The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-10-03
CONQUERING A HUSBAND.


though the last remaining portion of her
strength had left her.
"What was the subject of the lecture,
my dear?" inquired Mr.. Dykes, with a
cheerful smile, as though he did not re-
gard the situation as at all desperate.
''You know very well that Uncle Phil
has but one subject
And that is extravaganza, or the re-
verse; economy" added Mr.. Dykes.
''Of course that was the subject of the
lecture; and you always take his side of
the question. Uncle Phil has ten times as
much influence with you as | have. What
ever he says is right, and whatever I say
is wrong" retorted Mrs. Dykes rather
warmly.
eff supper is ready, | think we had bet
ter attend to that next; and we shall have the
whole evening to discuss Uncle Pills lee
ture. The subject will keep for awhile.
''But Uncle Phil will be here to take
part in the discussion; and that is just ex-
actly what don't want He overshadows
me entirely when he says anything, and
might as well hold my tongue as speak,
said the WIFE,
s.Uncle Phil will not be here, Marian.
1t is half-past six, and lie has to attend a
church meeting at seven.'
Every well; but l am going to have
something done this time. l 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 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 ladys severe remarks about
him. But he looked as placid as though
earth had no sorrow for him. He was a
man of fifty, though his hair and beard
was quite enough for seventy.
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 austere man. Certain
ly not one would have taken him for ship
master, 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 ship.
Though he was misunderstanding skipper"
no captain was ever more popular with his
men than Captain Dykes
Uncle Phil had been married early in
life, but his wife died when he was absent
on long voyage. He had recently given
up the sea, and retired to his native town,
now an important place of ten thousand
inhabitants. He found himself stranger
there, but, at his own request, his nephew
had taken him as boarder.
The gossps We're not a little bothered to
determine whether the retired ship
master was rich or poor. He engaged in
every church and benevolent enterprise, and
contributed moderately of his means.
Charles Dykes had opened a store in
Tripleton a year before, and everybody
thought he was doing well. Mrs. Dykes
thought so, though Charles himself i'll
sisted that he was not making money very
rapidly; he could not tell how much until
he balanced his books and took account of
stock. In the main he was a prudent,
careful yong man, or at least was disposed
to be so.
Uncle Phil made hasty supper, and
then went to his meeting. He had 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.
$40 you suppose he heard what | said,
Charles - asked Mrs. Dykes, after Uncle
Phil had gone.
Il think not; but you ought not to say
anything behind his back you would not
say to his face replied the husband.
''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, Mar
rian''
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 nothing but his interest in us
prompts him to say anything. lfone means
well almost anything can be excused"
''When | said that wished you would
keep horse so | could ride out every day
or two, he read me lecture half an hour
in length Whether he heard me or not,
1 said just 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, l 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 deal of spirit.
''Uncle Phil does not come between you
and me, Marian That is absurd.
II have asked you, and even begged you