Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-04-02

" l can stand N, ana WHAT'S more,
WON'T said little Mrs. Ilinkle, clutching
the bars Of her uncomfortable cage Of a
rocking chair.
Mr.. lIinkle placidly hung up his almanac
and went out to SOW the early peas lie
could stand almost anything and yet remain
as seroue as cabbage e-head--which, in
deed, bis wife often said he resemhled
Laviny's tantrums troubled him about as
much as a musquito's buzzing would trouble
an elephants but he thought they we're
kind Of wearing to her, aud that she " came
to quicker alone. So he left her swing
lug herself sea sick in the rocker, and shuf-
fed Of to the garden with hoe and pint
dipper Of peas. At tho gate he met Miss
Niddlins.
" And how's your poor wiie?" said she,
shifting. She suffered with a chronic cold
in the head, which gave her an extremely
sympathetic manner.
a." Able to be stirring" replied Mr.
linkle, shutfling on his brown leather moe.
casins Even a cabbage-held may be, as
it usually is rufled inside; aud deep in
bis sIow-beating heart Mr. Hinkle was an
noyed at the sight Of Miss Niddlins aud the
embroidered bed-ticking bag which be-
tokened a weeks visit.
"L1yinys putchiky enough without be-
ing set on, said he, leaning on his hoe in
the fayorite attitude adopted by scare
sorrows Yes, really think she is he
went on, weighing the proposition deliber-
ate'y. " Not that | mind her being spry
tempered and splitting out at me. It's only
a way she has, aud comes Of her enjoying
such poor health. She'll cool down but
that old maid haiu't any call rle her :"
and here Mr. Iliukle gave the hoe handle
resentful poke, as if it personated the
spins;er 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 Reu-
ben" she was saying to Miss Niddlins.--
" We 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 cutting
tongue.
" Poor thing I" groaned Miss Niddlins,
using her handkerchief just then because it
would produce the effect Of pity.
" See bow was put upon this morn
ing by his sister Phebe,' said Mrs. Hin
kle, moving the end of her nose rapidly
back and forth with her fore Gngor, as if
she were playing on Jewsharp. THAT
woman had the impudence to twit me Of
neglecting Reuben, because | leave him to
get his own supper sewing circle nights !"
"Don't tell me so !" shifted Miss Nddlins
"Did Mr.. Hinkle complain to her ?"
Catch him complaining" cried Mrs
Hiukle "he hau't got spuuk enough. Why
he's no more grit than hay.stack, and he's
as sot. | couldn't make him break with
bis folks if was to suffer. Wish was
single, then | wouldn't be nosed round by
EN-. Now there you are, free to 20 when
you please
Miss Nidllins sighed an affirmative. 1t
was her peculiar trial that her relatives
never opposed her going.
"lf you was to separate, suppose you've
got enough to live on, suggested she eau
tiously.
Mrs. Ilinke's rocker jerked itself into
full stop. She had often said that "Reu-
beu must choose betwxt his folks aud her"
that "she would take herself off, and the
like but to have third person hint at a
separation startled her
"Well-yes," said she hesitatingly /;
I'ys got the property brought with me
when | was married won't deny but
what 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 half asleep. have
to keep stirring him up, aud after all, he
don't appreciate me"
IL believe it would wake him pretty
thoroughly if you should leave him." re-
turned Miss Niddlins He'd begin to
realize what smart wife he'd lost"
"He'd clutter the kitchen with his greasy
harnesses, aud camp down on the lounge in
his boots-thats what he'd do, the minute
| was of - snapped Mrs. Hinkle.
Z" He couldn't manage without you, to
save his liie,' declared Mrs. Niddlins, con-
fidently. "He'd 20 down on his knees to
you to get you back"
Mrs Ilinke seemed fsttercd by the
idea. "a pretty figure he'd cut" laughed
she, " fat as he is, and looking, you might
say, as it he'd been blown up in his
clothes
IL N sure don't see how you can smile.
situated as you are" said Miss Niddins,
showing symptoms Of fresh cold.
''llis folks have tried my soul out of
me, cried Mrs. Hinkle, hastily resumipg
her wrath sand what's maddened me the
most has been to see Reuben take it SO
cool. That man hasn't any more nerves
than tub OF lard | wouldn't value jump
ing of the meeting house steeple If
thought it would give him a START
"Poor woman said Miss Niddlins, dis
playing. the red silk handkerchief that
might properly be called her badge Of
mourning "It's your duty to yourself to
60 where you can take some peace of your
life" Hrf
II don't feel clear said Mrs. Hiskle,
as she settled the coffee for dinner; aud
thus ended their first conference.
Bat as Miss Niddips spent the week
jusdfying Mr.. Hinkle's spprehcnsions, she
and Mrs. IliDklc had ample opportunities
for renewing the discussion Of the latter's
grievances, till, from not feeling clear"
Mrs. Iiinkle, by the time her guest depart.
ed, came to feel as she expressed II, " all 10
muddle" Eycn her ox.eyed husband no.
ticed something amiss with her.
% wonder whether or no sage tea
woulds't be kind of quietipg to Laviny,"
he reflected one morning as he logged along
TO the village after turnip seed. | haint
seen her SO fractious since she had the neu-
rology in her face. If she wasn's poor,
o