The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-10
WMARY SMITH,


cheek to the other, as he stood en-
tranced before the bulletin board Of
the Stub Mountain Lyceum. "And
upon the Rights of WomenP" Well,
swan! Mis- Hobson, she'll be a-wantln'
to hear it, an | shouldn't wonder il
Jemimy Ann set up her dander, She d
90 into the bargain. Gals is always
racin' AFTER every new idee. And p'raps
it's good thing to stir us country folks
up-a rousin' good lecture once in a
while. Tickets twenty-five cents. Wal,
I'll think about it."
"a lecture?'' said DR.. Briggs. the
newly. fiedged M. D., who had just hung
out his glittering blue-and-gold sign;
''and respecting women's rightsP l
cannot say that / approve of the SUBJ
ject; but a new conner like myself must
show himself in public, and there are
so few opportunities in Stub Mountain.
Upon the whole, think that l will take
ticket"
"Women's rightsp" said old Mrs.
Mix, who was always tormenting the
Selectmen for the privilege of franchise
on election-day, and who went out to
gather her OWL hay in harvest time,
with mans boots and rather more
than mans strength. "T'm powerful
glad on It. The subject needs agitation
in place like this, where there's wus
than Egyptian darkness. I'll 60, if it
costs me whole weeks butter
money"
And thus, in various styles and from
various motives, the Stub Mountaineers
commented on and approved of the lee
ture which was to be delivered at the
lyceum on that Wednesday evening.
Squire Dodley stroked his long beard
as he checked his gray pony before the
the village store.
81 suppose my girls will insist on
going" said he; "but there are so few
things going ON at Stub Mountain that
it seems pity to deny them little re-
creation" a ..H1"
And the landlord of the Stub Mount
ain Hotel chuckled.
ut was an i'll wind that blew good
to nobody" he said, "and any popular
sensation was good for business"
This was on Tuesday. Upon the
Wednesday morning, a stout gentle
man, in chaise, drew up to the hotel
and strutted up to the bar, with very
rubicund face and little, fiery eyes.
Mary Smith lectures here to-night?"
said he. ... rse,
Il guess you're about right there,
Squire" said the landlord, feeling in
his pocket for the bundle of tickets
which the lyceum proprietor had au-
thorized him to sell. ga poplar SUBJ
jock, too. You can read all about it on
the bulletin-board out there, and
~ forbid itr' said the stout gentle
man, growing redder and more apo
plectic with every moment.
Land O Goshenr' said the land
lord.
"Sheis my wife," said the stranger.
My name is Smith-Zerubbabe Smith
and won't be disgraced by any o.
this public-lecturing businessr'
Yes, l know" said the landlord
D." but l don't b'lieve the law will up.
hold ye in it, Squire, arter the ticket;
are sold and
Hang the lawr' shouted Mr.. Zerub.
babel Smith, bringing his closed fist
down among the glasses with bang
g don't care two straws for the law
My wife is my wife, and won't have
her making a Merry-Andrew of hersel
here or anywhere else! When do yo,
expect herp"
THE room was engaged from lively,
O'clock faltered the Landlords .sbu
-
Very WE'LL" roared the red-facet
man, IN just 60 and stroll aroun,
the village, and you let me know whel
she arrives-d'ye hearP''
Mr.. Zerubbabel Smith had hardly be
taken himself to the shadow of the ole
elms on the village green, when an cid
erly woman of a starched appearance
came in, with striped carpet-bag OF
one arm and carrying a bingham um
brella in the other hand.
'' Is this the Stub Mountain Lyce
umP" said she, primly.
No, marm!'' said the landlord
g This 'ere's the tavern. The lvceun
amt open till eight o'clock. Want Il
buy tickets for the lecturer"
Certainly notp' said the elderly fe
male.
''P'raps you'd like to engage q room.
said the landlord, with a glance at tn
carpet-bag. tti
" Nothing of the sort!n said the lady
The fount of the landlords imagine
ton was hopelessly drained dry by thi
time. He said nothing more, but Stare
hard at the starched female
sc wish to see Miss Smith," said sh,
abruptly. ,o r4al y
"Ehp'' said the landlord.
The lecturer on-Women's Rights,
with a little grimance at the words,
if they had bitter taste. '
She amt arriv' yet" said the Ian,
lord.
''I do not intend to allow this on
rage on public taster' said the lady, v
hemently.
Marmw said the landlord.
90 l am Miss Smith mother!''
Be your gasped mine host.
And here set until she presen
herself" said Mrs. Smith, depositir
herself on the nearest chair and elias
ing both hands firmly over the umbrell
handle. iaaH .TlH Isl" aLr
The landlord looked feebly at he
and almost within the same second,
hurried short, overdressed lady, wi
curls, jewelry, bangles and scarf
shawl, while a shabby, black silk ski
trailed its hounces over the dusty foe
Landlord said she, stake dow
those posters at oncev' Ed }tII.