The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-07-06

having my dinner, and did not care to
provoke my wife; land I am very
sorry that you deem it necessary to en-
gage in it. Why don't you sit down
quietly and let the servants do the
work. I don't think it necessary for
you to lift finger to it,"
"Nicely the house would be cleaned,
indeed" she replied, eff 1 did not.
You men know nothing about it, and
L just wish you wouldn't speak another
word on the subject"
"Very well, let me have some dinner
to put into my mouth, and l will not.
If there be one thing 1 dislike more
than another, it is going without my
dinner"
II am sure don't know" said my
wife," "what you will have to eat, for
it is utterly impossible for me or either
the servants to stop work at present to
cook anything"
"Oh, anything will answer" l said;
"a piece of cold meat-pie, or slice of
boiled ham, for instance. That. to-
gethef with an apple tart and glass of
wine, I think will suffice. Let one of
the servants set the table in the Ii
brary, and then send the things un, if
you please"
My wife laughed.
"If you think" she said, "that we
have any meat pie or boiled ham in
the house, you are greatly mistaken"
"We had some yesterday" I an
swered. ''Where has it gone TOP"
"Gone to?" echoed my wife. "Don't
you suppose the children and servants
must eat ?'
"Why, yes, certainly" answered,
but"
"But what ," interrupted my wife.
"You don't think a meat pie will last
forever, do you?"
at house cleaning time always had a
meat pie and boiled ham in the cup
board for the children"
''There it is again." exclaimed my
wife; '.you are always comparing my
housekeeping with your mothers,
and don't like it. 1 endeavor to do
the best can, and if fail to have a
meat pie and boiled ham in the house
whenever you ask for them, L am GER
tain to have your mothers ways cast
into my face. I don't do things as
your mother did. know, and, what's
more, don't intend to. If you are
not satisfied with my house keeping,
why you had better hire house keeper
who will suit you better. 1 never
heard my father-and he was most
fastidious man-complain of my moth
er's housekeeping, and she taught me.
Everybody who knew my mother al
ways said she was the neatest and most |
perfect of use-keepers."
Good gracious! I exclaimed
"don't say anything more to me about
your mother, for if there be one thing
L dislike more than other, it is to hear
about her housekeeping. But now,
while you are talking about the excel
lent housekeeping qualities of your
mother and yourself, L am starving.
Now once for all can I have any din
ner or nOt?"
"Certainly," answered my wife;
Just as soon as am able to get it for
you."
''When will that be ?' asked.
"In about an hour" she replied.
81 can't wait so long" I said. 81
have an engagement to meet q gentle
man on particular basiness at eight
o'clock, and here it is seven. I see
hat I'll have to go and get my dinner
there's no help for it. I'n
have good one, at all events" 1
added, as L drew on my gloves.
Eyes, you had better co." said my
wife, "and leave me here to eat dry
bread, while you spend two or three
lollars on dinner. My father never
eft my mother when in this way"
"What do you mean ?" inquired,
'lightly startled, "by lin this way?'"
"Why, in the midst of house-clean-
ng, of course" she replied; "what
,ther way could I mean?"
"Oh!" I said, much relieved by her
"I thought perhaps you
meant"
Sir" said my wife, indignantly,
you will oAige me, now, by going
'ut and getting your dinner wherever
you please, and paying just as much as
you like for it. But my father
"My DEAR" said, interrupting her,
IF there be one thing I dislike more
ho - &c To | .
ather. Good-bye!"
L placed my hand upon the knob of
,he door, to open it, when Katy, enter
ng the room, said that dinner was on /,
he table. Immediately turned to
my wife, who had been arranging her ,
hair and performing other toilet duties,
Turing our confab, and offering her my
arm, which she took, we proceeded to
,he dining-room. I