Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1873-02-22
HIS FOLKS:
How the Hinkles Settled their MRtriIMO-
nial Difficulties.

hlal D1mcuttheb'
Il can't stand it, and, what's more,
won't" said little Mrs. Hinkle, clutch
ing the bars of her uncomfortable old
cage Of u rocl1ing-chair.
Mr.. Hinkle placidly hung up his
almanac, and went out to SOW the early
peas. He could stand almost anything,
and yet remain as serene as cabbage
head-which, indeed, his wife often said
he resembled. Laviny's tantrums
troubled him about as much as mus
keto's buzzing would trouble an ele-
phant 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 shutfied 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, smiling. She suffered with
chronic cold in the head, which gave
her an extremely sympathetic manner.
cable to be stirring" replied Mr..
Hinkle, shufiling on his brown leather
moccasins. Even cabbage-head may
be, as it usually is, rufled inside; and
deep in his slOw-beating heart Mr.
Hinkle was annoyed at the sight of
Miss Niddlins and the embroidered bed
ticking 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
scare, crows. eyes, really think she
is, " he went on, weighing the PROPOSE
ton deliberately. "Not that l 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 down but that old maid
haim't any call to rile her; and here
Mr.. Hinkle gave the hoe-handle re-
sentful poke, as if it personated the
spinster aforesaid Like many men
not gifted in public speaking, he WIS
much given to talking aloud when alone.
Indoor, his wife claimed exclusive
right of speech.
. "And here I've stuck, like a dab of
putty, from the day I married with
Reuben, she was saying to Miss
Niddlins. "Tve had to walk ON eggs,
or his folks would be III 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
cutting tongue.
"Poor thingl" groaned Miss Md
dlins, using her handkerchief just then
because it would produce the effect Of
pity.
"See how was put upon this morn
by his sister Phebe, said Mrs. Hinkle,
moving the end of her nose rapidly back
and forth with her fore-fnger, as if she
were playing on Jew's-harp. "That
woman had the impudence to twist me
of neglecting Reuben, BECAUSE l leave
him to get his own supper sewing. circle
nights y
Don't tell me so!' shifted. Miss
Niddlins, "Did Mr.. Hinkle complain
to her?"
"Catch him complaining !" cried
Mrs. Hinkle; che hasn't got spunk
enough. Why he's no more grit than
hay stack, and he's as sOt. 1 couldn't
make him break with his folks IT ! was
to suffer. Wish 1 was single then !
wouldn't be nosed round by 'em. Now
here You are, free to go when you
please !"
Miss Niddlms sighed an affirmative.
It was her peculiar trial that her rsi%
tives never opposed her going.
"If you was to separate, / suppose
you've got enough to live on, suggest
cd she cautiously.
Mrs. Hinkle's rocker ierked itself
into full stop. She had often said
that "Reuben must choose betwixt his
folks and hef, that "she would take
herself of, " and the like but to have a