Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-06-17

| DeleNe u WOuiu NNhc hlui pictt.
thoroughly if you should leave him." re
turned Miss Niddlins. He'd begin Il
realize what smart wife he'd lost"
He'd clutter the kitchen with hi
greasy harness, and camp down on tht
lounge in his boots-that's what he'd dc
the minute l was Off, snapped Mrs
IIinkle.
ale couldn't manage without you to
save his life," declared Miss NiddIins
confidently. He'd 60 down on hi:
knees to you to get you back"
. Mrs. Hiukle seemed haitercd 10y the
idea.
"A pretty figure he'd cut" laughed
she, "lat as nc is, and looking, YOU might
say, as if he'd been blown up in his
clolhesm
"Im sure don't see how you can
smile situated rs you are." said Miss
Niddlins. showing symptoms of fresh
cold.
Ellis folks have tried my soul out OF
me, " cried Mrs. Hmklc. hastily resum
| ing her wrath. land what maddened me
the mos, has been 10 see Reuben take it
so cool, That man hasn't any more
nerve than tub OF lard wouldn't
value jumping off the meeting house
slceple if l thought it would give him n
start"
Poor woman" said Miss NiddlnS,
displaying the red silk handkerchief
which might properly he called her
badge of mourning. "Ils your duty to
yourself 10 go where you can take some
peace in your life -
Il don't feel clear said Mrs. Hiuklc.
ss she settled the coffee Tor dinner. and
thus ended the first conference.
But rs Miss Niddlins spent the week
juslilymg Mr.. Hinkle's apprchensions,
she and Mrs. Hinkle had ample opportu
mites for renewing the discussion Of the
laItci's grievances till, from not feeling
Clear" Mrs Ilinkle, by the time her
guest departed came to feel rs she eX.
pressed it, "all in a muddle." Even her
OK eyed husband noticed something amisS
with her.
Il wonder whether OF no sage tea
wouldR'l be kind of quieling 10 Layiny,'
he reflected one morning as he logged
along to the village after turnip seed.
IL halni seen her so lractious since
she had the neurology in her face. II
she wasn't poor sick creetur | don't
know but should get put out with her
really don't" and Mr.. Hinkle lowered
his voice TO an aweslruck whisper AS he
gave utterance to this trcasonOus thought.
Ills folks" lived in sick headache
coIorcd house at the Four Corners. and
his sister PLebe was hangin. out clothes
in the backyard as he drove up.
Got any sage to spare ~ cried MIR.
Hinkle, whoaing Dobbin.
Mercy on Us. is Laviny going to
make cheese in mud time p was Miss
Phebe's answer.
"Ti.n't none of her doinss," said Mr.
Ilinkle. slowly, Furnishing the wheel
with his whip lash; "but she's in a terri
bic nervous way, and | think. may be she
needs something soothing. What's good
for her nerves? ?"
II don't know, without It's sound
scoldins, replied Mise Phebe, with her
mouth full OF clothes pins.
Now, sister yop',e hard on I.aviny,"
said Mr., Hinkle. in IN injured tone.
"She STINT tough like what you be-"
Her temper is tough enough; but I'm
suited if you are, poor sOulm and Miss
phebe hunted for both sage and yalerian,
though inwardIy persuaded that all the
poppies in the world couldn't sooihc
"a, iny when sue once got "set out"
Meanwhile Mrs. Hinkle had bsen doing
furious iorenoon'S w0rk, aud. ready to
drop from exhaustion. was just hanging Up
the mop after scrubbing the kitchen floor,
when dear, blunderins old Reuben scul.
fed across the threshold with his torn
paper bags, scattering dried leaves like
40 Autumn wind. .nd leaving muddy
moccasin tracks al every step. Before
those clumsy footprints Mrs, Hinkle's
feeling Of lolbearance fed. The herbs
her husband trusted might prove 4 mar.
cotic acted upon her as q powerful irri-
tAnt.
"Keubeu Hmkle~ said she. bracing
her aching back against the pump. show
much longer do you think I'm going to
wash floors Tor you to litter?"
There. there now don't fret" plead.
ed Reuben, "rll sweepit up. You do
pulter round more'n you're able, that's .
fact. You know I'm ready and willing
10 nlIe u SHl any uHN
"A girl smouchiug my paint " cried Mrs.
Hinkle, in wrath. Put down the broom,
you've made tracks enough. Your folks
shall never have that to handle. that |
spend your money on hired help"
YOU'RE rather hard on 'em Laviny."
said Mr.. Hinkles; "they mean we'll by
YOU. Here's Phebe. now, been aud sent
you something stilling. | told her what
a fizz your nerves had been in lately"
so you've been running me down to
your folks !" cried Mrs. Hinkle, glarng
at her husband. after all I've stood
fiom you, Reuben. it's too much! =