Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-14

not give her authority for this conviction
One thing was sure, Phebe should not have
the washing of her teaspoons and without
delay Mrs, Hinke sent Juvenile Tripp to
remove these and other personal valuables
choosing the dinner hour for the errand. that
the scenic effect might be greater. When
Mr. Hinke was forced to stir his tea with
fork, perhaps he would be in more haste to
conciliate his wife The plan was we'll laid
but II failed in the execution through the
hardness Of little Joe, who, having a wood
chuck to attend to on the way, did not reach
his unce's till the remains of the dinner lay
cold on the pantry shelf, aud Mr. Hinkle
was half a mile away at his afternoon plow-
ing.
you're rather hard on EN-, Laviny," said
Mr.. Hinkle "they mean we'll by you. Here's
Phebe now been and sent you something
stilllng. told her what u fizz your nerves
had been in lately"
80 you've bcen running me down to your
folks !" cried Mrs. Hinkle, glazing at her
husband. AFTER all I've stood from you,
Reuben, it's too much"
Mr.. Hinkle was a mild man-mid as
milk but even the sweetest of milk will some-
times turn sour in thunderstorm, and Oft
recurring matrimonial tcmpests had had their
effect upon him.
"Ive always made excuses for you, Law.
ny. and tried my best to live peaceably,"
said he, slowly ; "but believe faint in the
power Of mortal man to get along with you"
Then, in state of great amazement at
himself, he went out TO untackle Dobbin and
SOW the turnip seed. Listening in vain for
the dinner horn, he returned to the house
hall an hour past noon to find the FIRE out,
his uulucky mud-prints dried upon the floor,
and his wife absent.
"Gone off in huff to her sister Trips,
guess" said he patiently setting out the
Sunday remnant of beans nd have hitch
ed up if I'd have knowed she wanted to 60.
She wouldn't speak to me, | spose, cause
I'd riled her. | hadn't oughter done it
that's fact"
Having rel,ved his mind by this last con-
fession, Mr. Hinkle ate his dinner with an
excellent appetite, and IN due time his sup
per also, his wife not having appeared.
81 expect she calculates for me to 20 for
| kau orl l.. l.. l..
strained the milk with extreme care and de-
liberation, and by this means let slow
stream tricklc down the outside of the pail
upon the spotess pantry floor. why if
there amt Ezra Trip now !" and as he spoke,
in at the west door came his wife's brother
in-law, with unwilling feet, as though goad.
ed on by the spears Of the setting sun behind
him
"Laviny amt sick, hope?,' said Mr..
Hinkle, anxiously.
"No, 'tisn't that" replied Mr.. Trip, twist
ing his fore finger under his collar, as if his
cravat choked him-"'tisn't that-but--"
She's getting most out of patience watt
ing for me, suppose" suggested the unsus.
pecting Reuben. "Wel, I'd oughter gone
afore, only the off OK broke through the fence,
and"
"Laviny says she won't come back" in
terrupted Mr. Trip, desperately; "ior she's
lived with you as long as she can stand it,"
Mr.. Hinkle Topped down like starchlese
dicky.
al might have knowed she couldn't bear
what | do" groaned he. This morning
when she was blowing Of me, 1 spoke hash
to her | don't see how come to- But,
Ezra, you don't think now; she won't never
come round ~
Mr.. Trip muttered something about his
sister-in-law being pretty resolute," and
turned away.
81 wish you'd carry over Laviny's cough
medicine" said Mr.. Hinkle, rousug him
self. lord to think of her hacking in the
night, and me not hearing her !" And Ez-
ra, I'd take it kindly of you if you'd step in
in the morning and tell me how she rested"
Mr.. Trip consigned the bottle to his coat
pocket, while Reuben, returning to the de-
serted kitchen, which already wore mascu-
line air, tilted his chair against the wall, and
listened to the dirges of the frogs or gave
expression to his feelings by singing
"As on some lonely buildings top
The sparrow tells her moan,
Far nom the tents Of JOY and hope
sit and grieve alone"
"A dreadful poor hand should be to sit
alone" commented he, as he shuliied about
to fasten the windows. "Laviny is a mas
ter.woman for making things lively. Some
how | can't bear to lock her out :" and it is
a fact worthy Of note that the faithful Reu-
ben, for the first time in his married lite, went
to bed leaving the porch door unbolted.
If he had cherished vague hope that his
wife might steal home in the early morning
he certainly saw no traces of her ruling pres.
ence on rising. Instead, the abomination Of
desolation reigned.
"Seems S if | was just framework, with
nothing inside said the poor man, moving
about the chaotic kitchen in hushed man
ner, like person at funeral the pith is
all knocked out Of me-
But Notwithstanding this alarming inter-
nal condition, by dint of burning three fingers
he succeeded in making lumpy hasty.pud-
ding for breakfast, and also cup OF coffee,
which by reason of the large amount of fish
skins that settled it, bore an unpleasant re-
semblance to chowder. As he was sitting at
this FRUGAL repast his sister Phebe hounced