Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-02-13
HIS FOLKS.

p. HIS FOLhS.
81 can't stand it, and what's more l
won't" said little Mrs. Hinkle, clutching
the bars of her uncomfortable old cage
of n rocking chair.
Mr.. HinEle placidly hung Aup his al
manac, and went out to SOW the early
peas. He ecould stand almost anything,
and vet remain as serene as cabbage
head-which, indeeS, his wife often
said he resembled. Lavinys tantrumS
troubled him about as much as mo-
sauito'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 herswing-
ing herself seasick in the rocker, and
shTfled off to the garden with q 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, shuffling on his brown leather
moccasins. Even a cabbage head may
be, rs il usually is, ruffied inside and
deep in his acknowledgement Mr.. Hin
kle was annoyed at the sight of Miss
Niddlins and thu smbroieacrcdb bpd-ttek-
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, 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 Sown: cut that old maid
bain't any call to rile her ;S'' and here
Mr.. Hinkle gave the hoe ha,dle a 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-a dab of
putty, from the day 1 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 my
doings, and, you may depend upon 1t,
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 1 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 SOL" shifted Miss,
Niddlips. "Did Mr.. Hinkle complain
to herr"
"Catch him complaining !" cried Mrs.
Hinklc "he hasn't got sprmk enough.
Why, he's no more grit than hay-stick
and he's as SOt. 1 couldn't make him
break with his folks if 1 was to suffer.
Wish I was single then wouldn't be
nosedround sy. eng Now here you are,
free to gowhen you please y
Miss Niddlins sighed in the affirma-
tive. 1t was her peculiar trial that her
relatives never opposed her going. .-
" If you was to separate, [ suppose
you've got enough to live on, suggest
ed she, cautiously. --- ..
Mrs. Hinkle's rocker jerked itself
into full stop. She had oft-n said
"Rcuben must choose betwixt his
folks and her." that "she would take
herself off," and the like but to have
third person hint at a separation.
startled her.
Well-ves," said she, hesitatingly.
GIVE got the property brought with
me when I was married. won't deny
but that Reuben has done the fair thing
there but then, if he'dbeen some men;
he might have doubled it by this time.
The long and short of it is, he's half
a sleep. ] have to keep stirring him
kup, after all, he don't appreciate me -
Il believe it would wake him pretty
. thoroughly if you should leave him."
eturned Miss Niddlins. "He'd begin
t. realize what q smart wife he'd lost. -,
He'd clutter the kitchen with his
greasy harnesses, and camp down on
the lunge in his boots-that's what he'd
do-the minute I was off," snapped
Mrs. Hinkle.
"He couldn't manage without you,
to save his life," declared Miss Niddlins
confidently. He'd go down on his
knees to you to get you back"
Mrs. Hinkle seemed fattered by the
idea.
"a pretty figure se'd cut" laughed
she, "fat as he is, and looking, you
might say, as if he'd been blown up in
his clothes !"