Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-19
A Lesson For Husbands,
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

Bl AMY hANDOLTAs
The little silver column in the ther-
mometer was gradually mounting toward
the nineties; the leaves hung motionless
in the furnace. like air, and the scent of
the perlumed swaths of newly cut hay
pervaded everything, as Squire Sadley
stood under the umbrells-shaped apple
tree and wiped bis reeking brow with
yard square pocket handkerchief of yell
low silk.
"Phew!" cried the Squire, "this is
getting too much. 1 think l shall so
home an hour earlier than usual"
$50 d l, if wasn't workin' for days
wages" said Israel NewcOmb, who was
vigorously turning the fragrant billows
of green with fork which CLEANED like
serried lightning in the sunshine. The
Squire glared angrily at Israel; it was his
pride that he worked as hard as any OF
his hired men, rich land owner though
he was.
81 s'pOse can do as please" said
he.
"Sartin!" observed Israel. IL only
wish l could"
The Squire went home, selecting the
shady path which lay part through the
woods, aud crossing the noisy little
stream on a make-shift bridge formed by
a fallen cedar tree. Far down in the
green cross-lights and glintiug reflections
of the glen, he could see Wild Dallas,
who had abandoned all pretenses of fish
ing, and lay on the moss at Mary Sadley's
feet, reading aloud to her, out of some
pocket volume of poetry. The Squire
frowued.
"Spooning-as usual" growled he
under his breath, and pushed steadily
Oh.
The old homestead, painted white
with refreshing contrast of green blinds,
lay basking in the vivid sunshine. The
Squire looked at it with complacent
sense of proprietorship, as he went
around to the back door, where great
honeysuckle vine was all in curls of Duf
and white blossoms. The roOmy kitchen
with its shining copper boiler and white
board floor, was silent and empty. H'
looked around.
"Hallol" he shouted. "Is every one
deadl"
Little Kitty came running out of the
front-room.
"Hush, father!" said she, holding VI
a small forefnger "Mother is asleep
"Asleepl" rOared the Squire. "a
pretty time of day to be asleep, and tb'
whole house wide open, ready for an.
tramp that may come along, and you
grandmother's silver spoons in plain view
on the dresser-shelf. Asleep"
sI'm sorry, Titus, said an apologeti
voice, as pale, shadowy little woman
issued from the hall beyond, where sh'
had been lying on a Prccrustean lounge
fashioned of uDpainted pine boards, an'
draped with lumpy mattress. 9
hadn't any idea of falling asleep when
Iay down; but my head sehed little
it's the heat, 1 suppose-and I felt dizzy
I'm very sorry, but surely it isn't twelve
o'clock yet"
sIt don't lack mouy minutes OF It,
said the Squire, gloomily, looking at tn
hio wooden clock, whose fat, black Roma
numerals glared back at him from behin'
Green nebula of asparagus branches
oTbe heat, ehl Well, Is'pOse other folk
feel it. too. My head aches, but l don
take to my bed. Aud when man come
home tired and beat out from the hay
field. he materially expects TO find thing
comfortable. Tdon't know what a VIC
man has her board and her keep for
4 amt to see that meals is regular an
things decent"
.1'm sorry, Titus, ''nervouslS reiter"te
the little woman, futtering to and tr
like lame winged pigeOD, "eut I
make all the haste / can. Dinner WI
soon be ready Here Kitty" ITO u
child. sswash these potatoes in the sin
as quick as you can, and trim the beet
Wills run out for some kindl'ngs
hurry up the fire"