The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-10-13
MIR. SPooPENDYKE.
He shows Mrs, y. How 20 Lock n Refractory
Trunk.

my dear" said Mrs. Spoopendyke, as she rose
from her knees, hot and tired from packing and
rubbing the small of her back as she straight
ened MP, I'm all through, now, and wish you
would lock this trunk"
"Certainly," replied Mr.. SpOopendyke drop
ping his paper aud slamming down the lid. "All
you've got TO do is, just fit the hasp in the lock,
and turn the key. So"
But the key didn't quite turn, and Mr. Spoop-
endyke hit the hasp with the side of his fist, and
tried It again.
''Don't it work :" asked Mrs. Spoopendyke,
watching the proceeding with considerable in
terrst.
"lt'Il work If you'll let it alone" said Mr..
SpOopendyke, severely, and he raised the lid,
dropped it again. pounded the hasp, and
wrenched at the key with all his strength.
''Stand back and give me room, can't you p he
growled, as he pressed down the cover, and
gave the key quick twist, in n vain effort to
catch the lock unawares.
"Why don't you rest your weight on it, and
let me lock itF asked Mrs. SpOOpendyke, fut-
tering around her husband, and wondering il he
was thoroughly aware that his plug hat was i'm
mediateiy under the lid.
"Haye yOu got time TO keep away from the
thing, and let me work it "a demanded Mr..
Spoopendyke, contemplating his wife with a
Spartan expression of visage. dispose can do
anything with You sitting on my elbow' II
you'll 20 down cellar for a minute, I'll lock this
trunk y and Mr.. Spoopendyke banged away at
the hasp, and breathed hard. But bis best eff
forts could only turn the key half way.
"0h! amt glad you couldn't lock itw ex-
claimed Mrs. SpoOpeudyke, anxious to stay her
husbands growing wrath. 81 forgot to put in
your walking cane"
nDOd- CAST the canew sputtered Mr. Spoopen-
dyke. oppose it's going to lock any easier with
dOd-gasted walking-cane sticking out al one
endf Who says l can't lock It'll What's the
reason l can't lock it ?" and he stood off and
fetched the hasp n tremendous kick. "Any-
thing else you've forgotten to put in ~ and he
sprang on the lid, and tugged at the key with
his head thrown back and teeth set i'm. SCOT a
couple of mirrors yOu want in heref ANY china
around the house that wants a ride in this
trunki Want to put in that dOd- gasted ass on
the top floor who tries to play the fiddle 2" and
he Topped off on to the floor, and banged at the
hasp again.
''Let me sit on it," suggested Mrs. Spoopen-
dyke. climbing up, without waiting for a re-
Spouse. snow, try it,,
Mr.. Spoopendyke fumbled around and worked
at the hasp and key, but fruitlessly.
Cant you sit any harder than that" he
yelled, as the key stuck and wouldn't turn either
way. "'Fraid of breaking the measy thing
Press down, can't yet"
''Mrs. Spoopendyke squirmed around and said,
"NOw, my DEAR" and then looked over to see
how he getting on, but still the lock was
obdurate.
''Dod-gast the measley trunk ~ howled Mr.
Spoopendyke, firing the key out of the window,
and giving the trunk a farewell kick. ''If you
want it locked, you get blacksmith and
steam DERRICK" and Mr.. SpOopendyke threw
himself into chair, and pretended to bury him
self in his paper.
Il don't know how we're ever going to get it
OPEN" said Mrs. SpoOpendyke, after a long 81
lence.
'1Get what open - growled her husband.
"Thc trunk. Now i remember, it's got n
spring lock, and when you took the key out, it
locked itself. don't suppose We can ever find