The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-02-05
THE MINISTRY OFTEARs,
miscellaneous.
THE CANTANKEROUS WIFE.
a FolEx.TaIe From the Russian of a fan.
sief.
by MRS. BURTON HARRISON.

by MRS. BURTON HARRISON.
From Harpcr's Bazaar.
In old times, in the government of Novgo
rod, there lived a wife on such bad terms with
her husband that she became proverb in her
neghborhood. No matter what he said, she
was sure TO take the opposite ground. If he
told her to get up early and prepare his break
fast she would lie in bed without stirring for
three long days; if he said, Come, now, my
dear, it's time for you to go to sleep" she
would stay awake, talking all the while, till
daybreak. Once, when the poor man ven
tured to ask her to make some pancakes, she
flew into rage, and cried,
pancakes you thief, you don't deserve a
pancake"
"All right, my love; don't make pancakes,
then, if l don't deserve Them" he answered.
oh, so meekly
I'D like to know who is to keep me from
cooking what please in my own house" she
screamed at this. Pancakes I'm gong to
make, a good two-gallon pottul, and you shall
eat them every one"
So for once the poor husband got his fill
of pancakes, but luck was not always on his
side.
Things went on from bad to worse, until
at last the man took TO wandering in the
woods, afraid TO set foot upon the threshold
of his home. One day, while picking few
berries to appeasc his hunger, he pushed aside
a bush, and there beneath it saw pit appar-
emily bottomless. An idea came to him If
he were 10 put his wife into the pit, might it
not teach her a good lesson? So, returning
home, he plucked up courage to address her
in pleasant tone:
"If were you, wife, | wouldn't 90 into
the wood to pick berries. 1t really is not
safe"
Safe, you bugbear What is that to ?"
can take care of myself think. I'll go into
the wood this very day"
"Well, go, if you must, my love; but on no
account go near the great big currant bush
I've marked with white stone at the root"
You want to keep all the currants for
yourself you greedy brute" cried the cap
tious wife, "Be sure I'll have my share"
So saying, she ran out into the woods like
a mad creature, never resting until she had
picked and eaten all the fruit from the cur
rant bush marked with white stone at the
root, As she picked the last bunch the
greedy creature leaned over 10 see if none re-
NAMED on the far side of the bush Over she
went, headlong into the pit and the last words
her husband heard from her were these ooh,
when get out won't /"
The rest he fortunately could not under.
stand, owing to the rapidity of the lady's dis.
appearance. Returning home joyfilly, he
made feast of every good thing he could
discover in the cupboard. Climbing up on
the stove he stretched his legs out for com
Portable nap, but not until after he had enioy-
ed grand smoke, the like of which he had
not known since.the day his honeymoon set
in. After three days of rest that seemed like
heaven, the man resolved to go and find out
how matters were progressing in the pit
Taking long cord, he let it down into the
aperture, and by and by he felt something
Juggling at the end Oft.
"There she -, the poor dear creature
sprightly as ever. recognize her vicious way
of jerking. thought she could stand three
days of it,"
In high spirits he began hauling in the
line, and soon brought to view, not his spouse,
but little black demon, wriggling tremen-
dously. Frightened out of his wits the peas
ant was about to cast the imp back where it
came from, but the creature wept bitterly, en-
treating him not to do so.
Don't send me home again, peasant let
me out if you have any mercy. Home is no
longer home down yondeI since she made her
appearance. Three days ago scolding wo-
man fell down there, and since then we are
all utterly worn out with her Only let me
stay on earth, and I'll promise to do you
good turn
"Then she's no better?" cried the alarmed
man.
Worse, if possible" said the imp. "She
does nothing but talk of what she will do
when she catches you again.
"Perhaps it is as well not to disturb her."
answered the husband, Fastening away from
the mouth of the pit. The imp, well pleased,
trotted at his heels, and as they walked, pro-
posed TO his benefactor business partnership.
suppose We go together to the town of
Nologda. I'll take to tormenling folks, and
you shall cure them. What say you, peasant?
Can't you sec money in the schemeg"
The peasant, after cogitating awhile agreed
to the proposition. When they reached flue
house belonging TO a merchant who hada
wife and several daughters the imp nsinuH
ed himself through the keyhole of the door,
and fell to playing tricks upon the women,
which fairly drove them crazy, The doctor
of the village came, and all tie old gossips
gathered around the house, But nothing
could be thought of to relieve the possessed
women, till finally our friend the peasant,
dressed like a venerable man, presented him
selfupon the threshold, offering to drive away
the evil spirit In despair, the people allow
ed him to see the patients, when 10 ut the
first sound of the newcomers voice, the af-
dicted onts became quiet and submissive. In
the end he succeeded in curing them entirely,
so effectualy putting TO flight the fend that
his grateful hosts loaded him with money,
and fed him on pies and beer