The Republican journal., 1873-04-24
His Folks,

His Folks
| Il 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 resem-
| bled. Lavinv's tantrums troubled him
about as much as a mosquitoes buzzing
| would trouble 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 shutfted off to the garden with
hoe and Il pint dipper of peas. AT the
gate he met Miss Niddins.
"And how's your poor wife ?" said she
snitf1ng She suffered with a chronic
cold in her head, which gave her an ex-
tremely sympathetic manner.
" Able to be stirring" replied Mr.
Hinkle. shutfiing on his brown leather
moccasins. Even cabbage head may
be, as it usually is, rutfled inside, and
deep in his slow-beating heart Mr.. Hinkle
was annoyed at the sight of Miss Nddlins
and the embroidered bed-tlcking bag
which betokened weeks visit
'Laviny's putchky enough without be-
ing set on" said he. leaning on his hoe in
the favorite attitude adopted by scare
crows. Eyes, | really think she is" he
went On, weighing the proposition delib-
crately. mot that mind her being spry-
tempered and splitting out at me. It's
only 4 way she has. and comes of her en-
ioying such health. She'll cool down :;
but that old maid hain't any call to rile
hers" and here Mr.. Hinkle gave the hoe
handle a resenttul 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 In
doors his wife claimed exclusive right of
speech.
''And here I've stuck, like dab of
putty, from the day was married with
Reuben" she was saying to Miss Md
dlins I've had to walk on eggs, or his
folks would be in my hair. They've
had their remarks to make about all nv
doings and, you may depend upon it, it
grnds "
Mrs Hinkle must have been ground
very sharp indeed, Judging from her cut
ting tongue.
Poor thing!" groaned Miss Niddlins,
using hcr handkerchief Just then because
it would produce the effect of pity
''Sec 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 loretinger rs if she
were playing on u Jew's-harp "That
woman had the impudence to twit me of
neglecting Reuben, because | leave him
to get his own supper sewing circle
nights y
Don't tell me sol" shifted Miss Md
dlins. "Did Mr.. Hnkle complain to her ?"
Catch him complaining" cried Mrs.
llnklo; "he hasn't got spunk enough
Why, he's no more grit than q haystack,
and he's us sot. | couldn't make him
break with his folks if I was to die. Wish
| was single; then | wouldn't be nosed
around by 'em. Now here you are, tree
to 90 when you peasen'
Miss Niddlins sighed an affirmative. 1t
was her peculiar trial that her relatives
never opposed her going
al you was to separate, | suppose
you've got enough to live on" suggested
she cautiously.
Mrs. Hinkle's rocker ierked itself into
u full stop. She had often said that ''Reu-
ben must choose betwixt his folks and
her." that ''she would take herself off,"
and the like; but to have a third pc rson
hint at separation startled her
" Well-yes," said she hesitatinplv.
I've got the property 1 brought with me
when | was married. | 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 half asleep. l have
to keep stirring him up, and, after all, he
don't appreciate me-"
81 believe it would wake him pretty
thoroughly if you should leave him." re-
turned Miss Nlddlins. "He'd begin to
realize what a smart wife he'd lost"
"He'd clutter the kitchen with his greasy
harnesses, and camp down on the lounge
in his boots-that's what he'd do the min
ute | was off, snapped Mrs. Hinkle
"He couldn't manage without you, to
save his life." declared Miss Niddlins,
confidently. 'He'd 90 down on lis knees
to you to get you back"
Mrs. Hinkle seemed fiattered by the
idea.
ga pretty figure he'd cut" laughed she,
''fat as he is, and looking, you might say,
if he'd been blown up in his clothes !"
II am sure / don't see how you can
smile, situated as you are," said Miss Md
| dlins, showing symptoms of fresh cold
ellis folks have tried my soul out of
me-" cried Mrs. Hinkle hastily resuming
her wrath, "and what maddeaed me the
most has been to see Reuben take it so
cool. That man hasn't any more nerve
than tub of lard! | wouldn't value
jumping off the meeting-hous steeple if
thought it would give him start.''
'Poor woman" said Miss Niddlins,
! displaying the red silk handkerchief which
might properly be called her badge of
mourning. "Its your duty to yourself tc
go where you can take some peace in
your life -
81 don't feel clear" said Mrs. Hinkle,
Us she settled the coffee for dinner, and
thus ended the first conference.
But as Miss Niddlins spent the week,
justifying Mr.. Hinkle's apprehensions, she
and Mrs. Hinkle had ample opportunities
Tor renewing the discussion of the latter's
grievances, till, from not feeling "clear,"
Mrs. Hinkle, by the time her guest de-
parted came to feel, as she expressed it,
'all in muddle." Even her ox-eyed
husband noticed something amlss with
her
81 wonder whether or no sage tea
wouldn't be kind of quieting to Laviny," g"
ne reflected one morning as he logged
along to the village after turnip seed. II
hain't seen her so fractious since she had
the neurology in her face If she wasn't
a, poor sick creetur don't know but |
should get pnt out with her-I really
DON'T" and Mr.. Hinkle lowered his voice
10 an awestruck whisper as he gave utter
ance to this treasonous thought.
HIS folks" lived in sick headache
colored house at the Four Corners, and
his sister Phebe was hanging out clothes
| in the backyard as he drove up