Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-02-01

81 might have 'knowed she couldn't
bear what l do" groaned he. "This
morning, when she was blowing of me,
l spoke hash to her; / don't see how /
come to. But, Ezra, you don't think,
now, she won't never come round ?"
Mr.. Tripp muttered something about
his sister-in-law being pretty resolute,
and turned away. ...
"I wish you'd carry over Laviny's
cough medicine" said Mr. Hinkle,
rousing himself. Lord to think of
her hacking in the night, and me not
hearing her And, Ezra, 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 seuben, returning to
the deserted kitchen, which already
wore masculine 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 from the tents of joy and hope
sit and grieve alone"
"a dreadful poor hand I should be
to sit alone" commented he, as he
shufled about to fasten the windows.
Lavipy is a master-women for MAX
ing things lively. Somehow 1 can't
bear to lock her out :" and it is fact
worthy of note that the faithful Reuben,
for the first time in his carried life went
to bed leaving the porch door unbolted.
If he had cherished a vague hope 10 at
his wife might steal home in the early
morning, he certainly saw no traces Of
her ruling presence on rising. Instead,
the abomination of desolation reigned.
I" Seems if was just frame work,
with nothing inside" said the poor
man, moving about the chaotic kitchen
in hushed manner, like person at a
funeral; "the pith is all knocked out
of me-"
But Notwithstanding this alarming
internal condition, by dint of burning
three fingers he succeeded in making a
lumpy hasty-pudding for breakfast, and
also cup of coffee, which, by reason
of the large amount of tish-skin that
settled it, bore an unpleasant resem-
blance to chowder. AS he was sitting
at this frugal repast his sister Phebe
hounced in.
8" Has Laviny left you, Reuben? 1t
can't be"
Mr.. Hinkle nodded his head solemn
ly, his mouth being not available just
then as an organ of speech,
1.-The worst is her own, " stormed Miss
Phebe, raining a shower OF hair-plns
from her falling chignon. II guess
we sha'n't die ON her account y
TT Q reflection seemed to convey no
consoIation to Mr.. Hinkle.
"You neverfeltright toward Laviny," "
said he, sorrowfully, 81 don't lay this
up again her, her clearing out I blame
it on to Miss Nibblins. She always had
adreadfulfaculty for onsettling Layiny."
Miss Phebe had contemptuous nose,
turned upward at the end like sled
runner. 1t curled higher yet at this
remark.
81 wish you had some of my spirit,
Reubos Hinkle," said she, coiling her
back hair with rapid circular motion,
as if she were winding herself up; G. if
you had, you wouldn't go nigh Laviny
for one while. She's contrary. and de-
pend upon it she'll be great deal more
apt to come back if you don't tease her.
I'll keep house for you, so don't you be
q mite concerned"
Mr.. Hinkle groaned in answer. AS
dough is without yeast, so was he with
out Laviny. He needed her, to keep
him up" he said, pathetically; and
though tortures would not have wrung
from her the confession, it was equally
true that Laviny netsed him to keep
her down. Some leaven is safest hid
den in its three measures of meal. Ger
tainly, in her husbands presence, Mrs.
Hinkle had been patient Griselda
compared to what she now was, freed
from home restraints. She fretted and
fumed in an explosive manner, raising
an unwonted fermentation in the Tripp
household. She hated his folks she
hated Reuben for not hating them she
hated herself for having borne their in
terference so long and declared she
had not had "the temper of fly -
which, indeed, was quite true. But as
the week wore on without bringing the
coveted vision of her husband at her
feet, the effervescence of her mood was
fast subsiding, when the rumor that
Miss Phebe was welding her domestic
sceptre, agitated it anew. Pretty work
it was, to be crowded out of her own
home by his folks She knew now why
Reuben had not come. They had been
setting him against her. What if he
should never come? For the first time
this thought intruded itself, and in hel
anguish she .ought relief in the cam
phor bottle. What right had Phebe in
her kitchen, solacing Reuben with de,
lectable cookery, when he should have
been hungering in solitude after his
wife? She declared such conduct would
!, provoke a saint, though she did not give
, her authority for this conviction. One
J thing was sure, Phebe should not have
the washing of her teaspoons ant
without delay Mrs. Hinkle entaiuvenilt
: Tripp to remove these and other per
, sonal valuables, choosing the Dime,
hour for the erand, that the senic effec
might be greater. When Mr.. Hinklt
, was forced to stir his tea with fork
perhaps he would be in more haste tc
, conciliate his wife! The plan was wei
, laid but it failed in the execution
: through the tardiness of little Joe, who
= having woodchuck to attend to on til,
, way, did not reach his unc'es till thu
, remains Of the dinner lay cold ON til,
pantry shelf, and Mr.. Hinkle was half
, mile away at his afternoon plowing.
Miss Phebe sent the spoons obedi
emily, inwardly resolved that Reubei
should not know of this proof of "La
why's ugliness," for she was well awar
that only her own repeated assurance
that Laviny would soften toward hin
if left to herself had kept him passiv