The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-03-03
our TROUBLES.

Jack an | had been married Il wear
before We went to housekeeping People
say that the first year of married lie is
the most trying. All I can say is that
we did no. find it 50, We never had a
word of serious difference so long as we
boarded, but almost rs soon as We were
settled in orr tiny, pretty house, our
troubles began.
Jack and | have never been quite able
to decide when our unpleasantness COM
mcaced. Heputs the date of it in June.
when Lettice Green went to Europc.
and left me her canalies rs parting gift
two of the lovelieSt little yellow and
green dniIings that over were seen. That
isqlite absurd, though. The real trouble
began month later, when he himself
brought home the great, clumsy, blum
dering Newfoundland pup, which was
the pest of the house for many Il long
day.
1t wasn't so bad at first. Jack only
laughed when hc saw the canaries. and
said: 'Why, Nadge, little woman. You'll
have your hands full now, if You never
did before"
Nonscnse!' [ said Its nothing to
take care of a pair of birds" But Jack
only laughed
Such darlings as those birds were [
can't say that they ever learned to know
me-not really, you know. They hut-
tered Just as much and We're Just as hard
to catch the last day that let them ont
Of their cage as they were the first.
That was one of the things that Jack OBJ
jected to-mv letting them out of their
/ =
the press, mean-and the back parlor,
which was also his study, was the only
place where | could keep the birds.
" Really, Madge,' said Jack one day,
"G wish You could find some other
place to keep those birds, or else I wish
You would not let them out of their cage.
Their favOlite promenade is my desk,
and l never can find a paper that [ want
after they have been roofing about
there
but, Jack" l said, "they must have
their morning fly, poor little dears, and
l have always let them have it while YOU
are taking your constitutional, so that
they need not disturb YOU. If YOU
would rather have me let them out while
you're at home, though"
~.
bad enough to see the results. without
having them Hopping down bodily upon
my head. Never mind. I'll be careful
to leave my inkstand uncovered, and
they'll be drinking the ink some dav,
and that will be the end of them"
Jack, you are very unkind," said: {:
but Jack only laughed, and went ont of
the room, | was always careful to see
that the inkstand was covered after that
though.
1t was soon after that that he brought
home his dog. | never shall forget that
day. He knows that never could bear
dogs. | am afraid of them, horribly
afraid, and never thought he would be
so cruel as to bring one of the great
blundering things home to scare me out
Of my poor little wits,
Here, Madge," he said, as he came
in, leading the thing "As You are so
fond OF pets, l have brought YOU one
worth having"
Then the thing rushed at me, with its
great red mouth wide open, and its white
teeth shining, and its eyes glaring, and
before l knew it, the two big hairy paws
were on my shoulders, and the frightful
face close against mine.
"Jackp | screamed" oh, Jack !
take him off, on L shall die"
Jack laughed, and caught the creature
by his collar and pulled him away.
"Why, bless your heart, Madge!" he
sa1d " the dog won't hurt you. He is