, then she said to herself. Now,
Mastor Tom, We shall see who wins the Held
She set quietly about her mornings work, aud
when Tom tame home to dinner everything was
in its usual GOOD order. 1t remained go, and
Nellie busted herself with her sewing until near.
ly time tor Tom 70 return to supper
Then she arose, put away her work, and pre-.
pared 70 open the campaign.
First, she put Toms slippers where he always
left them, under the sofa. Then she tossed the
shawl upon the piano, and his best hat on the
center-table. She brought some of her dresses
and flung then across the chairs and on the sofa.
Her furs and sacque reposed in Toms special
armchair, and her best bonnet kept Toms slip.
pers company under the .ofa, while her own
slippers lay on the mantle.
And thinking that feminine ingenuity could
make no greater sacrifice than her Sunday bon.
net, she sat down to crochetiug
Presently the door opened, and in walked Mas.
ter Tom. He gave low whistle of surprise as
he glanced around at the unusual disorder. and
at Nellie, sitting calmly in the midst with her
crochet work, and then he walked into the
room.
House cleaning, Nell 2 he asked.
'Oh, no. Why said Nellie, looking up in
sweet uneonsciousness.
4 thought maybe you had been, that's ALL re-
marked Tom, dry!y, as he looked for place to
sit down.
Nellie quietly pursued her work.
Presently Tom said
Paper come this evening"
Mt yet answered Nellie.
Ten gave O sigh.
Nellie, met Granger up town, and he sale
he would call around this evening"
Very we'll probably he won't come befor,
tea. 1t will be ready soon,' said Nellie working
away in demure innocence.
Hadn't you better pick up things little be-
fore he comes" said Tom, glancing around tn.
room.
oh, no. Jus. let EN- be- answered Nellie
sweetly.
But they lock so bad = said Tom.
'Oh, no they DON'T said Nellie, as sweetly 81
before. "A thing looks as we'll in one Place a
another
Toms face Redeemed.
Il never saw your room lo.k like this before,
he said, hesisatingly. shouldn't like TO have
| any one to step in
why not p said Nellie We might a. vel
keep things handy. What is the use of having
| house if you can't keep things where you want
toY'
Toms face grew redder and redder. He tried
III Al IL -
that's your game is it ? he said, trying to bea
me with my own weapons, are you, my littl,
| woman!'
Well, don't you like the plan p said Nellie
demurey.
No, by George, DON'T cried Tom.
We'll, I'll make bargain with you. AL onf
as you will keep your things in their PLACES, II
do tho same with mine, and then whenever 20,
don't
oh, WILL interrupted Tom. Come, Nellie
III own up like man-you've beat me thi
time. Only just straighten up this swful room
and I'll never throw anything down again
There, now, let us kiss and make up, a. the ohil
dren say
Nellie rose, and laughingly held up her swes
mouth for kiss Of peace. And then, under tn
magic influence of her deft fingers, confusion
was suddenly ban.hed, and when Grange
came around to spend the evening, no decide
that nobody had prettier wife or tidisr hom
than his friend Tom Carter.
Wise little Nellie, having once gained possess
ion Of the matrimonia field, took good care
keep it until Tom WAS quite out Of his csree,
habits
Semetimes he seemed threatened with e
lapse, but Nellie, instead of scoldinH, only ha
quietly to bring something Of her own and la
it down beside whatever Tom had tossed dow,
.nd it WAS sure to be put away immediately, f
Tom seldom failed to take the hint.