The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-04-03
From Harper's Bazar.
HIS FOLKS.
How the Hinkles Settled their Matrimonial
Difficulties.

81 can't stand it, and what's more,
won't, said little Mrs. Hinkle, clutching
the bars of her uncomfortable old cage of
a rocking chair.
Mr.. Hinkle placidly hung up his alma
nae, and went out to sow the early peas.
He could stand almost anything, and yet
remain as serene as a cabbage head, which,
indeed, his wife often said he resembled.
Lavinys tantrums troubled him about as
much as musketo's buzzing would trou-
BILE an elephant; but he thought they
were kind of wearing to her, and that she
"came to quicker" alone. So he left her
swinging herself seasick in the rocker,
and shuff1ed off to the garden with hoe
and pint dipper of peas. AT the gate
he met Miss Niddlins.
And how's your poor wife?'' said she,
shifting. She suffered with a chronic
cold in the head, which gave her an ex-
tremely sympathetic manner.
cable to be stirring" replied Mr.. Hin
kle, shuffiing on in his brown leather
noccasins. Even a cabbage-head may be,
as it usually is, ruffied inside; and deep
in his slow-beating heart Mr.. Hinkle was
annoyed at the sight Of Miss Niddlins
and the embroidered bed-ticking bag
which betokened aweek's visit.
'Laviny's putchiky enough without be-
ing set on" said he, leaning on his hoe
in the favorite attitude adopted by scare
crows. ayes, 1 really think she is" he
went on, weighing the proposition delib-
erately. Not that mind her spry-tem-
pered and splitting out at me. It's only q
way she has, and comes of her enjoying
such poor health. She'd cool down but
that old maid hain't any call to rile her;
and here Mr.. Hinkle gave the hoe-hand
lie a resentful poke. as if it personated
the spinster aforesaid. Like many men
not gifted in public speaking, he was
much given to talking aloud when alone
Indoors, his wife claimed exclusive right
of speech.
"And here I've stuck, like dab oi
putty, from the day | married with Reu
| ben," she was saying to Miss Niddlins
i've had to walk on eggs, or his folks
| would be in my hair. They've had their
remarks to make about all my doing
and, you may depend upon it, it grinds'
Mrs. Hinkle must have been ground very
sharp indeed, judging by her cutting
| tongue.
"Poor thingr' groaned Miss Niddlins
using her handkerchief just then because
it would produce the effect of pity.
f'See how ! was put upon this morning
by his sister Phebe." said Mrs Hinkle
moving the end of her nose rapidly back
and forth with her fore-fnger, as if she
were playing on Jew sharp. THAT wo
man had the impudence to twit me O
neglecting Reuben, because leave hin
to get his own supper sewing-circlt
1Don't tell me SOP shifted Miss Md
dlins. Did Mr.. Hinkle complain tC
| herr"
Catch him complaining" cried Mrs
Hinkle; she hasn't got spunk enough
Why he's no more grit than hay stack
and he's a sot l couldn't make hin
Wish / was single then 1 wouldn't be
nosed round by EN-. Now here you are
| free to go when you please.
Miss Niddlins sighed an affirmative. /
was her peculiar trial that her relative
never opposed her going.
"If you was to separate, l suppost
you've got enough to live on" suggested
she cautiously.
Mrs. Hinkie's rocker jerked itself int
full stop. She had often said tha
"Reuben must choose betwiXt his folk
and her" that ''she would take hersel
off" and the like; but to have thirC
person hint at separation startled her
"Well-yes," said she, hesitatingly
"Ive got the property l brought will
me when / was married l won't den,
but what Reuben has done the fair thini
there: but then, if he'd been some men
he might have doubled it by this time
The long and short of it is, he's hal
asleep. l have to keep stirring him uI
and. after all, he don't appreciate mel!
i 81 believe it would wake him prett
thoroughly if you should leave him" re
turned Miss Niddlins He'd begin t
realize what smart wife he'd lost"
"He'd clutter the kitchen with hi
greasy harnesses, and camp down on tn
lounge in his boots-that's what he'd d
the minute l was OFF, snapped Mrs
Hinkle.
"He couldn't manage without you, t
save his life," declared Miss Niddlin
confidently He'd go down on his knee
to get you back
Mr.. Hinkle seemed Aattered 10y tn
idea.
"a pretty figure he'd cut" laughed sh,
''fat rs he is, and looking, you might sa.
as if he been blowed up in his clothes
"Tm sure / don't see how you ca
? smile, situated as you are" said Mis-
Niddlins, showing symptoms OF tres
cold.
His folks have tried my soul out
me-" cried Mrs. Hinkle, hastily resumir
her wrath; land what's maddened m
the most has been to see Reuben take
SO cool. That man hasn't any mo-
e nerve than q tub of lard l wouldn't Va
ue jumping off the Westinghouse steep
if thought it would give him start. y
Poor woman !" said Miss Niddlins, d
playing the red silk handkerchief tn
% might properly be called her badge