Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-08


temper"
Evelyn, with dewy moisture shadowing
her syelashes, and y dull ache mt her heart.
followed her liege lord down TO the break
fast table, with as little appetite for the
coffee and toast and eggs as might be.
tall. hluereyed young lady, with .. pro-
fusion of bright chestnut hair, and cheeks
like roso velvet WINS already ut the table
when they descended by name Clara
Pruyn, by lineage Mrs. ,Darcy's sister. She
opened her blue eyes rather wide rs the two.
entered, and exclaimedsp ta. f..i ,ias,.o. \
Good kraciousl Evy. whaCsthe mnt.erpn
Nothing" answered Luke, tartiy. Mrs.
Darcy. you appear to have forgotten that /
have eatenno breakfast a .a.t,, .
"Something is the matter, thouah.r said
Clara, shrewtlly. "What Is II, evelyn
Has Luke had one Of his tantrumse''
Luke set down his coHee cup with sharp
clink.
"You use very peculiar expressions. Miss
| Pruyn."
every true ones" said Clara saucily.
Evelyn smiled in spite Of herself
Its only Freddy. who feels little cross.
and"
"A little cross" interrupted the Indignant
husband. II tell you, Evelyn, it's quite
time that temper WINS checked. OIL the
parrot what nm intolerablo screeching he
keeps upl Mary, take that bird into the
kitchen, or shall beltempted to wiring its
neck. Strange that man can't have lit
tie peace once in whilep What does ail
the eggs, EvelynP | thought asksd you to
sec TINT they were boiled fl for Christians
| to eat "
Mr., Darcy gave his egg, shell and all, a
vindietive throw upon the CRATE Evelyn's
brown eyes sparkled dangerously MS she oh
served the maneuver, but she made no re-
mark.
And the plates arr as cold rs stone,
when I've implored, again and again. that
they might be warmed, Well, shall cat
no breakfast this morning"
Whom will you punish mostP" demand
ed Miss Clara. Evelyn. give me another
cup of coftee-it is perfectly delightful"
Luke pushed his chair back with a ven
geance, and took up his stRnd Slth his back
to the fire, both hands under his coat-tails,
|
ly advancing, 1.-THE gas-bill--the man says,
wonld you settle It while"
~"Now reared Luke. tempestuously. "Tell
the man to go about his business; I'll have
no small bill this morning. and won't be
SO persecutedm rt :
Mary retreated precIpiiately Clara raised
her long brown eyelashes.
do you know. Luke, y she said demursly.
II think you would feel great deal hotter
If you would just do as Freddy does-lic
fat down on the aoor, aud kick your heels
against the carpet for a while. It's an OK
oellent escape vsslve when your choler gets
the better Of you.r
Lake gave his mischievous sister-in-law n
glance that ought certainly to have anuihi-
lated her, and walked out OF the room. clos
ing the door behind him with hang that
would hear no Interpretation. Then Clara
came round to her sisters side. and buried
her pink face in EvelynSnedk. 6 hv1 D.
Don't scold me. Evy, pleased know
I've been very naughty TO tease Luke so!'
You have spoken nothing but the truth"
said Evelyn, quietly, with her coral lips COM
pressed, and scarlet Spot burning on either
cheek. "Clara, / sometimes wonder how
can endure the daily cross Of my husbands
tempsr!"
Temperr' said Clara. with n toss of her
chestnut brown hair. And the poor, dear
fellow hasn't tho least idea how disagreeable
he makes himself"
"Only this morning" said Evelyn. 81 he
punished Freddy with unrelenting saxsrity
for a fit Of ill-humor which he himself has
duplicated within the last half hour. | am
not II moralist, but II strikes me that the fault
Is rather moro to be censured in full-grown
reasoning man than child"
Evelyn" said Clara gravely. "do you
suppose he Is beyond the power OF cureP"
II hope not; hut what can doP BhuthinI
up rs he shut little Freddy"
Evelyn's merry, irresistible laugh was
checked by the arch, peculiar expression in
Clara's blue eyes.
1.-The remedy needs to be something short
and sharp" said Clara. /" and the d.trk-closet
system certainly combines both requisites.
Tears and Mysteries are played out long ago
in matrimonial skirmishes, you know Evy"
Nonsense!" laughed Mrs. Darcy, rising
from the breakiast.tahle In obedience to her
husbands poremptory summons from above
stairs, while Clara shrugged her shoulders
and went to look for her work baskets
Luke was standing in front of his bureau
drawer, hinging SHIRTS collars, cravats, and
stockings rcckessly on the bedroom floor.
I'D like to know where my silk handker-
chiefs are, Mrs. Darcy!" he fumed "Such
TT Ia
drive II man crazyw
It's enough 30 dFivea wOniaH crazy, l
Think ~ said Evelyn hopelessly. STOPPING 10
pick up few of the scattered things.
" You were Mt the bureau last, Luke. II
is your own faultr' .-uI.-
I my fault-of course it's my faultl" snarl-
ed Luke. giving Mrs. Darcy's poodle kick
that sent it bowling to its mistreAs. ANY
thing but woman's retorting, discriminating
tongue. Mrs. Darcy, won't endure it any
longerw
Neither will IT. said Evelyn. resolutely
advancing, rs her husband plunged int the
closet for his business coat, and promptly
shutting and locking the door. Il think
I've endured II quite long enough-7ahd here's
m end to itr'
Mrs. Darcy open this doorw said Luke.
scarcely able to credit the evidence OF his
senses.
- shall do no such thing" said Mrs. Oar
cy. cOmpOsedly beginning TO re-arrahgo
shirts, stockings. and flannel wrappers in
their appropriate reoeptaoles. .. ...
MRS. Dar-cyr roared Luke, at fever
heat OF impotent rage, what oil earth do
you mean?"
&" mean to keep you in that clotheapress,
Mr.. Darcy, until you have made up your
mind To come out in more amitble frame
Of mind, II the system succeeds with Fred