Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-09-01
Spoopendyke.
LOCKING THE TRUNK.

"My dear" said Mrs. Spoopendyke, as
she arose from her knees, hot and tired with
packing. and rubbing the snail Of her back
as she Strengthened up, "l'm all through
now, and | wish YOU would lock this trunk
Certainly" replied Mr. Spoopendyke,
dropping has paper and slamming down the
lid "All you've got To do is just to fit the
hasp in the lock and turn the key. SO"
Hut the KEY didn't quite turn; and Mr..
Spoopendyke hit the hasp with the side of
his fist and tried it again.
"Dont it work ?" asked Mrs. Spoopen-
dyke, watching the proceeding with consid-
cradle interest.
"ItIl work if you 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 Z"
he growled he pressed down ON the cover
and gave the key quick twists IN VAN ell
fort to catch the lock unaa ares.
why don't you rest your weight on It
and let me lock 2" asked Mrs. Spoopen-
dyke, Autterng around her husband and
wondering II 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 1t ? de
manded Mr.. Spoop-ndyke. contemplating
his wife with a Spartan expression OF VS.
sgv "Spose | can do anything with YOU
sitting on my elbow ? II you'll 20 down
cellar for a minute III lock this trunk" and
Mr. Spoopendyke banged away at tn. hasp
and hreathed hard. But his best efforts
could only turn the key half way.
"Oh amt glad you couldn't lock 1t !"
exclaimed Mrs. Spoopendyke, anxious to
stay her husbands growing wrath. Il for
got TO put IN Your walking cane.
bod gast the cane :" sputtered Mr.
Spoopendyke. "Spo,e its gong to lock
any easirr with dod gasted walking cane
sticking out at one end Who says can't
lock it, What's the reason | can't lock il ?"
And he stood off and fetched the hasp a
tremendous kick. Anything else you've
forgotten to put in ?" and he sprang on the
lid and tugged at the key with his head
thrown back aud his teeth set Got
couple OF mirror. YOU want in here Any
china round the house that wants to ride IN
this trunk Want to put IN that dod
gasted a.. on the top floor who tries to play
the fiddle ?" and he Topped of on the floor
and banged at the hasp again.
isft Alt va va ~ 49,
endyke, climbing up without waiting for
response Nov try IT,
Mr. Spoopendyke fumbled around and
worked at the ha,p and KEY. but fruitlessly
Can't We sit any harder than that ?" he
ye!lrd A. the KEY stuck and wouldn't turn
either way "Frald OF breaking the measl,
thing? Press down. can't We ?"
Mrs. Spoopend,ke squlrmed around and
said, nov dear" and then looked over To
see how he vas getting on, but still the lock
was obduratr.
"nod ga,t the measly trunk :" hovled
Mr. Spoopendyke. firing the key out the
window and giving the trunk farewell
kick. III YOU want it locked YOU get a
black smith and steam derrick, and Mr..
Spoopendyke threw himself into a chair
and pretended to bury himself IN his paper.
II don't know how we're ever gong TO
get it open, said Mrs. SpoopendNke after a
long silence.
Get what OPEN" growled her husband.
The trunk. Now remember, IT. got a
spring lock and when YOU took the key out
il locked itself. don't suppose ~e can ever
find the key"
That's it, yelled Mr.. Spoopendyke.
You know all about it nov Why didn't
you tell me il was spring lock What
dye keep it to Yourself for :,
81 forgot" ~hmpered Mrs. Spoopendyke,
but il will be all right. can open II"
"Oh.sou can open it e. snorted Mr. SPoop-
endyke "lou're an opener All YOU want Is
10 be sharpened on both sides TO be an oys
Ter knife With dark lantern and a skull
cap you'd make full set of burglar, tools :
On. YES, you'll open it If YOU had loose
handle and one corner kicked off, you'd get
rich as a screw driver" and Mr.. Spoopen-
dyke tore out Of the house to SEE II he could
borrow something 10 pry open the untortun-
nate trunk.
That gives me time To pack the >alI-e,
murmured Mrs. Spoopendy ke, land as I've
got another key TO the trunk, we'll do pretty
veil after ALL" and the worthy lady began TO
Jam nightshirts and hair oil into the bags,
together with sandwiches and tooth brushes,
wondering betimes whether Mr.. Spoopen-
dykes silk hat had been 20 badly smashed
that il wouldn't do to 20 fishing in on rainy
days, even If it didn't look we'll enough for
church.