Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-11-28
C~ONQUERING A HUSBAND.
Story Of a Sensible Uncle and an
Extravagant Wife.

''Uncle Phil has been lecturing mo
again!" exclaimed Mrs. Marian Dykes,
as her husband came home to tea one
evening. Il can not, and will not
stand it any longer" and the young
wife dropped into a chair as though
the last remaining portion of her
strength had left her.
f. ''What was the subject of the lee
ture, dear?" inquired Mr.. Dykes,
with a cheerful smile, as though he did
not regard the situation as at all des-
perate.
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 lecture; 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" rctorted
Mrs. Dykes rather warmly.
eff supper is ready, l 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 a while.n
''But Uncle Phil will be here to take
part in the discussion; and that is just
what | don't want. He overshadows
me entirely when he says anything, and
] might as well hold my tongue as
speak, said the wife.
ts1Tpc1n Phil will not ha horo M.
rian. 1t is half past six, and he las
to 90 to a church meeting at seven"
Every well, but | am going to have
something done this time. | won't
have Uncle Phil here any longer. If
he is to stay in this house 1 shall not"
Mrs. Dykes was very young, and her
angry pout, as she sailed out of the
room, made her look decidedly pretty;
a6leastso thought her husband. But be-
fore 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 lady's
severe remarks about him. But he
looked as placid as though the 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 a nan who
could be very disagreeable if he tried.
He had deaconish look about his face.
that Of a serious though not austere
man. Certainly not II would have
taken him for a 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
neverallow any swearing Or other bad
language in his presence on board ship.
Though he was a ''psalm-singing skip
per, no captain was ever more pop
ular with his men than Captain Dykes.
Uncle Phil had been married early in
life, but his wife died when he was alb
sent on a long voyage. He had re-
Gently given up the sea, and retired to
his native town, now an important
place of ten thousand inhabitants. He
found himself a stranger there, but.
at his w request, his nephew had
taken him as a boardcr.
The gossips were not a.little bothered
to determine whether the retired ship
master was rich or poor. He engaged
in every church and benevolent enter
prise, and contributed moderately Of
his means.
Charles Dykes had opened q store in
Tripleton a year before, and everybody
thought he was doing well. Mrs. Dykes
thought so, though Charles himself in
sisted that he was not making money
very rapidly; he could not tell how
a.uch until he balanced his books and
took account of stock. In the main
he was a prudent, careful young man,
OF at least was disposed to be so.
Uncle Phil made a hasty supper and
then went to his meeting. He acted
just a 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
thing.
7Do you suppose he heard what I
said, Charles?" asked Mrs. Dykes after
Uncle Phil had gone
81 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 q good
man ona of the salt Of tho c,rth -