Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-02-14
HIS FOLKS.
How the Hinkles Settled their Matri
monial Difficulties.

How the Hinkles Settled their Matri.
monial Difficulties.
81 can't stand it, and, what's
more, l WON'T" said little Mrs. Hin
kle, clutching the bars Of her un
comfortable old cage of rocking
chair.
| Mr.. Hinkle placidly hung up his
almanac, and went out to SOW the
early peas. He could stand almost
anything. and yet remain as serene
as Il cabbage -head-which, indeed,
his wife often said he resembled.
Laviny's tantrums troubled him
about Il much as musketo's buzzing
would trouble an elephant; but he
thought they were kind Of wearing
to her, and that she "camc to quick
er" alone. SO he left her swinging
herself seasick in the rocker, and
shufiled off to the garden with a
hoe and a pint dipper Of peas. AT
the gate he met Miss NiddIins.
"And how's your poor wife,"
said she, shifting. She suffered
with chronic cold in the head,
which gave her an extremely
sympathetic manner.
cable to be stirring" replied Mr..
IIinkle, shuffiing on in his brown
leather moccasins. Even Il cabbage
head may be, as it usually is, ruffled
inside; and deep i'll his slowbeating
heart Mr.. Hinkle was annoyed at
the sight of Miss Niddlins and the
embroidered bed-ticking bag which
belokened weeks visit.
"Laviny's putchiky enough with
out being set on, said he, leaning
on his hoe in the favorite attitude
adopted by scare-crows. eyes, l
really think she is,'' he went on,
weighing the proposition deliber-
ately. "Not that | mind her being
spry-tempered and spittiug out at
me. It's only way she has, and
comes of her enjoying such poor
health. She'll cool down; but that
old maid hain't any call to rile her;''
and here Mr.. Hinkle gave the hoe
handle a resentful poke, as if it per-
sonated the spinster aforesaid. bike
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 u dab
of putty, from the day | married
with Reuben" she was saying to
Miss Niddlins. "I've had to walk
on eggs, OF his folks would be in
my hair. They've had their re-
marks to make about all my doings,
and, You may depend upon it, it
grinds."
Mrs. Hinkle must have been
ground very sharp indeed, Judging
by her cutting tongue.
"Poor thing! groaned Miss
Niddlins, using her hankerchiet
just then because it would produce
the effect Of pity.
"See how l 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 finger, as if she were play
ing on jews harp. ''That woman
had the lmpudence to twit me OF
negiecting Reuben, because l leave
him to get his own supper sewing
circle nights"'
Don't tell me SOP shifted Miss
Niddlins. "Did Mr.. Hinklc COM
plain to hcr?"
"Catch him complaining!" cried
Mrs. Hinkle; che hasn't got spunk
enough. Why he's no more git
than a hay-stack, and he's as sot. l
couldn't make him break with his
folks if | was to suffer. Wish l
was single; then l wouldn't be
nosed round by 'em. Now here you
are, free to go when you please!"'
Miss Niddins sighed an afiirma-
tive. 1t was her peculiar trial that
her relatives never opposed her
! going.
"lf you was to separate, suppose
you've got enough to live on"
suggested she cautiously.
Mrs. lIinkle's rocker jerked itself
into a full stop. She had often said
that "Ecubcn must choose bctwixt
his folks and her" that "shc would
take herself Off" and the like; but
to have third person hint at a
separation startled her.
'W eil--yes," said she, hesitating-
ly. "Ive got The property brought
with me when l was married. l
won't deny but what Reuben has
done the fair thing 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 halt
asleep. | have to keep stirring him
up, and, after all, he don't appreci-
ate mel"
81 believe it would wake him
pretty thoroughly if you should
leave him." returned Miss Niddlins.
"He'd begin to realize what smart
wife he'd lost"
He'd clutter the kitchen will,
his greasy harnesses, and camp
down on the lounge in his boots
that's what he'd do-the minute
was off! snapped Mrs. Hinkle.
"He couldn't manage without you
to save his life," declared Miss
Niddlins, confidently. "Hc'd go
down on his knees to you to get YOU
| back"