Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-02-16
QUEER STORY.

with his wife for undertaking the safe
custody of her friend, Mrs. Jennings
jewel-csse when the latter went away
for her summer holiday. His objection
was, perhaps, not unreasonable; since
Mrs. Jennings could easily have sent
her valuables to her bankers, and
thus avoided fixing her friend with
responsibility. But this aspect Of the
case probably did not occur to the
worthy lady and good-natnred Mrs.
Griffenhoof was very willing to con-
fer a neighborly obligation. As for
her husbands perturbation, Mrs. Grif-
fenhoof made so light Of it that the
old gentleman quite lost his temper,
and Mrs. Jennings jewel-case became
subject of frequent pickering be-
tween this excellent couple.
Fortunately for her peace of mind,
Mrs. Griffenhoof was blessed with a
singularly placid and easy going dis
position, for it must be owned that
her husband was trying person to
live with, on account Of his fdgety
and nervous temperament. He had
developed almost mania for finding
fault with his wife's actions. and was
constantly worrying himself about do
mestic details which did not concern
him in the least, and gave no legiti-
mate cause for uneasiness. Twenty.
FIVE years of married life, however,
had convinced Mrs. Griffenhoof that
her good mans bark was worse than
his bite, and had rendered her indiff.
erent to his tantrums. Despite their
conjugal sparring, the Griffehoofs were
a very devoted couple and the lady
generally contrived to have her own
way, though she was secretly more
afraid of her husband than she cared
to own.
Mr.. Griffenhoof ceased to worry
himself so much about Mrs. Jennings
jewel-case after a little while, and
though his grievance rsnkled in his
mind, he would probably have said
very little more about the matter had
not his wife made her appearance one
evening, when equipped for a dinner
party at a neighbor's house, wearing
handsome diamond star upon her
matronly bosom.
"Good gracious, Maria What is
that ?" exclaimed her husband, star.
ing at her. -.
at is the new dress You gave me
last Christmas" replied Mrs. Griffen-
hoOf. striving to appear innocent of
his meaning.
"Pooh mean that thing there"
cried Mr.. GriffenhoOf, pointing at the
ornament.
"0h, this T. said Mrs. Grifenhoof,
glancing down complscently at it.
"why. it is Amelia's STAR"
"Mrs. Jennings'? Do You mean TO
tell me. Maria" said Mr.. GritfenhOci
with pOrtsntious sOlemnity. shat you
have taken that ornament out of Nrs.
Jennings jewel-case 2"
Amelia won't mind" returned
Mrs. GriffenhOOf. lightly.
How do you know that, Maria
Besides, you might lose it. Imagine
our awkward position il you were to
mislay the thingl Why. Mrs. Grif.
fenhooi. it would almost look like rob.
bery--upon my word it would 4
cried her husband, working himself
into quite an agitated fame Of mind.
"Fiddlesticks. Josiahl" was the la
dy's spirited rejOinder. "If you be-
haysd to me as literally as other men
do 10 their wives. should have had
. diamond star Of my own long ago.
wonder vou are not ashamed to
think-if yoa do think at all about
me. aad take any pride In me, which
| very nuch deubt--that if I don't
wear this should be the only woman