Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-02-17
THE DAIRY RECORD-UNI0N.
TOMS HUSBAND.
Lconcludea from Last Week ]

6A&S PCoR1C VIII
departure at any rate. Women think they
can do everything better than men in these
days, but I'm the first man, apparently,
who has wished he were woman"
"Of course people will laugh" said
Mary. "but they will say that it's just
like me. and think am fortunate TO have
married a man who will let me do as l
choose. I don't see why it isn't sensible
you viii be living exactly as you were be.
fore Won married, as to home affsirs and
since it was good thing for you to know
something about housekeeping then, can't
imagine Why you shouldn't 60 on with It
now, since it makes me miserable, and
am wasting q fine business talent while l
do it. What do We care for peoples talk
ing about it 2
"Is seems to me that it is something
ike women's srnoking-it isn't wicked, but
it isn's the custom of the country. And L
done like the idea of you going among
business men. OF course l should be above
going with you, and having people think
must be an idiot they would say that you
married manufacturing interest, and
was thrown in. l can foresee that my
pride is going to be humbled to the dust IN
every way" Tom declared in mourntul
tones, and began to shake with laughter.
"It is one of your lovely castles IN the
air. dear Polly, but an old brick mill needs
a better foundation than the clouds. NO,
I'll looked around and get an honest man
with few select brains for agent. L sup
pose it's the best thing we can do, for the
machinery ought not to lie still any longer
but mean to sell the factory as soon as l
can. l devoutly wish it would take fire,
for the insurance would be the best prlce
we are likely to get. That is famous
letter from Alice l am afraid that the
Captain has been growing over his pay. or
they have been giving too many little DIM
ners on board ship. If we were rid OF the
mill, you and might go out there this win
ter. 1t would be capital fun. !"
Mary smiled again in an absent-minded
wav. Tom had an uneasy feeling that he
had not heard the end OF it yet, but moth
inc more was said for day or two. When
Mrs, Tom Wilson announced, with no ap-
parent thought of being contradicted, that
she had entirely made up her mind, and
she meant to see those men who had been
overseers OF the different departments, who
still lived in the village, and have the mill
put in order at once, Tom looked disturbed,
but made no opposition and sooa after
breakfast his wife formally presented him
with handful of keys, and told him there
was meat enough in the house for dinner
and presently he heard the wheels of her
little phaeton rafting off down the road.
I should be untruthful if | tried to per-
suade any one that he was not provoked
he thought she would at least have waited
for his formal permission, and at first he
meant to take another horse, and chase
her and bring her back in disgrace, and put
a stop to the whole thing. But something
assured him that she knsw what she was
about. and he determined TO let her have
her own way. If she failed, it might do
no harm, and this was the only ungallant
thought he gavs her. He was sure that
she would do nothing unladylike, or be
unmindful of his dignity and he believed
it would be looked upon as one OF her odd,
independent freaks, which had alwas won
respect in the end, however much they had
been laughed at in the beginning. Su-
ean." said he, as that estimable person
went by the door with the dust-pan, "You
NAV tell Catherine to come to me for orders
about the house, and you may do so your
self am going to take charge again, as |
did before was married. 1t is no trouble
to me, and Mrs. Wilson dislikes it. Be.
sides, she is going into business, and will
have great deal else to think of. "
eyes, sir very well, sir, said Susan,
who was suddenly moved to ask so many
questions that she was utterly silent. But
her master looked very happy there was
evidently no disapproval of his wife /; and
she went up the stairs and began to sweep
them down, knocking the dust brush about
excitedly, as if she were trying to kill a
descending colony of insects.
Tom went out to the stable and mounted
his horse which had been waiting for him
to take his customary after. breakfast ride
to the postoffice, and he galloped down the
road in quest of the phaeten. He saw
Mary talking with Jack Towne, who had
been an overseer and a valued workman of
his fathers. He was looking much sur
prised and pleased.
9" wasn't caring go much about getting
work myself" he explained; I've got
what will carry me and my wife through
but it'll be better for the young folks about
here to work near home. My nephews are
wanting something TO do !; they were going
to Lynn next week. 1 don't say but
should like to be to work in the old place
again. I've sort of missed it since we shut
down"
"I'm sorry was so long in overtaking
you," said Tom, politely, to his wife.
''Well, Jack, did Mrs. Wilson tell you
she's going to start the mill? You must
give her all the help you can"
"D3ed l will, said Mr.. Towne, gal
lantly, without bit of astonishment.
{" | don't know much about the business
vet, said Mrs. Wilson, who had been a
little overcome at Jack Townes lingo Of
the different rooms and machinery, and
who felt an overpowering sense of having
a great deal before him in the next few
weeks. "By the time the mill is ready 1
will be ready, too" she said, taking heart
a little and Tom, who was quick to un.
derstand her mood, could not help laugh
ing as he rode alongside We want a
new barrel OF -four, Tom, DEAR" she said,
by way of punishment for his untimely
mlrth.
Ii she lost courage in the long delay, or
was disheartened at the steady call for
funds, she made no sign and after while
the mill started up, and her csres were
lightened, SO that she told Tom that before
next pay day she would like to 90 to Bos.
ton for few DAYS, and go to the theater
and have frolic and rest She really
looked pale and thin, and she said she
never worked so hard in all her life; but
nobody knew how happy she was, and she
was so glad she had married Tom, for some
men would have laughed at it.
" laughed at it. said Tom, msekly.
"All is, if don't cry by and by, because
I avn a beggar, shall be lucky" But Mary
looked fearlesslY serene, and said that
there was no danger at present.
1t would have been ridiculous to expect a
dividend the first year. though the Mega.
sahi people were pscified with difficulty.
All the business letters came to Toms ad-
dress, and everybody who was not di.
reetly concerned thought that he was the
motive power Of the re-awakened enter
prise. Sometimes business people came to
the mill and were amazed at having to
confer with Mrs. Wilson, but they soon had
to respect her talents and her success. she
was hslpsd by the old clerk who had been
L h. > 5 L.