Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-05-12
THE FIRST QUARREL


don't balieve there's another woman
living has to bear what L do. Who'd
ever think that 1 came in here after
breakfast and worked good hour put
ting things to rights And now what
does il look Ike Z
Tears stood in the little wIfe's eyes,
and her face heightened out till you
would have thought she had just heard
Of a death.
"What is it, Susie? What's up now?
What does it look like ?'' And Mr.
Graham turned careleSsly and good nat
uredly, too, from the double loaded
article on Reconstruction, which he had
been so earnestly reading that though
be had heard he had scarcely compre-
hended word OF the complaint.
That's Just like you. Georgel If l
we're to tell you the house was OIL fire,
you'd only look around and say, where,
Susie 2"
He laughed; hearty laugh it was,
too, clear and ringing; laugh that
many wife would have treasured up
as men do precious stones.
1t nettled Mrs. Graham. and she
odiA, oIdA pay. IL SOu u OpCu . Jul N.Co
you'd see what it looks llke.n
lie rubbed them briskly and then
peered around. 81 declare, Susie, i
don't know what you mean. The car
pet is swept, the furniture is busted,
the lamps trimmed, the fire bright
what is it? i can't for the life of me
see anything wrong"
"You can't; no, Of course you can't
See there, and there, and there, and
she pointed rapidly, her emphasis
growing more and more InclSive each
time, to his heavy overcoat which lay
In tumbled mass on the lounge, to
bis hat which was lodged unceremoni-
eusly in the middle of her WORK basket.
to his rubbers which were roasting On
the stove hearth, and to his gloves
which had demurely settled themselves
on the mantle piece.
AZ see, Susie, but then you know I'm
a careless, goOd-fOr-nothing sort OF a
fellow who never had any bringing up,
and must make allowance my dear, F"
and tossing his paper on the table, he
caught her hand and drew her gently
on his lap and said, soothingly, as one
might talk TO a fretful child. ''don't be
cross now pet, cause L didn't mean
anything bad, you know. Put up your
lips and let me kiss away that pout."
But the lips were not put up to meet
the touch OF those bearded ones. In
stead, they assumed rigidity, square
ness, immobility.
"Must l have the lecture first, wiley,
before l can either give OF claim a kiss!
Well, out with it then. The sooner I'm
whipped, the sooner it'll stop hurting,
as used to say to the boys when the
schoolmaster was after me with the
rod of correction. But SUSIE" and
here his tones which had so far been
iOeular. assumed a touching earnest
ness, ~ don't like this being scolded
every time l come into the house. I've
borne it so far patiently, but it's wear
ing on my temper shan't be able to
hold in much longer. I'm afraid L
shall sc0ld back and then We'll quarrel.
and then-Our home will be no home,
but-shall l say it, susie p what too
many homes are, nothing more or less
than cheap editions of hell itself"
But George, how can l help 1t !
You do try me terribly"
How, Susie ?"
"Why, by never putting things where
they belong. was brought up to have
aplace for everything and everything
In It's place, and it does worry me to
come in from the kitchen, tired and
not, and then find the sitting loom
looking so. like to have things neat
and orderly"
But you know we can't have all we
want in this world, Susie, and is it
worth while for you to fret your life
away Just because l can't always think
70 put my gloves IN my pocket, and
hang up my coat and hat, and leave my
rubbers in the entry ?"
The word fret" was an unfortunate
one; 1t stung her, and she aid bitterly:
But you never think, George. You
come IN Ike whirlwind, and you toss
Your things pell nell every which way,
ahd II they're ever picked up and put
10 their places, it is 1 and not you,
mat DO it, and I'm getting tired of It,
can't and l won't stand it any longer.
" hat will you do, Susie ?" There
wa severity In his tone row.
Dor Why, 1 won't stand it. 1
wont be any mans slaye;;" and the
piack eyes flashed defantly.
DID l ever ask You TO be my slave?n
ine mans eyes were flashing now.
But what else am L? l toll like
one from morning to night to do up the
Work and put things in order, and you
come in and undo it all, just as I've
got through. 1t is enough to make a
saint gwear.n
enc was so excited now she hardly
Knew what she said.
And what am II" he Ietorted. "If
you're slave, I'm as much. Who
seIns every cent that's brought in i?
m9o pays the rent, and buys the fuel,
sla lays In the provisions Who
S.Othes Mrs. Susan Graham, I'd like to
one earned her own clothes once,
u1u can do it again, George Graham,
n Is necessary, and no thanks to you
Or any other MANI
AIS Dity she hadn't Eant on parn.