Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-06-01
Select Story.
Hew Mr.. Mimpbieuf
Kept House.

Not much to do, did you say, my
dear?" remarked Mrs. Mimpbleuf
pausing before her liege lord, and
gazing at him Indignantly.
"Yes," growled the gentleman; Its
a mystery to me what women have
to grunble about; especially you, my
love, with small house, and only
four children to attend to. Whereas
We men have an intolerable burden
resting upon our shoulders, and when
We return weary and perplexed to
our homes, expecting to find rest and
quiet, we are greeted with the old
old story-'so much to do-tired to
death-children so Troublesome
and thousand other complaints"
Mrs. Mimpbleuf turned away to
hide the two pearly tears which rose
to her large blue eyes and rolled
slowly down the fair round cheeks,
and made no reply; while her hus-
band lighted his cigar and walked
leisurely up to his Office.
He was somewhat astonished at
noon by his wife's announcing her in
tention of leaving the house in his
care, and accepting an invitation to
spend few weeks with her cou sin in
the country.
"You need little rest, Jeremiah,
and while am gone you can close
your Office and stay at home, and
have a nice easy time, with only n
few household duties to attend to, "
declared Bellina, kindly.
Mr.. jeremiah Elijah Mimpbleuf
scowled
DO you mean to say that 1 am to
devote my whole attention to house
hold matters? Why, madam, 1 can
easily do what little there is to be
done, and see to my business also"
But the children?" suggested his
wife,
"You will take them with you, of
course" he replied indifferently.
"Oh, mol 1 couldn't be bothered
with them" answered Bellina stifly.
Mr.. Mimpbleuf looked somewhat
blank at her declaration, but notic-
ing the least perceptible twinkle in
her eyes, he fastened TO say:
Very well, leave them at home
four children are nothing to look af-
ter, and l shall manage beautifully.
Now" thought our hero, the
morning OF his wife's departure, "Pll
begin by Strengthening up the dining
room and washing the dishes"
Two plates, one saucer, and the
china tea urn was broken in clearing
of the table; but he was not dis
couraged, and congratulated himself
that it was no worse. The fire had
gone out i'm the kitchen stove, so that
he was obliged to use cold water for
washing the dishes, which only har-
dened the grease without removing
it, and he was in a quandary; for
jeremiah was a very fastidious per-
son, and abhorred a plate that was
not perfectly clean. So he rubbed
and rubbed, but with no success; and
to make matters more serious, he
found himself completely drenched
in greasy water. His handsome
dressing gown was ruined, and his
new embroidered slippers wet and
soiled
He built rousing fire at noon, and
put the meat directly over it to broil;
then he rummaged around for half
an hour to find "a cook book, and af-
ter accomplishing this feat, he joy
fully announced his intention OF hav-
ing biscuits for dinner. He accor-
dinghy got all the tinware out upon
the table, and succeeded i'm dirtying
some half dozen pans, three cups, and
six or eight spoons. When they
were at last made, he referred once
more to the cook book.
1T says. bake in a quick oven,'"
mused Mr.. Mimpbleuf; Il wonder if
ours is quick oven? Iguess it is,
for Bellina always has first-rate bis
cults, so here they go" and he showed
in the pan.
A flame suddenly burst out all
around the gridiron. and, after re-
moving it, he found that after get
ting we'll smoked, the meat had
burned to a crisp on the side next the
fire.
Now IL there was one thing more
than another that jeremiah was par
ticular about, it was steaks being
rare, and he remembered a certain
occasion when he had risen from the
table in disgust, and left the house in
a rage, because the meat was cooked
little too much-two Of the child
rem being ill, and his wife without a
servant. Still that was no excuse in
the austere eyes Of Jeremiah Mimp-
bleuf, and he showed his displeasure
by slamming the front door forcibly