Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-06-17

IN VAN LOT the ulnner norm, no returned
10 the house half an hour past noon to
, find the fire out, his unlucky mud prints
dried upon the floor, and his wife absent.
"Gone off in huff TO her sister
Trips guess" said he, patiently SET
ting ont the Sunday remnant OF beans.
I'D have hitched up if I'd have known
sho wanted TO 60. She wouldn't speak
to me. s'pose, because I'd riled her.
hadn't oughter done il that's fact"
Having relieved his mind by this last
confession. Mr. Hinkle ate his dinner
with all excellent appetite. and in due
time his supper also, his wife not having
appeared.
al expect she calculates for me 10 go
Tor her, and I'd better be off," said he,
as he strained the milk with extreme
care and deiberation, and by this means
let slow stream trickle down the out
side of the pail upon the spotless pantry
floor "Why, il there amt Ezra Trip
now :" and rs he spoke, in at the west
door came his wie's brother n.law. with
unwilling feet. as though goaded on by
the spears oI the setting sun behind him.
Laviny ain't sick. hope'" said Mr..
llinkle auNiously.
mo 'tisn't that" replied Mr.. Trpp,
twisting his ioreGnger under his collar,
as il bis cravat cloked him-"tisn't that
= but
She's getting most out of patience
for me, | suppose" suggested the unsus-
pec,ing Reuben. "Well. I'd oushter
gone atoro, only the OK broke through
! the fence and"
"Layiny said she won't como back"
interrupted Mr.. Trip, desperately "lor
she's lived with YOU as long as she can
stand ii ~
Mr. Hinklc Hoped down like q starch.
less dicky.
Il might have knowed she couldn't
bear what | do" groaned he. This
morning, when she was blowing OF me.
shoke hash to her; | don't see how l
came to. But Ezra, you don't think, she
won! never come rouud ?'
Mr.. Tripp muttered something about.
his sister-in-law being pretty resoIute."
and turned away.
81 wish you'd carry over Laviny's
cough medicine said Mr.. liinkle, rous-
ing himself. Lord :" to think Of her
hacking in the night. and me not hearing
her And Ezra. I'd take it kindly ofyou
if you'd step in the morning and tell me
how she rested"
Mr.. Trip consigned the bottle to hi.
coat pocket, while Reuben, returning TO
the deserted kitchen, which already
wore masculine air, tilted his chair
against the wall, aud listened to the
dirges of the frogs, or gave expression
TO his feelings by singing,
"As on some lonely buildings top,
The sparrow tell. her moan,
Far from the tents OF joy aud hope
sit and grieve alone"
"A dreadful poor hand should be to
sit alone" commented he, rs he shuilled
about 10 fastened the windows 'Laviny
is 4 master woman for making things
lively. Somehow can't bear to lock her
OUT" and it is fact worthy of note
that the faithful Reuben, for the first
time in his married life, went 10 bed
leaving the porch door unbolted.
II he had cherished a vague hope that
his wife might steal home in the early
morning. he certainly saw no traces of
her ruling presence on rising. Instead
the abominaiion of desolation reigned.
Seems as ii was just Frame work
with nothing inside, said the poor man,
moving about the chaotic kitchen in
hushed manner, like person at u fuuor-
Al: "the pith is all Knocked out of me-"
Hut Notwithstanding this alarming in.
ternal condition by dnt of burning three
fingers he succeeded in making lumpy
hasty pudding for breakfast, and cup
OF coffee. which, by reason of the large
amount OF fish akin that settled it, bore
an unpleasant resemblance to chowder.
As he was sitting ut his frugal repast his
sister Phebe flounced in.
Has Laviny left you, Reuben l,
can't be-"
NJ. Ilinkle nodded his head soiemnly,
his mouth being not available just then
as an organ OF speech.
The worst is her own." stormed Miss
Phebe raining shower of hairpins from
her falling chignon. II guess we shant
die on her account ~
This reflection seemed to convey no
consolation TO Mr.. Hinkle.
You never ielt right toward Laviny,"
said he, sorrowluly. Il don't lay this
up agin her, her clearing out. | blame
it on to Miss Niddlins. She always had
dreadful faculty for onsettiug Layiny."
Miss Phebe had oontemptuous nose,
turned upward at the end like sled run
ner. 1t curlied higher at this remark.
al wish you had some OF my spirit,
Reuben Hinkle.' said she coiling her
back hair with rapid circular motion,
as if she were winding herself up, "if
you had you wouldn't 60 nigh Laviny
for one while. She's contrary, and de.
pend upon it. she'll be great deal more
ap, to come back if you don't tease her.
I'll keep house for you. so don't you be
n mite concernedn