The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-10-14

l1lSlicSS vi bliC nOuSChOiOs
Hitherto Major Flint had forebore to
''show his hand" Now, however, that
their married life had fairly begun, he
thought it quite time to do so.
81 have given Mrs. Burns weeks
warming" he remarked at the breakfast
table, the morning after their return.
Mrs. Burns had been housekeeper and
maid-ofall-work, the entire duties of the
household devolving upon her.
"And why have you given her
weeks warning ?" said the lady, COM
posedly. "Are you not satisfied with
her?
st is not that, madam, y said the Ma
jor, deliberately.
"Any difficulty about wages ?" asked
his wife, unconcernedly.
"No," said her husband feeling some
what embarrassed. The fact is, Mrs.
Flint, there is not very much work to
do in our small household, at least, no
more than one pair of hands can easily
do. My first wife always did her own
work, and with ease, though she was
not very strong woman"
Did she not die very young ?" said
wife number two, slipping her coffee,
composedly.
"Why, yes," said the obtuse Mr..
Flint, little disconnected. " You
know the young die as well as the
aged.'
$50 1 have heard" returned his
wife.
Major Flint was good deal puzzled
by the matter-o fact manner of his new
wife. Her cool selfpossession awed
him in spite of himself. If she had
stormed, he would have felt better pre-
pared to meet the emergency.
81 shall permit my children to remain
where they are, at my mothers, until
you get accustomed to the house little
In the course of week." he added,
"you will get an idea of the extent of
the work by observing Mrs. Burns"
And rising from the table, he was
about to leave the room, when his foot
steps were arrested by the simple ad-
dress:
Major Flint"
"Well p,' said he, turning back.
1t appears that you have been MAX
ing these arrangements without con-
sulting me-"
Major Flint was astonished at his
wife's temerity.
You, MADAME Why should con-
suit you about my arrangements ?"
Because I may not approve them. "
Mrs. Flint" he said, severely, sit is
your duty to acquiesce in whatever plans
L, as your husband, see fit to FORM"
Indeed, never took that view of
the matter"
Then the sooner you taRe ii the bet
ter,'' he said, pompously.
6 Do 1 understand that you expect me
to perform all the labor required in this
establishment y''
Exactly so, madam"
81 believe you are considered rich
man, Mr.. Flint"
81 am accounted so," he replied, COM
placently.
And quite able to hire domestic as
sistance ?"
"Yes, if it were needful."
"Suppose say that it is needful."
should take the liberty to doubt it,
madam"
Every well, Mr.. Flint, since you force
it upon me, may as well tell you first
as last my decision on this point. You
offered me the position of wife, not that
of maid-servant. On this understanding
accepted you. Yet, if your circum-
stances ever become such as to require
1T, shall not hesitate for moment to
conform to them. 1 only object to as
suming burden which, from your ac-
count, appears to be quite needless. /
am very willing to superintend the house
hold arrangements, considering that
a duty which my position devolves upon
me-"
have listened to your arguments,
Mrs. Flint, and they are weak. They
do not weigh with me, madam"
1t is to be regretted" said his wife,
calmly.
" The first Mrs. Flint better under.
stood her duties as wife, he returned
excitedly. +" But it is quite useless to
discuss the point with you, madam. =
However, this day week Mrs. Burns
leaves us, and 1 expect you to qualify
yourself to assume her duties"