The Penn's Grove record., 1886-05-08
THE FIRST QUARREL

l declare, George Graham, if you aren't
enough to try the patience OF Jobl
don't believe there's another woman
living has to bear what | do. Who'd
ever think that l came in here after
breakfast and worked a good hour put
ting things to rights ! And now what
does it look like
Tears stood in the little wlfe's eyes,
and her face heightened out till you
would have thought she had just heard
Of a death.
"yyhat is it, SUSSEX 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
he had heard he had scarcely compre-
hended u word of the complaint.
"That's just like you. George! If l
we're to tell you the house was OH fire,
you'd only look around and say, where,
Susie p"
He laughed; a hearty laugh it was,
too, clear and ringing; a laugh that
many a wife would have treasured up
as men do precious stones.
1t nettled Mrs. Graham. and she
said, sharply, "If you'd open your eyes
you'd see what it looks like"
He rubbed them briskly and then
peered around. 81 declare, Susie,
don't know what you e The car
pet is swept, the furniture is busted,
the lamps trimmed, the fire bright
what is it +? l 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 lnclsive each
time, to his heavy overcoat which lay
In a tumbled mass on the lounge, to
his hat which was lodged unceremoni-
ously 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.
81 see, Susie, but then you know I'm
q careless, good-for-nothing sort Of a
fellow who lever had any bringing up,
and must make allowance my dear, y
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 / didn't mean
anything bad, you know. Put up youl
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.
GtNfy,aN I baxn fhn lanft1rn HrQt NVifpV
before l can either give or claim a kissi
Well, out with it then. The sooner I'm
whipped, the sooner it'll stop hurting,
as l used to say to the boys when the
schoolmsster was after me with the
rod of correction. But SUSIE" and
here his tones which had SO far been
jocular. assumed a touching earnest
ness, II don't like this being scoldet
every time l come into the house. I've
borne it so far patiently, but it's wear
ing on my temper. l shan't be able tc
hold in much longer. I'm afraid
shall scold back and then We'll quarrel,
and then-our home will be no home
but-shalr l say it, susie y what toe
many homes are, nothing more or les:
than cheap editions of hell ITSELF"
but George, how can l help it
You do try me terribly"
show, Susie ?"
"Why, by never putting things whert
they belong. l was brought up to have
g place for everything and everything
in its place, and 1t does worry me Il
come in from the kitchen, tired anC
hot. and then find the sitting room
looking so. l like TO have things neai
and orderly"
"But you know we can't have all WI
want in this world, Susie, and is i
worth while for you to fret your lft
away just because l can't always think
to put my gloves IN my pocket, anc
hang up my coat and hat, and leave ms
rubbers in the entry pn
The word "fret" was an unfortunate
| one, 1t stung her, and sho laid bitterly
"But you " think, George. You
come In like a whirlwind, and you toss
your things pell NELL every which way,
and if they're ever picked up and pui
in their places, it is | and not you
that do 1t, and Pm getting tired of it
/ can't and l won't stand IL any longer
"What will you do, Susie ?" There
wac severity in his tone now.
"Do2 Why, / won't stand it.
won't be any mans slaye;" and thu
black eyes flashed detiantly.
ibid l aver ask you to be my SLAYER
The mans eyes were flashing now.
"But what else am IP l toll like
one from morning to night to do up the
work and put things in order, ana you
come In and undo it all, just as I've
got through. 1t is enough to make
saint swear"
She was so excited now she hardly
knew what she said.
"And what am II" he Tetorted. 81
you're a slave, Pm as much. Who
earns every cent that's brought in
Who pays the rent, and buys the fuel
aud lays in the provisions 2 Who
clothes Mrs. Susan Graham, I'D like t
know ?"
"She earned her own clothes once
and l can do it again, George Graham
If 1t is necessary, and no thanks to yot