Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-09-28
LOCKING THE TRUNK.

as she arose from her knees, hot and
tired with packing, and rubbing the
small OF her back as she Strengthened
up, "l'm all through now, and wish
you would lock this trunk"
Certainly" replied Mr.. Spoopen
dyke, dropping his paper and slam.
ming down the lid. GAN you've got
to do is just fit the hasp in the lock
and tern the key SoW
But the key didn't quite turn, and
Mr. Spoopendyke bit the hasp with
the side of bis fist and tried it again,
Don't it work ?" asked Mrs. Spoo.
pcndyke, watching the proceeding
with considerable interest
"Itll work if you'll let it alone. said
Mr. Spoopendyke severely, and he
raised the lid, dropped it again, pound
ed the hasp and wrenchcd at the key
with all his strength. "Stand back
and give me room, can't you n he
growled, as he pressed down on the
lid and gave the key quick twists in a
vain effort to catch the lock unawares.
"Why don't you rest your weight
on it, and let me lock ity" asked Mrs
Spoopendyke, fluttering around her
husband and wondering if he was
thoroughly aware that his plug hat
was Immediately under the lid,
"Have you got time to keep away
from this thing and let me work it ?'
demanded Mr. Spoopendyke, contem-
plating his wife with Spartan ex-
preston of visage. "S'pose can do
anything with you sitting on my
elbow? II you'll 90 down in the eel.
lar for n minute I'll lock this trunk, I"
and Mr.. Spoopendyko banged oway at
the hasp and breathed hard But his
best efforts could only turn the key
half way.
"Oh amt ! glad you couldn't lock
it !" exclaimed Mrs. Spoopendykc,
anxious to stay her husbands growing
wrath. 81 forgot to put in your cane" !"
"Dod gast the cane" !" sputtered Mr..
Spoopendyke. "S'pose it's goin' TO
lock any easier with dod gasted old
walking cane sticking out at one end
Who says | can't lock it? What's the
reason l can't lock t?' and he stood
off and fetched the basp a tremendous
kick. "Anything else you've forgot.
ten to put in2" and he sprang on the
lid and tugged ut the key with his
head thrown back and his teeth set.
"Got a couple of mirrors You want in
here? Any china around the house
that wants ride in this trunk2 Want
to put in that dod gastcd 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.
Spoopendyke, climbing up without
waiting for response. "Now try it,"
Mr. Spoopendykc fumbled around
and worked at the basp and key, but
frutlessly.
"Can't you sit any harder than
that2" he yelled, as the key stuck
and would not turn either way. "Fraid
of breaking the measly thingl Press
down can't you p
Mrs. Spoopendyke squirmed around
and said, "Now dear" and then looked
over to see how he was getting on,
but still the lock was obdurate.
"Dod gast the measly trunkl"howled
Mr., Spoopendyke, firing the key out
the window and giving the trunk a
farewell kick. al you want 1t locked
you get blacksmith and a steam
derrick, /" and Mr.. Spoopendyke threw
himself into chair and pretended to
bury himself in his paper.
81 don't know how we're ever goin'
to get it open, said Mrs. Spoopendykc
after a long silence.
"Get what open2" growled her hus'
band.
"The trunk. Now | remember, it's
got spring lock, and when you took
the key out il locked itself | don't
suppose we can ever find the key p
"That's tl' yelled Mr.. Spoopendyke
"You know all about it now Why
didn't you tell me it was spring lock
Whot dye keep it to yourself for p
81 forgot" whimmered Mrs Spoo.
pendyke, "but IL will be all right J
can open it, d"
"Oh, you can open it snorted Mr..
Spoopendyke. "You'rc an opener
All you want is to be sharponed on
both sides TO be an oyster knife With
a dark lantern and a skull cap, you'd
make n full kit of burglars tools. oh,
yes, you'll open il Ifyou had loose
handle and one corner kicked off, you'd
get rich as screw drivorl' and Mr..
Spoopendyke tore out of the house TO
sec If be could borrow something TO
pry open that unfortunate trunk.
"That gives me time to pack the
valise," murmered Mrs. Spoopendyke,
'and as I've got another key to the
frank, wen do pretty well after all,
and the worthy lady began TO jam
night shirts and hair oil into the bags
together with sandwiches and tooth
brushes, wondering bctmes whether
Mr.. Spoopendyke's silk hat bad been
so badly smashed that it wouldn't do
to 20 fishing in on rainy days, even il
it didn't look well enough for church.
- Brooklyn Eagle,
"When | was a young man" says
thephilosopher Billings, u was always
in a hurry to hold the big end Of the