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

rising IN unwonted iermetation in The
Trip household. She hated his folks
she hated Reuben for not hating them
she hated herself for having borne theil
interference so long. and declared she
had not had "lhe temper of fy'-
which, indeed, was quite true. But as
the week wore on without bringing the
coveted vision of her husband at her feet
tho enerverscence of her mood was fast
subSiding, when tho rumor that Miss
Phebe was welding her domestic scep.
ire agitated it anew. Pretty work. was,
to DO crowded out OF her own home by
his folks She knew now why Reuben
did not come. They had been setting
him against her. What IL he should
never coue? |? For the first time this
thought intruded itself, and in her au.
gui'h she sought relief in he camphor
bottle. What right had Phebo in her
kitchen Solacing Reuben with delectable
cookery, when he should have been hun
gering in solitude after his wife? She
declared such conduct would provoke Il
saint, though she did not give her an.
thority for this conviction. One thing
was sure. Phebo should not have the
washing OF her teaspoons, and without
delay Mfs. Ilinkle sent juvenile Tripp
to remove these and other personal valu.
ablcs, choosing tho dinner hour for the
cuand, that tho scenic effect might be
greater. When Mr. Hinkle was forced
TO stir his tea with fork, perhaps he
would be in more haste TO conciliate his
wife The plan was well laid ;but it failed
in the execution through the tardiness of
little Joe, who, having woodchuck 10
attend to on the way, dill not reach his
uncie's till the remains OF the dinner lay
cold on the pantry shelf, and Mr.. Ilinkle
was hall a mile away at his afternoon
blowing.
Miss Phebe sent the spoons obedientIy.
inwardly resolved that Reuben should
not know OF this proof of "Laviny's ~.
liness," iof she was well aware that only
her own repeated assurances that Laviny
would soften toward him it left to her.
self, had kept him passive thus far.
Seems if wasn't doing the hand.
some thing not to go nigh her ne often
said. 4 wonder whether or no she amt
counting on my fetching her p
IF she comes with her free will she'll
be likely to stay put" Miss Phebe would
answer: "but you try to drive her, and
you know what Laviny is"
Mr.. IIinkle did know, unfortunately,
aud. knowing. schooled himself to pa.
ient waiting.
Thus the days wore on, and he plodded
through the spring work, cheered a little
in spite oil himself by Miss Phebe'S earn
est Efforts at making him comfortable lie,
while Lsviny, mortified and then alarmed
by his non appearance, worried herself
into course Of e1asperating sick head
aches, aud in every sense shut out the
sunlight from the house of the Trips.
In the midst of paint scrubbing Mrs.
Tripp found no leisure to devote to her
sister. left one OF her child
rem TO wait upon her. Mrs. Hinkle felt
abused. When had Reuben been too
busy to bathe her aching temples ? Lit.
lie Joe made her nervous as witch.
and one day she told him so, and a mo-
ment after had the satisfaction OF hear.
ing him say to his mother in the kitchen
that he couldn't get along with Aunt
Layipy nohow.'
why, that was just what Reuben had
who had never spoken
hastily 20 her in his life Was she an
uncomfortable person to live wiih?"
'Taint in the the power of mortal man
to get along with you Layiny.' The
wOlds came back to her with The start.
linz folce of 4 prool. text, and haunted
her a(terward continually, It must have
been in rhubarb time. Tor dandelion
greens had gone by, when one morning
lille Joe rushed in with the terrible ti-
lings that Uncle Reuben had fell ker.
chuck from beam in the barn
Mrs. Hinkle tore the bandages from
her head and started up.
Where's my bonnet, Susan. I'm 90.
ing home"
Maybe lie isn't badly injured. Wait
till we hear iurther,' urged Mrs. Tripp.
I tell you I'm going home, Susan
Trip! Where's my bonnet" and
it up by the string, Mrs. Hinsle
sprang into the wagon just vacated by
her nephew, and drove away alta doctors
pace.
Little Joe turned series of somcr-
saults, and then lay writhing on the
grass in fit of uncomfortable giggling.
Didn't Aunt Laviny streak it p shout.
ed he. And Uncle Reuben WASN'T hurt
a. mite, but she wouldn't let me tell her I!
Tee. hee .hee'
Yet. though no bones were broken by
the fall, it is fact that Mr.. Hinkle found
bis two hundred poundsavoirdupois con-
shaken. and he was actually,
according to his wife's prediction, camp.
ing down on the lounge in his boots,
when, opening his eyes, they rested on
her frightened face in the doorway.
why, bless your heart! Come right
In Iayiny said ha. And she went and