Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-23
GaIes a1t0 Sketkts.
CoyquERHG A HUSBAND.

evening, II cannot, and will not, stand
it any longer and the young wife
dropped into a chair as though the last
remaining portion of her strength had
LETT her.
..What was the subject of the lecture,
nv dear p inquired Mr.. Dykes with a
cheerful smile, as though he did not re-
gard the situation as at all desperate.
You know very we'll that uncle Phil
has but one subject"
vAnd that is extravaganza, or the re-
verse, economy" added Mr.. Dykes.
..Of course that was tie subject of the
lecture: and you always take his side OF
the question. Uncle Phil has ten times as
much influence with you as I have. What
ever he says is right. and whatever / say
is wrong" Seiorted Mrs. Dykes, rather
warmly.
III supper is ready. think we
had better attend to that next; and We
shall have the whole evening to discuss
uncle Pills lecture. The subject will
keep for a while"
But uncle Phil will be here to take
part in the discussion; and that is just
what don't want. He overshadows me
entirely when he says anything. and |
might as well hold my tongue as speak"
pouted the wife.
Uncle Phil will not be here, Marian.
1t is half-past six, and he has to 60 to
church meeting at seven.
Very we'll. but | am going to have
something done this time. ! won't have
uncle Phil here any longer. If he is to
stay in this house | shall not ~
Mrs. Dykes was very young, and her
angry pOut. as she sailed out of the room
made her look decidedly pretty; at least
so thought he- husband. But before she
was fairly out, the door opened and uncle
Phil came in. The door was ajar and he
must have been in the hall during some
of the lady's severe remarks about him.
But he looked as placid as though earth
had no SORROWS for him. He was a man
OF so, though his hair and beard were
white enough for 20.
He did not seem like man who could
be very disagreeable if he tried. He had
a deaconish look about his face, that OF a
serious though not a austere man. Ger
tainly no one would have taken him for a
shipmaster, but he had spent most of his
life at sea or in foreign parts. He used to
read the Bible to his crew every Sunday,
and never allowed any swearing or other
bad language in his presence on board the
ship. Though he was psalm-singing
skipper, no captain was ever more pOpu-
lar with his men than Captain Dykes.
Uncle Phil had been married in early
lie, but his wife died while he was absent
on "a long voyage. He had recently given
up the sea, and returned to his native
town, now an important place of ten thous-
and inhabitants. He found himself a
stranger there. but at his own request
his nephew had taken him as bOarder
The gossips were not little bothered
to determine whether the retired shipmas-
was rich or poor. He engaged in every
church and benevolent enterprise. and
contributed moderately of his means.
Charles Dykes had opened store 10
TIipplelOn a year before, and everybody
thong he was dong well. Mrs. Dykes
thought so. though Charles himself in
sisted that he was not making money rap
idly; he could not tell how much until
he balanced his books and took account of
stock. In the main he was prudent and
careful young man, or at least was dis
posed to be so.
Uncle Phil made a hasty supper, and
then went to his meeting. He acted Just
little strangely for him. though the
smile had not deserted his face He said
less than usual. and seemed to be thinking
very earnestly about something.
do you suppose he heard what said,
Charles ?" asked Mrs. Dyk es, when uncle
Phil had gone.
Il think not but you ought not to say
anything behind his back that you would
not say before his face" replied the hus.
band. Uncle Phil is good man ,one OF
the salt of the earth"
.'He is altogether too salt for me. If
should put too much salt in the doughnuts.
you would not like them. Uncle Phil is
salter than Lots wife,"
IL am sorry you don't like him, Marian .
IL can't like man who is continually
tripping me up. and lecturing ME upon
economy. You ought to know better
than he does what you can Afford
Il am sure that nothing but his interest
in us prompts him to say anything. If one
means we'll almost anything can be ex-
cused.'
When said that wished you would
keep horse so could ride out every day
or two. he read rue lecture half an hour
in length. Whether he heard me or not.
said just what meant. You must get
him out of the house in some way Charles
LAKE. YOUR CieTk 10 UOdTu, anu tell Your
uncle You must have the room"
''lf tell him to go. shall tell the rea-
son why do So"
IL am willing to bear all the blame.
don't want any one in the house to come
between me and my husband" said the
lady with good deal of spirit.
Uncle Phil does not come between you
and me, Marian. That is absurd.''
81 have asked you. and even begged
YOU dozen times. to keep horse. Uncle
Phil takes sides with You against me-"
''But he never said horse to me in his
life. can't afford to keep horse.
"Yes. you can. Charles. They say that
you are doing more business than link
ham. and he keeps two horses; and his
wife looks patronizingIy down upon me
from her carryall when she meets me in
the street." added Mrs. Dykes, with con-
siderable bitterness in her tone.
II know nothing about Tinkham's bust
ness, and do know something about nv
own." replied Mr.. Dykes.
Before the supper things were removed.
Charles Dykes had promised to buy a
horse and buggy. 1t appeared to be the
only way in which he could induce his