Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-04-12
a I'd. if the truth be told. to his own as


night, as her husband was preparing
to change his boots for the comfortable
slippers he had commanded Kathie to
bring him.
She had found SO much to do, and
had entered so heartily into the duties
awaiting her, that her wedding day
had passed very much the same as
those spent under her fathers roof.
Father never chops the wood"
ventured Rosa Bell, seeing the look of
surprise on her fathers face. MANI
ma ALWAYS did it, and when she died 1
looked after the kindlings."
Orphies gave the batch of dough she
was kneading vigorous turn.
THAT isn't a woman's work." she
said, with a determined shake of her
head. Come, Arthur. help papa in
with the wood. and then we will hear
all about the baseball match. Hurry,
Hector. my dear. No, no, Arthur isn't
strong enough to cut those great logs.
That is your work. He will bring it in
as fast as you get it ready. and baby
and will come and see that you do it
properly"
Catching the little one in the round,
white arms bare to the elbow. and
dotted here and there with patches of
flour. Orphies danced out into the
woodshed. followed by the grumbling
Hector and the amused children.
Didn't I tell you father had found
his match?" whispered Rosa Bell to her
brother. He never did this in his life,
and yet he doesn't say word; I'm glad
she's come.'
IF she keeps on the way she has
begun, I'll stand a chance of getting
out to play once in a WHILE" answered
doubling Arthur. al had just jolly
good time this afternoon, thanks to
her. and if L never get another, can
look back on that"
Orphies had been married week,
when people began to look for open
war; but if there was any the young
wife kept it to herself.
To be sure, life was not all sunshine,
but she expected a few rainy days
would creep in. She had married
Hector Hunter in spite of the reputa-
ton he bore. Why she had done so
no one knew, but probably Orphies
did, for in spite of the apparent dreari-
ness of her lot, she was sunny, sweet
tempered and happy in her new home,
just as she had been in her old.
True to her word. Orphies went to
work to enlarge the dining-room. She
had painters and carpenters, masons
and plumbers. till Mr.. Hunter was
beside himself with rage, and threat
ened to go away if that state of affairs
continued.
Orphies calmly listened to all his
speeches; and when the room was
finished to her satisfaction, pulled her
easy chair into the most comfortable
corner, brought out a new pair of
slippers and foot-stool, then presented
him with the bill and the most charm
ing kiss in the world. Strange to say
he paid the former without a word, and
returned the latter with interest.
Still holding her tight but invisible
rein, and atoning for her harsh meas
ures by the most loving caresses,
Orphies at length succeeded in subdu-
ing her unruly steed and getting him
to bend to the yoke.
But her ideas of improvement did
not end with the enlargement of the
dining-room. A two-story L was
added the following spring. The parlor
was refurnished and great piano fer
Arthur's special use was brought from
the city.
MY children shall be taught to love
their home,'' said the determined little
I. 4 Al I
against what he called foolish piece of
extravaganza. Rosa Bell is quite old
enough to go into society. Young
Tomlinson is partial to her, and L had
rather have him feel free to call where
l can have a chance of judging of his
character than to endeavor to meet her
on the street corners or at the village
post-office. Books and music have an
ennobling influence over the young.
and 1 had rather have Arthur master
of the piano than of the billiard-table.
In order to keep our boys and girls we
must exert ourselves to please them.
Give the husks at home, and they will
most assuredly seek the wheat else
where"
To this speech Mr.. Hunter replied in
curt but decisive words. He guessed he
was master of his own children, and as
to having his house filled with compa-
ny from morning till night, he would
not. 1t was out of the question. He
couldn't afford it. Gas was expensive,
and the wear and tear of carpets and
furniture was something to be thought
of.
But, after following Rosa Bell about
from corner to corner a few evenings,
and breaking up a few private inter-
views with young Tomlinson, after
listening to Arthur's boyish bets over
Il game of billiards, and breaking up
Kathie's intimacy with the girls en-
ployed as leash" in Blind & Co. store.