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

WON'T" said little Mrs. Hinkle, clutching
the bars of her comfortable old cage
of rocking .-chair.
Mr., Hinkle placidly hung up his al
manac, and went out to SOW the early
peas. Hecould stand almost anything,
and yet remain as serene as cabbage
head-which, indeeS, his wife often
said he resembled. Laviny's tantrums
troubled him about as much as q mo-
squito's buzzing would trouble an ele-
phant but he thought they were kind
of wearing to her, and that she "came
toquicker" alone. So he left her swing
ing herself seasick in the rocker, and
shuffled 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 extremely sympathetic manner.
"Ase to be stirring" replied Mr..
Hinkle, shutting on his brown leather
moccasins. Even cabbage head may
be, as it usually is, ruffled inside and
deep in his slow-beating heart Mr.. Hin
kle was annoyed at the sight of Miss
Niddlins and the embroidered bed-tick-
ing bag which betokened weeks visit.
"Laviny's putchiky enough without
being set on" said he, leaning on his
hoe in the favorite attitude adopted by
scarecrows. eyes, I really think she
is" he went on, weighing the PROPOSE
ton deliberately. "Not that I mind
her being spry-tempered and splitting
out at me. It's only way she has, and
comes of her enjoying such poor health.
She'll cool Gown tut that old maid
hain't any call to rile her." and here
Mr.. Hinkle gave the hoe hapdle re-
sentful 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 married with
Reuben" she was saying to Miss Md
dlins. "Pve had to walk on eggs, or
his folks would be in my hair. They've
had their remarks 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 cut
ting tongue.
"Poor thing" groaned Miss Md
dlins, using her handkerchief just then
because it would produce the effect OF
pity.
"See how I was put upon this morn
ing by his sister Phebe," said Mrs.
Hinkle, moving the end of her nose
rapidly back and forth with her fore.
finger, as if she was playing on Jews.
harp. "That woman had the impudence
to twit me of .neglecting Reuben, be.
cause leave him to get his own supper
sewing-circle nights !"
Don't tell me so !' shifted Miss
Niddliss. "Did Mr.. Hinkle complain
to her ?"
"Catch him complaining /" cried Mrs
Hinkle she hasn't got spunk enough
Why, he's no more grit than hay-sticl
and he's as sOt. / couldn't make him
break with his folks if was to suffer
Wish was single then I wouldn't bt
nosedround sy 'em. Now here you are
free to go when you please !"
Miss Niddlins sighed in the affirma
tive. It was her peculiar trial that hel
relatives never opposed her going.
If you was to separate, I suppose
you've got enough to live on, suggest
ed she, cautiously.
Mrs. Hinkle's rocker jerked itsel
into full stop. She had oftsn sale
"Reuben must choose betwixt hi.
folks and her." that "she would tax,
herself off," and the like; but to have
a third person hint at a separation
startled her.
"Well--yes," said she, hesitatingly
GIVE got the property I brought will
me when [ was married. | won't deny
but that 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 hal
a sleep. / have to keep stirring hin
up, after all, he don't appreciate me /"
81 believe it would wake him prett,
thoroughly if you should leave him,
returned Miss Niddlins. "He'd begil
to realize what smart wife he'd lost. Z"
"He'd clutter the kitchen with hi
greasy harnesses, and camp down OF
the lunge in his boots-that's what he't
do-the minute was off" snapped
Mrs. Hinkle.
He couldn't manage without you
to save his life," declared Miss Niddlin
confidently. "He'd 60 down on hi
knees to you to get you back"
Mrs. Hinkle seemed fattered by tn
idea.
"a pretty figure ie'd cut" laughe,
she, "fat as he is, and looking, yo
might say, as if he'd been blown up i
his clothes !"