Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-08-16
sa.ehing .he proceeding. wisa .considerable

watching the proceedings with considerable
interest.
"It'n work. if YOU let it alone, " said Mr..
Spoopendvke 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 he pressed down on the cover
and gave the key quick twists in q vain ct-
fort to catch the lock unawares.
ssWhy don't YOU rest your weight ON Il and
let me lock it:" asked Mrs. Spoopendykc,
il he was thoroughly aware that his plug hat
was Immediately under the lid.
.'Have you got the time to keep away from
this thing and let me work it?'' demanded Mr..
Spoopendyke, contemplating his wife with =
Spartan expression of visage. .'Sp,se can
do nything with you sitting on my elbow
If You'll 90 down cellar for minute I'll lock
this trunk aud Mr.. Spoopendyke banged
away at the hasp and breathed hard. But hts
best efforts could only turn the key half way.
.Oh! amt glad you couldn't lock i'll"
exclaimed Mrs. Spoopendyke, anxious to stay
her husbands growing wrath. II forgot to
put in your walking cane"
"Dod gast the cane !" sputtered Mr.. Spoop-
endyke. '.Spose it's going to lock any easier.
with dod gasted walking cane sticking out
at one endy Who says | can't lock il?
What's the reason can't lock it?' And he
stood off and fetched the hasp a tremendous
kick "Anything else you've forgotten to
put IMP" AMI he sprung on the lid and
tugged at the key with his head thrown hack
and his teeth set. 'Got a couple of mirrors
YOU want in here? ANY china round the
house that wants to ride in this trunk? Want
to put in that dod gasted ass on the top floor
who tries to play the fiddler" and he Topped
of on the floor and banged at the hasp again.
''Let me sit on it," suggested Mrs. Spoop-
endyke, climbing up without waiting for
response. snow try it,
Mr. Spoopendyke fumbled around and
worked at the hasp and key, but fruitlessly.
"Can't We sit any harder than that?" he
yelled as the key stuck and wouldn't turn
either way. ''Fraid of breaking the measly
thing? Press down, cant yep
Mrs. Spoopendyke squirmed around and
said "now, DEAR" and then looked over to
see how he was getting on, but still the lock
was abdurate.
''Dod CAST the measly trunk I" howled Mr..
Spoopendyke, firing the kew out of the win
dow and giving the trunk farewell kick.
''If you want it locked you get blacksmith
and steam DERRICK" and Mr.. Spoopendyke
threw himself into a chair and pretended to
bury himself in his paper.
uoH kHoW uOW We Tt cNtT EOIIx 10 Yet
it open," said Mrs. Spoopenpyke, after long
silence.
''Get what open?" growled her husband.
1.-The trunk. Now l 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
''That's it," yelled Mr.. Spoopendyke.
"You know all about it now! Why didn't
yon tell me it was spring lockp What dye
keep il to vonrself for?"
II forgot" whimpered Mrs. Spoopendyke,
''but it will be all right. / 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 to be an oys-
ter knife. With dark lantern and skull
cap you'd make a full set of burglars tools
Oh. yes, you'll open il! If you had loose
handle and one corner kicked off, you'd yet
rich as a screw driver!'' and Mr.. Spoepen-
dyke tore out of the house 10 see if he could
borrow something to pry open the unfortu-
nate trunk.
"That gives me time to pack the valise,"
murmured Mrs. Spoopendyke, 'and as I've
got another key to the trunk. well do pretty
well after all" and the worthy lady began to
jam nightshirts and hair oil into the bags. to-
gether with sandwiches and tooth brushes,
wondering betimes whether Mr.. Spoopen-
dykes silk hat had been so badly smashed
that it wouldn't do to go fishing in on rainy
days, even if it didn't look well enough for
church