Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-09-26
HOUSEHOLD TYRANTS.
The Species Is by No Means Con-
fned to One Sex.

oL Some time ago / was calling on an
acquaintance, who had number OF
new purchases TO display-articlos Of
furniture. decoration. etc, and some
lovely table ware. Knowing her in
como 10 be no larger than my own /
asked;
''But how can you afford such hand
some thingsP ] can not oven think Of
making such purchases.
Sho gave mo an intent look, then,
dropping her voice conhdentially,
said:
Il save It out OF the housekeeping.
For long time have saved at least
half Of my monthly allowance, and
this month will save more. want
to buy me a now silk-something
really elegant"
But" said. 'can you save so
much and still make your family COM
fortablePH
II suppose they are comfortable
enough" she said, as II offended.
"Im sure what's good enough for
me is good enough for theml"
She had detained me so long bring
ing out one thing after another 70 dis
play, that tea-time approached, and
her little boy, a child of nine or ten
years OF age, came dashing in, say
ing:
20 NAL I'm so hungryl Is there
any thing for supper Tonight"
Certainly, my son. We viii have
the supper we always have"
1000 NAL Nothing but cold corn
bread and milkl on"
'IIushl II corn-bread and milk is
good enough for me, it ought to be
good enough for the rest OF you," she
answered, sternly.
''Yes. but, ma, you liks it and all the
rest OF us hate it. Why can't We ever
have any thing the rest of US lilse9"
THAT will do. II you are not hun
-------s,------A --i.-at So. haua-- NAN
hastily took leave, amt as / shut
the front gate heard the poor little
fellow burst into a perfect storm of
sobs. no longer envied her the
beautiful things she had bought. She
had paid too dearly for them. After
that used 10 watch hor children
passing by on their way to school.
Their once ruddy faces grew sallow
and pinched. while deep scowls OF dis
content and discomfort became habit
ual TO them. In a few weeks the
mother returned my visit, arrayed in
tho ''really elegant silk dress. As
soon as there was an opportunity
asked:
And how are your childrenP" She
frowned.
81 don't know what ails them, they
seem so arOopy and cross They
were sucii healthy babies. and their
father and J. too, have always been
strong-I don't understand it'll sup
pose | shall have TO take them some
whore for change. but II seems an
awful Extravaganza
May not such woman be, without
exaggsrotion, likened TO vampire,
draining the life blood, or its equiva-
lent, from the family to indulge her
selfP never returned that visit and
could only think OF her afterwards
with loalhing.
A friend i used TO have lived a short
distance from town, on fruit farm.
One spring day heard she was get
ting ready for her usual summer trip,
30 /, thimble In pocket, went out 10
spend the day and help with her
preparations. She received me joy
fully, and we were soon deep in the
mysteries OF rufiies and cores Though
not intimately acquainted. had loved
her dearly. That night went home
thinking her a selfish little beast At
dinner time her husband came In tired |
and hungry. She had left mo sewing,
and gone out half an hour before 10 |
the kitchen and now called US out 10 |
dinner. The table was set with beau
hful china. and there was a dish Of
squash and small plate Of bread and |
butter, and pitcher Of water. moth
ing else. She made no reference TO
the scanty fare, but seemed TO think II
was all as Il should be. did not care |
for myself, knowing that / would be at
my own bountiful table at tea-time,
but ! did pity her husband. know
that he could have eaten every mouth
ful upon tho table and still be unsatis-
hod. The bread plate was soon
emplied He looked hesitatlngly al
his wife and then saidi
my dear, is there any more breadPn
''Yos," she said, without moving.
II only cut what think will be eaten;
Il gets so dry
"The plato is empty" he said. |
'Perhaps Mira Sunshine would like
somo more"
"Poaid you like some more. Mrs.
Sunehineg" she said, turning 10 me.
on course said no.
lie waited several minutes, then
saidl
1T Il isn't too much trouble 10 get
H. ! would like another piece"
She looked unsmilingly at him for
several seconds. then arose and cut
him ono little piece. He ate Il. looked
irbnud wisiiuIly at tho empty dishes.
sighed aud folded up his napkin.
know him 10 hn the klndest most In
iu|gtnl husband. and felt Indignant
10 100 him No imposed upon. When
W. returned 10 our sewing daxier-
pns|y lod lhe copyersalion 10 the sub
joel
''I|oW Hired and hungry Mr. Wsltors
np1l 60. working o. he dQsS oul of
lp'Rl ~ galf ! sNla