The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-03-18

ing if the Id one -ssObligcd to meet a
man on his business would do, the
clock struck one. He thought hardly Of
it, and he muttered hard words under his
breath. Was his wife awake! Would she
notice that he had been drinking! Quiet
~ as he came in, Mrs. Brown heard him,
for he was on her mind. He stopped
moment at his chamber door, opened it in
his stocking feet, started and dropped his
seoes, as she, sitting up in bed, met him
with:
rs that you, Brown? I thought you
would never come; my head aches SO
Hand me that bottle
He did as he was hidden, muttering ex-
cuses the while for being SO late; he was
detained and SO forth. She did not reply
to him. He felt this was ominous, so
fastened his proceedings. When the
light was out, she turned away and
sighed:
.sThe invitations to Amanda's wedding
have come
He made no reply.
Il shall be obliged to make her pres
ent, of course. Her mother made me q
present when | was married.
He did not speak.
'sYou have not been in the house long
enough these last two months for me to
speak to you about this she said sharp
~, and waited for an answer.
ssPresents cost money.
s'Of course they do; so do elections
He turned uneasily.
"We must make her a present. and
handsome one two; owe her one"
''You made bargain, did you!'
IF you choose to call it that. | am
not going to be put upon. Mr.. Brown, nor
am going TO made to appear mean. Mrs.
Smith and Mrs. Jones will give her some
thing, and more will be expected Of me, q
relative. | am not going to see my name
in the paper tackled to pincushion, can
tell you.'
Mr.. Brown softly snored. She had
struck the first blow and would put in .
wedge and leave it.
''You think it costs money to do as
you should do by my relations, but it
don t cost anything to be out every night
for two months drinking beer, eating sup
pers and spending time trying to get
Judge Abbott elected. and not doing it
after all, while staid at home and took
care of the children, who have hardly
known they had father. 1t is my turn
now; if you can spend on elections, can
spend on wedding pres ent.
This was spoken viciously and deter.
minedly as she jerked the bed clothes and
turned her back to him.
Mrs. Brown was up early next morn
ing. She was down while he still slept,
saw that the dining room was comfortable,
the table nicely set, and ordered his fa-
vorite dish, seeing herself to the coffee,
about which he was particular. She
heard him moving. She took a look in
the glass to be sure her collar was neat
~ arranged and her hair all right, then
with little book in her hand, entered
their bedroom. Brown vas drawing on
his boots. Is breakfast ready, she asked
sit will be in few minutes" She took
a seat by the window. Il have some
thing to read to you She opened the
book.
September s. Mr.. Brown left home
at eleven.
September o. Mr.. Brown went out
before breakfast. came home at six to dim
ner, left at two minutes of seven, went
to bed at quarter past ten, and he had not
returned
At first in astonishment, not knowing
what was coming Brown had stopped
pulling on his boots to listen). he stamped
heavily in them while he jerked down his
pantaloons. She quietly read on through
September.
October l. Mr.. Brown did not get up
till breakfast was on the table. tNr.
Brown souscd his face in the water,
rubbed his head and ears Justify, and did
not hear.) Mr.. Brown came home at six
to dinner; Mr.. Smith called for him, and
they went out together. He came in at
| five minutes to twelve.
October 3. Mr.. Brown WINGED as
he dragged the comb through his head,
seized the brush. used it once or twice.
threw it in the corner Of the room, and
turned to get bis handkerchief Mrs.
Brown paused in her reading.
II have kept regular account. Mr..
Brown. and in two months. Sundays in
Guided. except when asleep, you have
spent only eighteen hours and twenty
minutes with your family, while have
remained at home and shaved for them.
and now cannot make my cousin we'd
ding present, because it will cost money
Very we'll, shall write to my mother to
come and keep house for me. shall 20
to the wedding and stay and pay Amanda
q visit I"
The house shook with the slam Mr..
Brown gave the door as he went out.
When she reached the dining room he
was seated at the table. His appetite
was excellent. and he enjoyed his break
fast. She was soft-voiced, amiable, talk
cd great deal to the children. It was
late when the meal was over. Brown
hurried up stairs, hurried down and clos
ed the front door after him, opened it
again and called out, You had better 60
to Smiths to buy that present. Tell him
to send the bill to the store
A curious case of assumption Of sex
Was lately discovered in Paris. A PEN
stoned officer named SeDkeisen. now near
" eighty years old, fell il. and had to be
fakcr II the NDckar Hnur.+~f 1hn~~