The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-03-03
opportunities, and by dint Of making
great parade over helping her in some
domestic work such as house cleaning,

ress.making and the like, the maiden
,dy had managed to ply her other voca-
ion, that of news. .gatherer at one and /,
be same time, pretty effectually.
She always called her by the first
anne, though Betty resented it: and she
nade great handle of her friendship
n every occasion, making John rage
iolently and vow thousand times the
old maid' should walk.
But she never had-and now, scent
ng dimly. like q carton after its own
,rey, that trouble might come to the
pretty little white house, the make-mis-
,bief had come to do her work; il de-
had not already commenced. i
"Been crying!" she said, more plainly
han politely, sinking down into the pref
y chintz covered rocking-chair with an
energy that showed that she meant to
stay. and made the chair creak fearfully.
"Only folks do say that you and
your husband don't live happy-but la!
wouldn't mind-l know tain't your
fault"
Betty's heart stood still. Had it come
to this2 John and she not live happy |!
To be sure they didn't, as she remember
ed with pang the dreadful scene OF
words and hot tempers; bat had it got
ten around so soon-a story in every
body's mouth2
With aIl her distress of mind she was
saved from opening her mouth. So
Miss Summons, falling 10 that was fore
ed to 60 on.
AN l tell folks so," she said, rocking
herself back and forth to witness the ef-
feet of her words. when they git to
talkin' so you can't blame me if things
don't 60 easy for you. I'm sure!"
"You tell folksP' repeated Betty,
vaguely, and standing quite STILL
"Whatl don't understand"
"Why, that the blame is all his'n, y
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood aud her dullness. II say
says I, why there couldn't no one live
with him, let alone that pretty wife he's
got That's what I say, Betty. And
then tell 'em what queer man be is,
how cross, an"
"And you dare to tell people such
things of nv husband?" cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
height, and 10 wering so over the old wo-
man in the chair that she jumped in con.
fusion at the storm she had raised, and
stared blindly into the blazing eyes and
face rosy with righteous Indignation
her only thought was how to get away
from the storm she had raised but could
not stop. But she was forced to stay,
for Betty stood just in front OF the chair
and blocked up the way. 80 she skunk
back into the smallest corner of it and
took it as the hest she could. "My hus-
band" cried Betty, dwelling With pride
on the propoun-at least, II they we're
to part, she would say il over lovingly
as much as she could till the last mo-
ment; and then, when the time did come,
why, people should know that it was
Johns fault-"the best, the kindest, the
noblest husband that ever was given to
a woman. I've made him more trouble
than you can guess; my hot temper has
veSed him-l've been cross, and impa-
tient and"
"Hold T. cried voice. "you're talking
against my wife!' and in moment big
John Peabody rushed through the door,
grasped the little woman in his arms aud
folded her to his heart, right before old
maid and ALL
''Oh!' said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight and setting her spectaces more
firmly.
"And now that you've learned all that
you can." said John, turning around 10
her, still holding Betty, "why-you may
60"
Tie chair was vacant. A dissolving
view through the door was all that vas
to be seen of the gossip, who started up
the road hurriedly, leaving peace behind.
"Betty," said John, some half hour
"what was the sigh for2
don't care now, but I did think, dear,
and 1t cut ne to the heart, how you
might have married richer. / longed to
put ten times ten into your hand, Betty,
and il CALLED me because couldn't"
Betty smiled and twisted away from
bis grasp. Running into the bedroom
she presently returned, still smiling. with
q bundle rolled up in clean towel. This
she put On her husbands knee, who
stared at her woaderingly.
II didn't mean," she said, unpinning
the bundle, "to get it out now, but l
shall have to. Whv, John, day after to-
morrow is your birthday"
$50 'tis," said John. "Gracious! has
it come around so soon2"
sand you, dear boy" said Betty,
shaking out before his eve pretty,
brown affair, all edged with silk Of the
bluest shade, that presently assumed the
Of dressing gown; "this
is to he your present. But you must be
dreadfully surprised, John, when you
get it, for oh, didn't want you to know
i r.
John made an answer he thought hest
When he spoke again he said, perplex-
ed, while a small pucker of bewilder-
ment settled between his eyes:
"But l don't see, Betty, what this
thing" laying one finger ON the gown,
had to do with the sigh.'
THAT" said Betty, and then she broke
into merry laugh, tina. got SO mixed
up with the dimples and the dancing
brown eyes that for q moment she
couldn't finish. "Ob, John, was wor-
rving so over those buttons. Thew
wern't good, but they were the best ]
could do then. And I'd only bought
EN- YESTERDAY. Two whole dozen. And
you put that Slo bill in my hand. didn't
hardly know it, but suppose did give
one little bit OF sigh. for was so pro
voked that had not waited buying them
until to-day"
John caught up the litI,e woman,
dressing gown and all I don't think
thev have ever quarreled since--at least
l have never heard OF it.
To Get Rid of Misery.
What is the use Of suffering from dvs-
pepsia, nervous prostralion or debility,
when Browns Iron Bitters will tone you