The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-11-22

strobe away from the table.
Mrs. Mayburne stayed to finish her
meal and then sauntered into the
parlor, where her spouse sat glaring at
the fire.
where are my slippers, Mrs. May
burne?'
"On the rug, close to your feet, my
dear"
Il don't want the slippers with the
fox's head on, want the slippers with
the rosebuds and leaves. It's very
strange man can't take any comfort
in his own house"
Josie rang the bell and ordered
rock to split upon was the newspaper.
'Where's my paper? What's the
reason man can never find a larer
when he wants it?'
''Here it is, Philo, folded neatly
under the books" she responded.
''And what is it under the books for!
Why isn't it left where l can find it!'
''If you had looked around my
DEAR
''But | don't want to look around!'
And Mr.. Mayburne unfolded the
sheet and began to read, his brows still
ominously contracted, while Josie sat
smiling beside him, herpurpose shaping
itself more and more definitely in her
mind at every moment that the clock
measured Of with silvery tick.
The next evening Mr.. Mayburne
came home rampant as usual. The
sitting-room was dark and chilly as he
stumbled in.
mo light?" he demanded, sueru-
lousy.
Whats the use of light?" pettishly
asked his wife, who was reclining on
the sofa. under an embroidered afghan.
''The fire has gone out half an hour
ago"
1.-The fire outr' Philo stood aghast.
" But why didn't you have it kindled
up again?'
"Everything goes wrong" grumbled
Josie, with peevish elevation of her
and the chimney smoked, and -
''Well, we'll, my DEAR" said Philo,
driven to the unwonted task of conso-
lation, II dare say it will be all right
"All wrong, more likely" fretted
Josie. 'It Is so trying; and dinner isn't
ready, although it's half past six, and
the fruit hasn't come for dessert, and
I'm so discouraged!'
We'll do without the fruit, then"
There's no other dessert"
"My dear Josie, it isn't best to let
little things fret youn'
'I'll discharge the cook to o-morrow,
said Josie, acrimonjously.
30, no, dear! | wouldn't do that;
she understands her business remark
ably we'll"
''She burned the oysters yesterday"
''Only scorched 'em, that was all!'
"She is always be hindhand with the
meals'
"On the contrary, my dear Josie, she
is generally the soul of punctuality.
Where is my dressing gown?'
Il am sure don't know" said Josie,
| spiritlessly. THAT chambermaid makes
rule of putting things just where no.
body can find them"
90, here it is, back of the door,"
said Philo, "just where she always
| hangs it,.
Then why didn't you look there be-
fore you asked?n demanded the wife.
Mr.. Mayburne found it convenient not
to hear, but poked the fire diligently.
y
over the velvet rug" said Josie,
tartly.
Mr.. Mayburne checked himself, and
sat down shivering, in a rocking
chair
81 wish you would stop creaking that
chair" groaned his wife; my poor
nerves are all in culver. Why don t
they send up dinner?''
''There's the bell now," said Philo,
| jumping up with alacrity; ''come
Josie.
Il don't think 1 care for any dinner,
now that have been kept waiting SO
long," said Mrs Mayburne
''Now, my dear Josie, don't be un-
reasonable. dare say they've got
something very nice for u.s. p"
The beefsteak was cold, the potatoes
water-soaked and the turnips dried like
mummies, while the bread was new
and heavy. Mr.. Mayburne opened his
lips to complain, but Josie was before
hand with him.
"My goodness gracious!" she ejacu
lated, with uplifted hands and eyes
"Such dinner Take me away, Philo
l can't eat a mouthful.
''Just little bit of the steak, dear
it's very juicy"
"Not particle." said Josie, EN-
phatically. Sarah, tell the cook sh'
may 90 to morrow"
"My dear, my dear, pray consider
There's a chicken coming will
bread sauce" suggested Sarah, will
twinkling eyes.
Chicken and bread sauce-the yer,
think detest of all othersm exclaimed
Josie.
Il am sure its very nice,' said Philo
''see how savory it looks. Let me give
you a wing and little slice of th'
breast!"
Its burned to crisp"'
Burned. my dear? Not bit of it. ,
ats raw, then, under the side!'
"Do try it, JOSIE really think it il
, delicious-and here are some steamins
baked potatoes"
"No," said Josie resolutely, shaking
her head; "my dinner is spoiled-that'
enough"
And she walked out of the dining
: room precisely as her husband hat
done the night before. But Philo, les
philosophical than his wife, rose an'
, followed her.
Josie, dear" he said, hesitatingly
as she founced down upon the sofa.
"Well"
Aren't you just little-a littl
c-o s?'
Am I?'
. 'And unreasonable A trilie so9'
y II l.. L