The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-09-01

tWelVemOntn previous MISS Eiflra
Simmons had made the most of hef fep-
and by dInt of making great
parade over helping her in some domes-
ic work, such as housekeeping. dress
making and the like. ihe maiden lady
,ad managed to ply her other vocation,
hat of news. atherer, one and the s@lne
lime, pretty eff ctually.
She always called her nv her 4rsf
name, though Betty resented.it; and she
made great handle of her friendsaip
on everv occasion, making John rage
and vow Thousand times The
'.old maid" should walk!
But she never had-and now, scent
ing dimly, like carrion after its prey S
hat trouble might come to the eSHsetsyI
little white house, the ake.mischief had
come TO do her work, II devastation bad
really commenced
'.Been cryingl'' she said. more plainly
than politely, and sinking down into the
pretty chintz.covered rocking-c g-chair with
an energy tina. showed she meant to stay,
and made the chair creak fearfulIy.-
"Only folk, do say that you and your
husband don't live happy but la!
wouldn't mind-I know faint your
fault"
Betty's heart stood still. Had it come
to this ? John and she not to live hap
py! To be sure they didn't, as she re-
membered with papg the dreadful
scene of words and hot tempers; but
had it gotten around 40 of,en-a story
in everybody's mou,hp. With all her
distress OF mind she was saved from
opening her mouth. So Miss Simmons,
failing in that, was forced to 90 on.
"An' I tell folks So" she said, rock.
ing herself back and forth to witness the
effect 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 folks 80 ?" repeated Betty
vaguely. and standing quite s ILL
"Whatp I don't understand you"
"Why, that the blame Is all his'n,"
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. 81 say,
saws l, whv they couldn't no one live
with him, let alone that pretty wife be is
got. That's what l saw, Betty And
then, / tell 'eun what ieer man he is,
how cross, and"
"And you dare to tell people such
things of my husband?' cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her ex,remesl
height. ann towering 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 eve and
face rosy with indignation; her only
thought was how to get away from the
storm she had raised, hut could not stop
But she was forced to stay. for Betty
stood just in front of the chair and
blocked up the way, so she skunk back
into the smallest corner of it and took
it as hest che could "My husband r
cried Betty, dwelling With pride on the
pronoun-at least, if they we're to par,
she would say it over lovingly as much
as she could till the last moment, and
then, when the time did come, why pee.
pie should know that it wasn't Johns
fault--"lhe best, the kindest, the noblesl
husband that ever was given TO wo.
man I've made him more trouble than
you can guess; my hot temper has vex-
ei him; I've been cross, impatient, and
-
"Hold!" cried voice, "you're talk.
ing against my wifel" and in moment
big John Peabody rushed through the
door, grasped the little woman in his
arms and folded her to his heart righl
before the old maid.
) "Oh!" said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight ana setting her spectacles more
firmly
Sand now that you've learned all thai
you can" said John. turning around to
her. still holding Betty, "why-you may
go!"
The chair was vacant. A dissolvinp
view through the door was all that was
to be seen of the gossip. who started or
The road hurriedly, leaving peace be.
hind.
Betty" said John some half hosr At
terward, "what was the sigh for. don'l
care now, bat l did think, dear, and il
cut me to the heart. how you mighshave
married richer l longed to put zen times
ten into yoar hand e Betty, aud il galded
me because ] couldn't"
Bette smile and twis' ed away from his
grasp. Running into The bed room she
presently returned, still smiling, with 9
bundle rolled up in clean towel. This
she put on her husbands knee, who
stared at her wonderingly.
II didn't maan," she said, unpipnine
the bundle, ito let it ont now. but
shall have to. Why, John. day after
to- morrow is your birth -day!'
$50 tits J" aid John. Gracious, has
it come round so soonf"
Wand, you dear boy" said Betty
shaking out before his eyes pretty
brown affair, all edged with silk of the
bluest shade that presently assumed the
proportions of dressing-gown, "this
is to be your present. But you must be
dreadfully surprised. John. when yor
get it. for Oh, didn't want you IL
know!"
John made the answer he thought
best When he spoke again he said per-
plexedly. while a small pucker OF be-
wilderment settled between his eyes:
"But / don't see. Bstty, what this
thing," laying one f,ger on the dress
ing-gown, "hsd to do with. the sigh p
That" said B ,tty, and then she broke
into marry laugh that got 80 mixed ur
With the dimples and the dancing brown
eyes that for a N 'ment abe could not
finish. "Oh, John, was worrying 81
over those buttons! They weren't good
but they were the best could do then.
And I'd only bought them Yesterday =
Two whole dozen And when you put
that ten dollar bill in nv hand l didn''
hardly know 1t, but l suppose I did give
one little bit of sigh, for | was so pro.
voked that | hadn't waited buying them
till to-day"
John caught up the little woman dress.
ing.sown and all. l don't think the,
have ever auarreled since-at least
have never heard Of it.-Philadelphio
CaN