Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-12-26
VOL. XVIII.

him, Nellie's red lips compressed again,
and her brown eyes wore the same look
they had worn yesterday.
"War it is, then," she said to herself.
"Now, Master Tom, we shall see who wins
the field"
She sat quietly about her mornings
work, and when Tom came home to din
ner everything was in its usual good or
der. 1t remained SO, and Nellie busted
herself with her sewing until nearly time
for Tom to return to supper.
Then she arose, put awav her work, and
prepared to 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 upon the center-table. She
brought some of her dresses and flung
them across the chairs and on the sofa.
Her furs and sacque reposed In Toms
especial armchair, and her best bonnet
kept Toms slippers company under the
sofa, while her own slippers lay on the
mantle.
And then, thinking that feminine inge-
nuity could make no greater sacrifice than
her Sunday bonnet, she sat down to
crotcheting
Presently the door opened, and in walk
ed Master Tom. He gave low whistle
disorder, and at Nellie, sitting calmly in
the midst with her crochet work, and then
came into the room.
'House cleaning, Nelle" he asked
"Oh, no. Why?" said Nellie, looking
up in sweet unconsciousness.
II thought maybe you had been, that's
all, remarked Tom dryly, as he looked
for place to sit down.
Nellie quietly pursued her work.
Presently Tom said:
paper come this EVENING""
'sNot yet" answered Nellie.
Tom gave half sigh.
''Nellie, met Granger up town, aRd he
said he would call around this evening"
Every well; probably he won't come be-
fore tea. 1t will be ready soon," said Mel
lie, working away in demure innocence.
"Hadn't you better pick up things lit
around the room.
ooh, no. Just let 'em lie," answered
Nellie sweetly.
''But they look so badr' said Tom.
"Oh, no, they DON'T" said Nellie, as
sweetly as before. "a thing looks as
well in one place as another"
Toms face Redeemed.
II never saw your room look like this
before, he said, hesitatingly. II shouldn't
like to have any one to step in"
''Why not" said Nellie. eve might as
well keep things handy. whats the use
of having house if you can't keep things
where you want to?"
Toms face grew redder and redder. He
tried to look sober, and then broke into
laugh. "Oh, that's your game, is it?" he
said; 'trying to beat me with my own
weapon, little woman?"
\ ~
Nellie, demurely.
''No, by George, I DON'T" cried Tom.
"Well, then, I'll make bargain with
you. As long as you will keep your things
in their places, pn do the same with
mine, and whenever you don't"
"Oh, | will, interrupted Tom. "Come,
Nellie, I'll own up like man-you've
beat me this time. Only just straighten
up this awful room, and I'll never throw
anything down again. There, now, let's
kiss and make up, as the children say"
Nellie rose, and laughingly held up her
sweet mouth for kiss of peace. And
then, under the magic influence of her
deft fingers, confusion was suddenly BAN
ished, and when Granger came around to
spend the evening, he decided that no.
body had prettier wife or tidier home
than his friend Tom Garter.
wise little Nellie, having once gained
possession of the matrimonial field, took
good care to keep it until Tom was quite
cured of his careless habits.
Sometimes he seemed threatened with a
relapse, bat Nellie, instead of scolding,
only had quietly to bring something of
her own and lay it down beside whatever
Tom had tossed down, and it was sure to
be put away Immediately, for Tom sell
dom failed to take the hint
And if some other little woman, as
wise and tidy as Nellie, takes hint also,
this story will have served it's purpose.