Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-11-17
Written for the Graphic. an e
T "a LOVE or A DRESS. .
BY BENJAMIN BkoADAxE.

tering my study one morning.
well don't bother me now am
busy" l snapped with as much venom
as small man usually can on such
occasions. But Mrs. Broadaxe is a
good.natured woman when she has a
point to carry. don't believe / could
make her mad wien she wants twen-
ty-five cent shawl pin, if l was to say
her father was hod.carrier and her
mother wash.woman. It's only when
her wants are all supplied that she be-
comes cross.
care you very busy9" she asked.
Eyes l am very busy !" responded,
with as much cyclone and iceberg IN
my tone as l was capable of mastering
to my immediate command.
Mrs. B. smiled and drew a char up
by the side ofmy desk.
l laid my pen down and gazed help
lessly out of the window. A man IS
never more helpless, than when in the
power of a woman who smiles when he
scolds. If you can get them to scold
back you are safe but Mrs. B. is too
sharp for that.
Mrs. B. looked me in the face and
her smile became little silvery peal of
laughter as she observed the copy of
"Helen's Babies" that l was trying to
hide under some newspapers.
"My dear" said she smiling as bright
as a summer morning, II am your
darling wife"
"Yes," said 1 desperately, "and
1 thank Heaven you are the only wife
l have"
"Oh now dear, you know you wish
you had a half a dozen just like me-"
ri swear l don't. One is enough"
"Well am gladyou do not DEAR" she
said good humoredly. because you
can bestow all your Alterations on
me-"
"And money too" l interrupted
her to say.
"Well now dear, who said anything
about money!" and she drew her chair
nearer to me and taking both my hands
looked up in my face with such sweet
impudence that felt inclined to order
herout of the room. But a man must
notbe beast, you know.
1t's money you want know you
want money!" l cried in a voice as
harsh and tragic as Cataline's response
to Cicero.
Again she laughed her gentle loving
little laugh.
81 gave you twenty-five dollars only
last, week Mrs. B., to lay in your WIN
ter supply of edging, knitting, perfora-
ted card board and that kind of nom
sense for the winter. / will not give
you.another cent swear 1 won't"
Oh, my DEAR"
"Don't dear me-" shouted, jumping
from my chair. II will not give you a
cent. A man who has no firmness
about him should be sent to the asylum.
l will have you to understand, Mrs. B.,
that I am as firm as rock. You can't
move me by your baby talk"
tried awful hard to get mad, but
she smiled and taking the lapel of my
coat, led me to my seat.
"You love me don't yous" she said.
Mrs. B. wants something when she
begins to talk of love.
"Of course 1 do, blast the luck.
Now you want money know you do"
"No don't"
"Then what do you wants
GA dress"
"a dress 9''
"Yes dear love of Dress"
groaned and sank back in my chair
wishing l was a Robinson Crusoe.
Mrs. B. smiled sweetly, pathetically and
resumed.
"You know, my dear, l never asked
you to break resolution. You only
resolved not to give me any more mon
ey until Christmas, but you did not say
you would not get me new Dress"
l opened my mouth to swear, l
would not buy her no dress either, but
she promptly checked the resolution
with kiss. l was helpless. No poor
little bird under the charm of som great
giant snake, ever fluttered more hope-
less than nv heart at that moment.
"You see my dear was at Mr.. Lamp
wick's store yesterday and he had such
a love of dress. Oh, l know you
will be so delighted with it. do not
care for it myself, but l just want to buy
it for you"
said l did not intend to don crino-