Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-06-27

down deep into his pants pockets, and
| he seemed more remote from Christian
resignation than v
"Great Scott" he beloved, ''have
we come to that? ,,Roomers and mealers
outs Has Methodism to answer for
this, too?"
The fact that Johns back was adorned
with a Japanese tidy, that affectionately
chung to him as he left the chair, didn't
add an element of seriousness to his
wrath; but Maria never wen smiled as
she rescued the feminine treasure and
restored it to its proper place.
"Confound that thing!' he muttered.
''You had better make a few more of
those perfectly lovely denominations and
spatter them over us when we go out to
our meals"
sit isn't worth while being put out
john"
"Put out? Who's put out?"
s'You know you are, John, and I often
tell you it is foolish to care so much for
trifes. You exhaust q good deal of
vitality in it, that might just as well be
applied to other purposes. You know
fretting wears ones nerves, and gives
one wrinkles"
John scanned her face with a curious
smile, and with o mock look of mega.
ton.
eff I were in a definition class, and
called on to tell what a woman is, l
should say "a cross between a saint and q
philosopher" he sighed.
20, John! l hope you're not sar-
casticw!
"Why, Maria! No, Twas never more
sincere in my life"
"Then you will learn, dear, won't
you? to wait until actual trouble comes
before you worry and get out of tenn
per-"
81 will try" meekly.
Before the evening was over the wo-
man won the odd trick and carried her
honors with considerable show of pleas.
ure.
After the gas was extinguished,
and the natural order of events would
have indicated the presence of the soft
winged sweet Maria heard John
attempt to smother a sigh.
''What is it, dear?" she whispered.
II have come to the conclusion, my
love, that l shall never have a perma-
nent address until some one puts up my
headstone."
A few days later the Skippings were
housed in the ''elegant new lodgings"
and another phase of experience was be-
gun.
"Isn't it perfectly charming, "chirped
Maria. $50 cozy and homelike," she
sighed, setting the dollar clock on the
deck-shelf of the dressing-case.
'You are too good for me, Maria.
You should have been a minister's wife"
said John, as he pulled a cloud of smoke
into the clean white curtains.
'Ithink it'sreaIly delightful here-the
water is just as hot all day; and you
know that's one thing we never did have
at the Beldings',' asserted Maria as she
turned the faucet on, just to- enjoy a
consciousness of the new-found luxury.
LIT must be dinner-time," John re-
marked. irrelevantly. Maria closed the
faucet with q jerk.
A moment later they were on the
street, trying to walk asst they were 60
ing downtown.
They encountered several "mealers''
coming out of the res door as they ap-
preached the house, and John remarked
how every one a wooden tooth
pick in the mouth, while they arushed
the crumbs from their clothing and adj
justed coats and wraps as they moved
along.
The Skippings found the dining-room
full as they attempted to entev; every
seat was occupied with .sregulars," who
paused to stare at the newcomers.
"Where shall we sit, pleasefs'' asked
Maria, timidly, Of the landlady, who
barred their further progress.
'Just take seats-up-st alrss IN the
parlor." sounded in Johns ears like the
ghost of 3 reprimand he had heard il
boyhood. ssWe're all full now, but III
make a place for you as soo IS some q
these people get through"
Seated in sober silence in the dam
parlor upstairs, Maria found time TX
subdue the color in her cheeks, an1
John drew consolation from the din
outline of ''Moses Shifting the Rock
which hung opposite him on tho wall
An interval Of twenty minutes elapsed
moved into the past, John thought
Everything seemed to be moving, ex
cept those eaters down stairs.
Then the landlady appeared an,
dropped YEARLY into = chair, facing
Maria.
.'Who are you, anyhow" she asked
with a half used-up laugh. "When di
you engage meals hereP"
"Why, don't youremember? Mr.. an
Mrs. Skipping" ventured Maria. "W
that is, saw you several days age
and ~
"Oh, yes, 1 recollect. You see, II
full now and"
, II should think some of your-yor
boarders would be by this time, too,
, John interrupted her.
: .Eh?" The tone implied that John
. empty-stomach joke was lost.
"Can't you make o for us now?
, Maria pleaded. She was afraid of Johl
: when he got started" and she fe
! guilty for getting him into this predic
: ment. 1t would be just like him to $50
something"
o "I'n see if l can" and the happypa
y filed Indian fashion toward the banqu
5 chamber. Maria disappeared from sigh
e leaving John in d%ark-browed silence b
hind. He didn't propose to be caug
twice with merely a smell of cheese.
Instantly Maria put her head into Il