The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-04-18
IIEN-PECKED.

l1EN-IEtkED.
Mr. and Mrs Peter Hocklehurst had
been married just about three years
when Joe ClaXton came TO visit them
and it was no stretching of the truth
to say that they lived as happy as lin
nets in nest. Nothing ever went
wrong. In short, the Pocklehurst
cottage was fair representation of
matrimonial happiness as may be sup
| posed to exist.
Until-but we must not get in ad-
vance of our story.
My dear" said Mr.. Pocklehurst one
evening to his wife, "Claxton is COM
ing to VISIT us. Joe Claxton, YOU know,
| my old college chum. His wife is away
for awhile, and Joe kindly takes adj
vantage of the opportunity to renew
our old friendship"
How NICE said Mrs. Pocklehurst,
dimpling and beaming. III get the
green room ready for him at once. l
always do love to entertain your
friends, Peter"
You're a duck, my love-" said Mr..
Pocklehurst with tender, conjugal
kiss.
But Mr.. Claxton had not been So
journer under the roof of Ivy cottage
more than 4 week before Mrs. Pockle-
hurst discovered that he was, SO to
speak, the trebrand in the camp.
My, dear said her husband one
morning, ''dO you really think YOU
need that new silk? Claxton SAYS he
does not allow his wife to have one
oftener than once in two years, and, if
you remember rightly, you have had
four silk dresses since we were mar
ried"
Mrs. Pocklehurst bridled Indignantly.
Really" she said, Il should imagine
this to be matter quite foreign to Mr.
Claxton's affairs
"Joe's very old friend. you know"
apologized Mr.. Pocklehurst, half
alarmed at his own temerity. "And
Joe thinks, my dear, that we manage
matters after very extravagant pat
tern here-about the housekeeping,
you understands
'Indeedn said Mrs. Pocklehurst.
Not that I'm at all disposed to blame
you, my love- added the husband,
''but you're young, you know, and in
eXperienced-and Claxton saws six
pounds of butter a week for our small
family is too much! And the butchers
bills, my dear! Claxton says-'
But Mrs. Pocklehurst bounced out
of the room. Human nature could en-
dure no more.
"How pity Mrs. Claxton," she said
to herself, as she beat up the eggs for
cuStard.
1t was only the next day that she
was in her tiny conservatory, shipping
off paSSe vCrbenas and dead geranium
leaves, when Mr.. Pocklehurst and his
friend passed in their walk directly
under the windows, and the mingled
fumes of voices and cigar smoke float
ed up to her .wo senses of smelling and
hearing.
Its all nonsense, you know" said
Mr. ClaNton. "Women need to be
driven with tight rein. 1t does 'em
good. There's no tyrant like domes-
tic tyrant you'll find. What. does the
marriage service say? Love, honor,
and obey Eh? And | make Mrs.
ClaXton understand l am her master" "
Il want to know" said MI Pockle-
hurst, admiringly. But as to my
Penelope, now its"
''lts rather late to begin, | know"
said Mr.. Claxton, but the sooner YOU
make her comprehend that woman is
the inferior sex the better Make a
point of not letting her have her own
way in anything. Lay down the law
and make her live up to 1t. And"
Stop! uttered a clear, melodious
voice at this instant, as Mrs. Pockle-
hurst. with the conservatory scissors
in her hand and righteous Indignation
glittcring from her eyes, stood in their
midst There are two words to this
bargain. No wife of any spirit will
stand by and allow her husband to re-
ceive counsel such as this. Peter"
to her husband, "either Mr.. Claxton
leaves this house before the sun is
down or | do. Take your choice"
My DEAR
I'm quite in earnest, Peter. My
home has not been the same since this
man crossed its threshold. You are
learning through his tutelage to dis
trust me. to regard me with different
eyes. Our heretofore married life is
quite forgotten when flung into the
scales against this mans insiuuations.
Which shall it be, Peter. that you pre-
fer to love, Mr.. Claxton or me9 Choose,
and choose quickly"
joe" faltered Mr. Pocklehurst. II
i guess you'd bettergo. do really"
just as you please said Mr.. Clax-
ton, with dignity.
So he went.
Peter" " appealed Mrs. Pocklehurst,
''you'rc not yeXed with me?"
"NeXed with you, my darlingi I'm
veNed that | ever allowed Wonder
plausible mischief-maker to come into
our house"
Il should like to see Mrs. Claxton," :"
said Penelope, retiectiveIy
Il shouldn't" said NJ Pocklehurst.
"a poor, craven apology for I woman
she must be.'
They live at Swampsey, don't theyP'
Yes"
And Swampsey is only FIVE miles
from Lesiietield, where your sister
Matilda, whom we are going to visit in
she spring. is settled?' queried Mrs.
Pocklehurst.
Il believe SO.
Exactly said Mrs. Pocklehurst.
'Well, let's drive over some dav and
call on the Claxtons. don't think
ever felt such curiosity to see anv
woman in my life. l do pity her sin
cerely."
well, well, just as you say" said he.