The Portland daily press., 1881-08-12
TIE PRESS.
Spoopendyks.
Locking the Trunk.

my dear" said Mrs. Spoopendyke. as she
arose from her knees, hot and tired with pack
ing and rubbing the small of her back as she
Strengthened up, ''I'm all through now, and
wish you would lock thistrunk."
Certainly" replied Mr.. Spoopendyke, drop
ping his paper and slamming down the lid.
can you've got to do is Just fit the hasp in the
lock and turn the key. Sop ..
But the key didn't quite turn, and Mr. Spoop-
sndyke hit the hasp with the side of his fist
and tried it again.
Don't 1t work." asked Mrs. Spoopendyke,
watching the proceeding with considerable in
terest. ....--e s .--.-...-,
"It'll work if you let it alone" said Mr..
epoopendyke 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'' he
growled. as ne pressed down ON the cover and
gave the key quick twists in vain effort to
catch the lock unawares.
"Why don't you rest your weight on it and
let me lock il?" asked Mrs. Spoopendyke, flut-.
tsring around her husband and wondering if he
was thoroughly aware that his plug hat was
immediately under the lid.
Have you got the time to keep away from
this thing anu let me work it?" demanded Mr..
s. ooyendy Ike, contemplating his wife with
Spartan expression OF visage. 'Spose can do
ANY thing wuh you sitting on my elbow? Ii
you a 20 down cellar Tor a minute pIl lock this
trunk, and Mr.. Spoopendyke banged away at
the hssp ana brealhed hard. But his best ef-
forts could only Turn the hey half way.
"Oh! amt GLAD You couldn't lock it!'' ex-
10 tx,
her hasbanos growing WRATH II forgot 70
put IN your Wal ing cane" ~
''D'S CAST the camel" sputtered Mr.. Spoop
snds &c. SPse its going to lock any easier
vain d dod gasicd Making cane sticking out
81 one ESQ? Who says can't lock il? What's
the re-sah can't lock it?'' And he stood off
aud fetched The hasp Tremendous kick
Anything else you've forgotten TO put iu?'
AID ns sprang on the lid and tugged at the key
with his head thrown back and his teeth set.
Got couple of mirrors you want in here?
Any CHINA round the house that wants to ride
In tins trunk? Want to put in that dod xasted
as on the top floor who tries to play the i'd
die?" and he Topped off on the floor and
banged At the hasp a .ain
Let me sit on It," suggested Mrs. Spoopen-
dyke, Climbing up without waiting for re-
spouse. Now try it,
Mr.. Spoopendyke fumbled around and
uorked Vt the hasp and key, but fruitlesey
Can't ye sit any harder than that?'' he
yelled, as the key stuck and wouldn't turn
either way "Frsid OF breaking the measy
tLing7 Press down, can't yer,
Ars. Spoopendyke squirmed around and
said, "now DEAR and then looked over to sec
how be was getting on, but still the lock was
abdurate.
''Dsd CAST the measly trunk" howled Mr..
epoopendS Ike, firing the key out the window
and giving the trunk a farewell kick. elf
you want it locked you get black smith and
steam derrick" and MIR Spoopendyke threw
himself into Chair and pretended to bury
himself in his paper. 7.s szg~. s4s.=s.
II don't know how we're ever going to get it
open" said Mrs. Spoopendyke after long ST.
lence.
Get what open?" growled her husband.
The trunk. Now l remember, it's got
spring lock and when you took the key out it
locked itself. don't suppose we can ever
find the key" @aaz
That's III" yelled Mr.. Spoopendyke. "You
know all about it now! Why didn't you tell
me 1t was spring lock- What dye you
81 forgot" whimpered Mrs. Spoopendyke,
but it will be all right. L can open it.
oh, you can open it!' snorted Mr. Spoop-
endyke. You're an opener! All you want
Is to be sharpened on both sides 10 be an oyster
you'd make full set of burglars tools! Oh,
yes, you'll open i'll If you had loose handle
and one corner kicked off, you'd get rich as
screw driver" and Mr.. Spoopendyke tore out
OF the house to see if he could borrow some
thing to pry open the unfortunate trunk.
THAT gives me time to pack the valise,"
murmured Mrs. Spoopendyke, land as I've
20. another key 20 the trunk, we'll do pretty
well after all, +" and the worthy lady began to
jam nightshirts and hair oil into the bags, to-
sether with sandwiches and tooth brushes,
wondering betimes whether Mr., Spoopendyke's
silk hat had been SO badly smashed that it
wouldn't do TO 60 fishing in on rainy days,
even II it didn't look we'll enough for church,