Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-25

herself back and forth to witness the effect
of her words, "when they git TO talkin';
go you can't blame me if things don't go
easy for you, I'm sure p
s. You tell folks? repeated Betty vsgue-
L., and standing quite still. What?
don't understand,
''Why, that the blame is all his'n, cried
the old maid, exasperated at her strange
mood and her dullness. 81 say, says |,
why there couldn't be no one live with
him, let alone that pretty wife he's got.
That's what say, Betty. And then l tell
EN- whas q queer man he is, how cross,
an
| things of my husband?" cried Betty
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST hight,
and towering so over the old woman in the
chair that she jumped in confusion at the
storm she had raised, and stared blindly
| into the blazing eyes and face rosy with
righteous indignation-her only thought
was how to get away from the storm
she had raised but could not stop.
| But she was forced to stay, for Betty
stood just in front OF the chair and
blocked up the way, SO she skunk back
| into the smallest corner of it and took il
| as best che could. 81 My husband" cried
Betty, dwelling with pride on the pronoun
at least If they were to part, she would
say 1t over lovingly as much as she could
till the last moment; and then, when the
time did come, why, people should not
know that it was Johns fault" the best.
the kindest, the noblest husband that was
ever given to woman. I've made him
moro trouble than you can guess my hot
temper has vexed him-Pve been cross,
and impatient and"
Hold - cried voice "you re talking
against my wife ~ and in q moment big
John Peabody rushed through the door,
grasped the little woman in his arms and
folded her to his heart, right before old
maid and ALL
"Oh," said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight and setting her spectacles more
firmly.
"And now that you've learned all that
you can, said John, turning around to her,
still holding Betty, "why-you may go
out"
The chair was vacant. A dissolviug
view through the door was all that was to
be seen of the gossip, who started mp the
road hurriedly, leaving peace behind.
BETTY" said john, some half hour
afterward, "what was the sigh for7 /
don't care now, but did think dear, and
it cut me to the heart, how you might have
married richer. l longed to put ten times
ten into your hand, Betty, and it CALLED
me because l couldn't"
Betty smiled and twisted away from his
grasp. Running into the bedroom she
presently returned, still smiling, with g
bundle rolled up in clean towel. This
she put on her husbands knee, who stared
at her wonderingly.
81 didn't mean," she said, unpinning
the bundle, "to get it out now. but shall
have to. Why, John, day after tomorrow
is your birthday !"
$50 it is !' said John. "Gracious has
it come around SO soon!"
And you, dear boy" said Betty, shak-
ing out before his eyes pretty brown af-
fair. all edged with elk of the bluest
shade, that presently assumed the proper
tions of a dressing g-gown I; " this is to be
your present. But you must be dreadfully
surprised, John, when you get it, for oh !
| didn't want you to know it u
John made an answer he thought best.
When he spoke again he said, perplexed,
while small pucker of bewilderment set
| tied between his eyes
But don't see, Betty" and then she
broke into merry laugh, that got 30 mixed
up with the dimples and the dancing brown
eyes that for a moment she could not fin
ish. "Oh, John, was worrying go over
these buttons They weren't good, but
they were the best / could do then. And
I'd only bought 'em yesterday. Two
whole dozen. And when you put that $40
bill in my hand, ] didn't hardly know it,
but suppose l did give one little bit of
sigh, for | was so provoked that | had not
waited buying them until to-day"
John caught up the little woman,
dressing gown and all. l don't think
they have ever quarreled .ince-at least
have never heard of it.