The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-09-19
miscellaneous.
COnquering n Husband.

Uncle Phil has been lecturing me again p'
| exclaimed Mrs. Marian Dykes, as her hus-
band came home to tea one evening. 81 can
not, and will not, stand it any longer" and
the young wife dropped into chair as though
the last remaining portion of her strength
| had left her.
What was the subject of the lecture, my
dear?" inquired Mr.. Dykes, with cheerful
smile, as though he did not regard the situa-
tion as at all desperate.
"You know very well that Uncle Phil has
but one subject"
And that is extravaganza, or the reverse,
economy" added Mr.. Dykes.
"Of course that was the subject of the lee
ture; and you always take his side of the
question. Uncle Phil has ten times as much
influence with you as have. Whatever he
says is right, and whatever say is wrong"
retorted Mrs. Dykes rather warmly.
"lf 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 awhile"
"But Uncle Phil will be here to take part
in the discusson and that is Just what
don't want. He overshadows me entirely
when he says anything, and might as well
Lold my tongue as speak," pouted his wife.
Uncle Phil will not be here, Marian. 1t is
half-past six, and he has to go to q church
meeting at SEVEN"
Very well, but am going TO have some
thing done this time. | won't have Uncle
Phil here any longer. fine 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 her
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 portion of the ady's severe
remarks about him. But he looked as placid
as though earth had no sorrow for him. He
was man of fifty, though his hair and beard
were white enough for seventy.
He did not seem like man who could be
very disagreeable if he tried. He had dea.
conish look about his face, that of a serious
though not austere man. Certainly no one
would have taken him for shipmaster, but
he had spent most of his life at sea or ia fer.
eign parts. He used to read the Bible to his
crew every Sunday, and never allow any
swearing or other bad language in his pres
ence on board ship Though lie was psalm
singing skipper" no captain was ever more
popular with his men than Captain Dykes
Uncle Phil had been married in early life,
but his wife died while lie was absent on a
long voyage. He had recently given up the
sea, and retired to his native town, now an
important place of 10000 inhabitants. He
found himself a stranger there, but at his own
request his nephew had taken him as board.
er.
The gossips were not a little bothered to
determine whether the retired shipmaster was
rich or poor. He engaged in every church
and benevolent enterprise, and contributed
moderately of his means.
Charles Dykes had opened store in Trip
Teton year before, and everybody thought
he was doing well. Mrs. Dykes thought so,
though Charles himself insisted that he was
not making money very rapidly he could not
and took account of stock. In the main, he
was prudent, careful young man, or at least,
was disposed to be SO.
Uncle Phil made 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. Dykes, after Uncle Phil
had gone.
II think not; but you ought not to say any
thing behind his back that you would not say
to his face" replied the husband. "Uncle
Phil is good man, one of the salt of the
"He is altogether too salt for me- III should
put too much salt in the doughnuts, YOU
would not like them. Uncle Phil is salter
than Lots wife,"
II am sorry you don't like him, Marian"
II can't like man who is continually trip.
ping me up, and lecturing me upon economy.
You ought to know better than he does what
you can afford"
81 am sure nothing but his interest in us
prompts him to say anything. Ifone means
well almost anything can be excused"
"When l said that wished you would keep
a horse so could ride out every day or two,
he read me lecture half an hour in length.
Whether he heard me or not, / said lust what
| meant. You must get him out of the house
In some way, Charles. Take your clerk to
board, and tell your uncle we must have the
room"
"If | tell him to go, shall tell the reason
why do So"
II am willing to bear all the blame. I don't
want any one in the house to come between
me and my husband" said the lady with a
deal of spirit.
"Uncle Phil does not come between you
| and me, Marian. That is absurd"
81 have asked you, and even begged Won n