, 1873-02-09
HIS FOLKS.
How the Uinklcs Settled Their Matrimoni-
nj Difficulties.

"I can't stand it, and. what's more, won't, =
said little alrs. Hinklo, clutching the bars os hel
| uncomfortable old cage Of rocking chair
I Mr.. Hlnkle placidly hung up his almanac, and
went out to SOW the early peas. He could stand
almost anything, and yet remain as serene as
abbage-lead-which. indeed, luis wife often said
ha resembled. Laviny's tantrums troubled him
! about IS much as musketo's buzzing would
kind Of wearing to her, and that ehe 81 came to
| quicker alone. So lie left her swinging herself
ecasick in tho rockor, and shuled OF to the gar
| den with hoe and q pint diDper Of peas. At
| the gate he met Miss Eidd1ins.
"And how's your poor wife?" said she, snif-
/ fling. She suffered with d chronic cold in tho
head, which gave her an extremely sympathetic
! manner.
"Ablo to be stirring" replied Mr. Hinllo,
shuf1l;ng on in his brown leather 1noccaains Even
d cabbsge-head may be, as it usually is rut1led
inside. and deep in his slow-beating heart 11r.
Hinkle was annoyed at the sight of Miss Nidd-
Inns md the embroidered bed-ticking bag which
| betoIenea q weeks visit.
"Inyiny's putcMky enough without being set
on" said he, leaning on his hoe in the favorito
attitude adopted by zcare-crows. "Yes, really
think size is, ;, he went on, weighing the PROPOSE
tion deliberately. "Not that mind her being
spry-temFered, and splitting out atme It's only
health. shell cool down but that Old d maid
hain't any call to rle her y and here Mr. Hink1e
gave the hoe-hnndle resentful poke, as it it per-
Bonated the spinBter aforesaid. Like 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 hero I've stuck, Like dab OF putty,
from the day I married. With Reuben" she was
saying to Miss Niddlins. +" I've had to walk on
had their remarks TO maze about all my doings,
and, you may depend upon it, it grinds."
Mrs. Hlnkle must have been ground very
sharp indeed, Judging by her cutting tongue.
:" Poor thing :" groaned Miss Niddlins. using
her handkerchief just then because it would pro-
duce the effect Of pity.
:" See how WAS put upon this morning BY his
sister Phebe," said 1lrB. Hinklo, moving the end
Of her nose rapidly back and forth with her
foEehnger + ,s as if she wefo playing on Je"a =.
tEit me Of neglecting Reuben, because leave
him to get bis own supper sewing-clrcle nights!"
"Dont tell me sol" shifted Miss Niddlins-
"Did Mr. Hinkle complain to her?"
f" Catch him complaining" !" cried Mrs. HnAlo;
"he hasn't got .spunk enough. Why, he's no
more grit than hay-stack, and he's as sot. I
couldn't make him break with his folks it Was
to suffer. Wish was single; then I wouldn't
be nosed a round b. s% No" here you are FREQ
Miss Niddlins sighed an affirmative. It was
her peculiar trial that her relatives never op-
posed her going.
'H you was to separate, I suppose you've got
enough to- live on, !" suggested she. cautiously.
y~AHAN~A As-~AA
stop. She had often said that "Reuben must
choose betUi1t his folks and her," that "she
would take herself of" aud the like; but to
have third person hint at separation startled
her.
.Well-yes," said sho, hesitatinely. "Tve
got the property brought with me when WIS
married. won't deny but what Reuben has
done the fair thing thore; but then, It he'd been
some men, he might have doubled it hy this
asleep. have to keep stirring. him up, and,
after all, he don't appreciate mel"
~ believe it would wake him pretty
thoroughly If You should Leave him, returned
Miss Niddlins: He'd begin to realize what 8
smart wife he'd lost"
."Hed clutter the kitchen NTH his greasy
harnesses, and camp down on the lounge in his
boots-that's what he'd do-the minute was
of " snapped Mrs. Hinkle.
his Iifo," declared Miss Niddiins, confidently.
He'd 80 down on his knees to you to get you
BACK
Mrs Hinkle seemed fattered by the idea
IA pretty frure ho'd cut, ," laughed sue, q fat !
as he is. and looking, you might say, as If he'd
been blown up in his clothes!'
"I'm sure / don't see how You can smile, ait !
uated as you are" said Miss Niddlins, showing |
symptoms of fresh cold.
His folks have tried my soul out Of mo-" !
cried Mrs. Hinkle, hastily resuming her wrath, !
" and what's maddened the most has been to see |
Reuben take it 80 cool That man hasn't any |
more nerve than 3 tub of lard ! I wouldn't value |
jumping of the meeting house stceple it /
thought it would give him a start"
ss Poor woman I" said Miss Niddlins, display |
ing the red silk handkerchief which might prop
erly be called her badge OF mourning ITS
duty to yourself tG where you can tax"
g: don't feel clear eaid Mrs. Hinkle, as ahe
settled tho coffee for dinner, and thus ended
their first conference.
But as Miss Niddlins spent the week, justify
r. ham Ef,e and Fra
Hinkle had ample opportunities for renewing
the discussion Of the lattera grievances till,
from not fceling "clear," !" Mrs. Hinkle, BY the
time her guest departed. came to feel as she o1,
husband noticed something aniss with her.
~ wonder whether OF no eege tea wouldn't be
kind Of quoting to Laviny," be reflected one
morning as he logged along to the village after
turnip aeed. ~ hain't seen her 80 fractions
since aho had the neurology in her face. II she
wasn't poor sick creetur don't know but
should get put out with hcr-I really don't :" and
h1r. Hinkle lowered his voice to an awe-struck
whisper as he gave ntterance to this treasonous
.hought. =
.sHis folks" lived in aick-hcadache-colored
1ouse at the -Four Corners, and his sister Phsbe
.as hanging out clothes in the backyard as he
lroVo up.
.'Mercy on US! is Layiny going to make
heese in mud-time ?" was Miss Phebo's an
wer.
"'Tisn't none OF her doings,' said Mr. Hinkle, !
lowly, puniahing the wheel with his whip-lash j;
but she's in a terrible nervous way, andI think
naybe she needs something soothing. What's
,ood for her neTFes?"
II don't know, without it's sound seo!dins,"
eplied Miss Phehe," with her mouth full Of
lothes-pins. !
Now, sister, you're hard on Ls,yiiny," said
dr. Hinl1le, in an injured tone- "she amt
ough, like what you be-"
.sHcr temper is tough enough; but I'm suited
you are, poor soul!" and Miss Phebe hunted
or both sage and valerian, though inwardly
ersuaded that all the poppies in the world
ou1dn't soothe Layiny when she once got " set
ut."
Meanwhile Mrs. Hinkle had been doing furi-
us forenoon's work, and, ready to drop from
was just hanging up the mop after {
crubbing the kitchen floor, when dear blunder- /
IS old Reuben ecultled across the threshold with
is torn paper bags, scattering dried leaves Ike
d autumn wind, and leaving muddy rnoccasin .
:acks at every step. Before those clumsy foot t
rints Mrs. Hinkle's feeble forboarance fled. !
hn1 af11.