Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-11-20
How She Cured Him.


goods. Peter Doldrum was q day
laborer ina small country village,
owning poor cottage and a poor
piece of land; both cot and land
might have been made much better
had Peter Doldrum 50 willed and
determined; in fact, his cot, that
came from the parents of his wife,
was pleasantly situated, and the land
had been of the very best quality.
But Peter was satisfied to work for
Others who would pay him, taking
little heed to the capacities and posi-
bilities of his own place. And yet
Peter had not lived unhappily. His
wife was a thrifty, Woodworking,
good-natured woman, very seldom
speaking otherwise than kindly TO
her husband, though often sorely
tried for at heart Peter was kindness
and docility personified.
But, alas! there was danger of his
going to the bad. The symptoms
were strong in that direction. Could
Mrs. Doldrum correct him? She
had resolved that she would try.
1t was a cold drilling day in mid
November. Peter had eaten his
breakfast and sat brooding over the
kitchen stove. His wife said to him.:
"Peter, can't you put some kind
of a weather-strip on the bottom of
the back door today? The wind and
the rain beat in there dreadfully."
"No," answered Peter with a
shudder. otis cold, wet job and L
don't feel like it."
"Well, can't you fix the pump?
The handle is loose and the lower
box leaks"
"Can't do it, Susan. | amt IA
pumpmaker."
"But you can do something toward
it if you try"
81 don't want to try. Ten to one
| should Spite it,"
"Then won't you fix my mop and
WATERFALL"
"Not today. They'll wriggle
through if you're keerful."
"You can at least fix the windows
in our chamber so that they won't
rattle 50 and let in so much wind"
"Don'i bother, Susan. | amt in a
mood for work. Just you wash your
dishes and let me alone"
Having thus spoken Peter rose
and prepared for going out. His
wife knew very well his intended
destination. He was going to the
tavern, where he would be sure to
meet some of his Weekday cronies,
and where he would drink more or
less. Thus far Peter had not been in
the habit of drinking to inebriation,
but the habit was growing on him.
"Stop a minute, Peter" she said.
"What for?"
"Wait and see."
Peter had couriosity and he waited.
Susan left the kitchen, and when she
returned she had on her hood and
shawl, with an umbrella in her hand.
"Sakes alive! Susan, whereof We
going?"
81 am going with you, Peter; you
are going to the tavern, and | shall
keep you company"
Peter started.
Goodness, gracious! what'r you
think OFF"
"It is lonesome here without you,
Peter, and if there is comfort to be
found at the tavern why mayn't | &C
and enjoy it with you? Atall events
/ am goiug."
"SusanW
"Don't worry Peter; wont say d
word in the presence of your cronies
to hurt your feelings Wen only
enjoy ourselves together"
"Do you really mean it Susan"'
Peter was not entirely oblivious
He felt the reproof. He took off his
hat and hungit upon a peg Then
he scratched his head, and finally
said:
81 declare, Susan, that is a pooty
considerable smart lectur' delivered
at short notice. Don't let's say nc
more. just you take off your hood
and shawl and I'll stay at home"
Susan went away and removed
her outer garments, and Peter got
his hammer and nails and went al
work, and before noon he had fiXeC
aweather-strip upon the door, hat
fXed the pump and the mop, hac
frightened the chamber windows, be
sides having done various other little
things that were needful. And il