The semi-weekly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1879-1882, 1881-08-29

back as she Strengthened up, "I'm all
through now, and I wish you would
lock this truns"
Certainly" replied Mr., Spoopen-
dyke, dropping his paper and slam
ming down the lid "All you've got
to do is just fit the hasp in the lock
and tnrn the key. So"
But the key didn't quite turn, and
Mr.. Spoopendyke hit the hasp with
the side Of his fist and tried again.
"Don't it work 2" asked Mrs.
Spoopendyke, watching the proceed
ings with considerable interest.
9TH work if you'll let it Alone"
said Mr.. Spoopendyks severely, and
he raised the lid, dropped it again,
pounded the hasp and wrenched at
the key with all his strength.
"Staud back and give me room,
can't you ?" he growled, as he pressed
down on the cover and gave the key
quick twists in vain effort to catch
the lock unawares
"Why don'tyou rest your weight
on it and let me lock it 2" asked Mrs
Spoopendyke, auttering 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 snd let me work
it9' demanded Mr. Spoopendyke,
contemplating his wife with a Spar
tain expression of visage. dispose l
can do anything with you sitting on
my elbow? If you go down cellar
for a minute I'll lock this trunk"
and Mr.. Spoopendyke banged away
at the hasp and breathed hard But
his 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 CAST the cane y sputtered
Mr.. Spoopendyke. "Spose it's going
to lock any eaiser with a dod gasted
cane sticking out one end Who says
! can't lock it What's the reason /
can't lock It and be stood off and
fetched the hasp tremendous kick.
Anything else you've forgot to put
in I and he sprang on the lid and tug
ged at the key with his head thrown
back and bis teeth set. SCOT q
couple of mirrors that you want in
here? Any china around the house
that wants a ride in this trunk !?
Want to put in that dod gasted ass
on the top floor who tries to play the
fiddle 7" 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 q response. "Now try
IT,"
Mr.. Spcopendyke fumbled around
and worked at the hasp aud key, but
fruitlessly.
"Oan't ye cit any harder than
that?" he yelled, as the key stuck
and wouldn't turn either way. "Fraid
Of breaking the measly thingY Press
down, can't ye ?"
Mrs. Spoopendyke squirmed around
and said, "Now DEAR" then looked
over to see how he was getting on,
but still the lock was obdurate
"Dod CAST the measly trunk I"
howled Mr.. Spoopendyke, firing the
key out of the window and giving the
trunk farewell kick. "If you want
it locked you get blacksmith and q
steam Derrick" and Mr. Spoopep.
dyke threw himself into a chair and
pretended to bury himself in his pa.
PEI
II dent know how we're ever
going to get it OPEN" said Mrs.
Spoopendyke, after long silence
"Get what open ?" growled her
husband.
"The trunk. Now I remember,
it's got spring lock, and when you
took the key out 1t locked itself. /
don't suppose we can ever find the
key"
"That's ]" yelled Mr.. Spoopen-
dyke. "You know all about it now
Why didn't you tell me it was a
spring leek T? What did you keep l.
to yourself for p
II forgot" whimpered Mrs Spoop
eudyke, "but it will be all right.
can open it."
ooh, you can open it!' snorted
Mr. Spoopendyke "You're an open
erl All you want is to be sharpened
on both sides to be an oyster knife
With dark lantern and skull cap,
you'd make a full set of burglars
tools ! Oh, yes, you'll open it, If