Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-21

sire to act as god parents to the youthful
Highly, it was impossible to balk their
wish Over the remaining sponsor there
ensued the grand struggle. Harry would
have liked his Uncle Job (whom Matilda
Jane seldom allowed within the house,;
but his larger if not better half was de-
termined that her Uncle Aristides, her
late fathers brother, should be selected.
Matilda Jane, be ii noted, believed in her
uncle, who had passed some years in
Australia, but was now an GILMAN in the
Borough, a bachelor, and, by reason of
his colonial experiences, claimed to be a
very clever and practical man. This gen
tIeman, like Matilda James surviving
parent snubbed Harry, and considered
him as much inferior to them in intel
lectual and moral attributes as he was in
size; so, altogether, very pretty family
quarrel seemed to be brewing over the
matter of the christening Of the infant
Highly.
On the present occasion the irritable
Mrs. Highly allowed her spouse an hour
and halls peace ere she returned TO re-
new the attack. Harry, being in the calm
enjoyment of cigar and the latest novel,
was indfsposed to resume hOstilities; but
the lady was not to be defeated in her OBJ
iect. She hustled about the place, noisilv
arranging the chairs, ETC., savageIy stir
ring the fire, and ringing the hand bell
for the servant with such vehemence that
at last Harry was fain to put aside his
novel and content himself with smoking
and staring at the blazing Goals Mrs
Highly was an adept in all those petty
feminine devices for annoying the male
10 10 h.
women; so, when she saw that she had
succeeded in making her husband forego
the exciting narrative which had solaced
him in her absence, she began TO make
comments about the ill-savor of his
likely to ensue to the winter curtains,
only that morning brought out and sus-
pended for the ensuing season.
When all else failed to arouse the
placid Harry, Mrs. Highly invariably
fell back upon the quality of his cigars,
which she querulously proceeded to dis
parage.
ooh, that's your opinion, is it? Well,
look here; you seem to know lot about
tobacco; but / don't know how you
should, unless the old lady used to have
hers on the quiet, and puff ii up the chin
ney." BY the "old lady" Harry alluded
to the respectable person who owned Ma
tilda Jane as her daughter. Certainly, it
was highly improper remark to make, but
that he was not disposed to stick at such
trifie as filial respect. 1t need scarcely
be said that at once Matilda James food
gates were opened, copious shower of
tears burst forth, but amid her sobs she
j 70, I, nh,
it for this married you? Do you think
my mother, who comes from one of the
first Scotch families, although she cannot
now beast of ancestral Estates" etc.
Harry was exceedingly fond of his
wife, despite her aggravating temper, and
knew that she worked hard to insure the
comfort and preserve the responsibility OF
his home He could not bear to see her
cry; so, impatiently finging his cigar
ed to throw oil upon the troubled waters.
"Well, Matilda Jane, perhaps did go
a little too far. l didn't mean to hurt
your feelings"
ooh, you treat me cruelty" exclaimed
the sobbing lady; "you try my love too
much, indeed you do. But since you re
why, | forgive YOU"
Matilda Jane dried her eyes-it was
wonderful what control she had over
those water-spouts-and in a brief space
she brought her work to the fire and
began stitching away at baby's first pima
fore as though nothing had occurred to
disturb the matrimonial harmony. Harry
once more took up his novel, and was get
ting deeply interested in a love scene,
when his wife, noticing that his temper
was restored again, returned to the charge.
Harry, DEAR she said, u" [ don't wish
to be troublesome; but, remember, we
have not yet settled about the christen-
ing" Her husband TRANQUILITY observed
that although he was then in a most crit
ical portion of the novel he was quite
willing to talk about what was so near to
his Matilda James heart; to which his
spouse answered: "That's dear, good
fellow; my Harry's himself again" The
arttul Mrs II. had an idea that by a
further exhibition of temper she might
make her husband Obstinate; the end she
had in view was more likely to be attained
by show of Cancellation and witely ODE
dience. She resumed: OF course ii you
would prefer Uncle Job to Uncle Arts
tides, why, we'll send the invitation to
Uncle Job at once; only-you won't be
angry, will you, Harry, if tell you why l
would rather have Uncle ArIsddes?
Promise you won't, now, dearW That in
sinuating woman, as though swayed by
an uncomfortable impulse of affection,
| suddenly thrust baby's pinafore aside,
and, pulling her gaunt figure up to its full
height, clasped her husbands head be-
| tween her two hands and gave him a
sounding kiss. What loving husband
could do less than smile benignantly,
draw stool to his side and invite the
partner of his life to sit thereon? Thus
comfortably posed, Matilda and her hus-
band debated whether Uncle Job or Uncle
! Arlstldes was to carry the day.
Now, Harry" resumed Mrs. Highly,
eve can't blind ourselves to the fact that
| there's vast difference in the social po-
sition OF our uncles. Aristides Brownjohn
is thriving tradesman, and he has no
one to leave his money to but ourselves
we know he's taken a great fancy to our
boy and expects to be asked. If he isn't,
perhaps he'll take offense, and leave all
his property to an hospital or something.
Do you see that, Harry?"
Her husband nodded his head. So far,
Matilda's way of putting the matter was
certainly sensible, and displayed proper
consideration for the future prosperity OF
their offspring.
"Now let's look at the other side.
Uncle Job-dear old fellow as he is ~
Harry was somewhat surprised to hear his
wife speak of his sole relative IN these
affectionate terms) -"is little else but a
waif and stray Everybody knows it's
| not his fault, but whatever he touches he's