Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-02-21
FEELING THE BUMPS.

1t was the hardware trade which had
once engaged the earnest attention OF
Mr.. Andrew Griggs; and SO Greatly did
1t thrive under his auspices thai he wa,
enabled, while yet in his prime. to re.
tire INTO private life with u handsome
balance at his bankers, aud come de.
cent looking thousands in the Funds.
His retirement. however, was not par.
tlcuIarlv private after all; for, being OF
an unidlo spirit and commercially well
disposed toward his fellow-mrn. he en-
couraged his philanthropic Ideas, and
soon began to take an active part in
the local affairs of that Midland County
borough where he made aud spent his
money.
Another person who showed a great
interest in the same local affairs was a
Miss Judith Bootle, of no trade, but of
a put-you all-tO-rights occupation. sac
was generally regarded as strong.
minded woman, aud fairly justified her
reputation by actually uwnin" to thirty
five years of ago-0nly II slight cvicnl-
alton Of the true facts of the case; and,
as q member of the school board, rate.
payer, visitor to the workhousr,
patronesS to the Soupkitchen, share
holder in the gas and water works. and
lady vice-presdent of the General Re-
form Committee, she managed to keep
her name pretty prominently before
the public.
That Mr., Griggs and Miss Bootlo
should frequently come in contact was
but natural result of their respective
functions; and it became matter of
common observation that if there was
anybody who could soften the preiu-
dices or subduo tho opposition OF Miss
BoOtle, that booy was Mr.. Griggs.
One day it so happened that Miss
Bootle called upon MIR. Griggs at his
house, and in h $ official capacity of YES.
tryman. He politely asked her to sit
down, which she did, aud then, without
any beating about the bush, propOund-
ed an alternative scheme for an exten-
ton of the sewers, made inquiry rs to
the expense of some recent municipal
festivities, and complained seriously of
the manner in which the new road pay
ment was being done. Mr.. Griggs had
long been wishing to give the lady Il
little bit of quiet advice, and thinking
this a favorable opportunity, he waited
till she had finished talking, when he
thus began:
81 hope you will not take it unkindly |
of me, madam, Tor saying what | am |
going to; but are not these matters out.
side your proper sphereP"
81 really don't see that they are"
rejoined Miss BoOtle decidedly. "A5 |
nobody else will take them up, [ sup.
pose must"
Hardly so, | think" answered he.
highly conscious that he was treading
upon delicate ground. Now, in such
things as attending to the wants of the
poor and the education of children,
your assistance is most appropriate,
and extremely serviceable."
"Thanks much!' said she.
"But when it comes to mixing Your
self up with municipal questions which
have always been considered the pc
culiar province of mon---"
"Ah, that's just how we poor women
are always being crushc.!" interjeclcd
Miss Bootle.
Nobody wishes to crush you,
hope" said tho gentleman gallanlly,
land what is more, I'm sure they
il they would
The lady replied to this compliment
by smile and a bend of the head,
which seemed to admit that the express
sion she had used was perhaps little
Mr.. Griggs proceeded in modifying
tone, "But it appears to me, my dear
a great mistake for any lady
who is favorably known for her public
spirit to overdo it.. Look, for instance,
ut my good friend, Mrs. Crunch. What
public work she has done in
this town for years past! Yet she never
dreams OF interfering with with YES
try matters, for instance"
"You must recollect, Mr.. Griggs, that
she has had the advantage of a hus-
band"
can advantage, l presume which
Miss Bootle might easily have enjoyed
herself, had she chosen"
excuse me, Mr.. Griggs, but is not
-ahem!--is not this matter rather out.
side your proper sphere?" And having
oropounded this question, Miss Bottle S
ield up her head triumphantly, evident- !
y considering that she had scored one. {
But Mr.. Griggs was equal 10 the occas- {
on. Perhaps | am specially interest q
I'd party" said he, with an arch look. /
"Well, whether you are or not, / 9
ion't mind telling you that the
light sort OF husbands aren't so plenti.
ul that they can be picked up any I
lay"
'It won't do to bo too particular, y
vas the rather bold reply. q
"Many thanks for the advice" said '
he lady in mock scornful tone, i