Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1890-02-07
HOUSEHOLD TYRANTS.
Tho spoc'os Il by No Means Con-
nnod to Ono Sex.

Tho man who stints his family In
order TO indulge himself has for so
long been held up 10 tho seer OF the
reading public that tho other side OF
tho subject has been entirely lost sight
of Some time ago was calling on an
acquaintance. who had number OF
now purchases TO display articles OF
furniture, decoration. ETC.. and some
lovely table ware. Knowing her In
como to be no larger than my own /
asked;
''But how can you afford such hand
some thingsP can not even think OF
making such purchases"
She gave mo an intent look. then,
dropping her voice confidentially.
said;
ii save Il out OF tho housekeeping.
For long time have saved at least
half OF my monthly allowance. and
this month will save more. / want
10 buy me a new sllk-something
really elegant"
But" said. "can you save so
much and still mako your family COM
iortableP
II suppose they are comfortable
enough she said, as II offended.
"I'm 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 to dis
play. that tea-time approached. and
her little boy. child OF nine or ten
years OF age. came dashing In. say.
ing;
20 mai I'm so hungry! Is there
nuy thing for supper tonight"
Certainly, my son. we will have
the supper we always have"
"o-o-o nal Nothing but cold corn
bread and milkl oar
"Hushl II corn-bread and milk Is
good enough for me. II ought to be
good enough for the rest oil you," she
answered, stornly.
"Ye.. but. ma. you iite Il and all the
rest ofus hate II. Why can't we ever
have any thing the rest Of US likeP"
''That will do. II you are not hum
cry enough 10 eat whit we have, you
can 60 without"
hastily took leave. ant as | shut
tho front gate heard the poor little
fellow burst into n perfect storm OF
sobs no longer envied her the
beautiful things she had bought. She
had paid too dearly for them. After
that usel to watch hor children
passing by on their way TO school.
Their once ruddy faces grew sallow
and pinchcd. while deep scowls OF dis
. content and discomfort became habit
ual to thcm. In few weeks the
mother returned my visit, arrayed in
the really elegant" silk dress. As
soon as there was an opportunity
asked:
"And how are your chIldrenP" She
irowned.
II don't know what ails them. they
seem so droopy and cross They
were such healthy babies, and their
father and I. too, have always been
strong-I don't understand It'll sup
pose shall have TO take them some
where for a change. but II seems an
awful Extravaganza
May not such a woman be. without
exaggeration, likened to vampire.
draining the life blood, or ito equiva-
lent, from the family TO indulge her.
selfp never returned that visit. and
could only think OF her afterwards
with loathing,
A friend ! used TO have lived short
distance from town. on a fruit farm.
One spring day heard she was get
ting ready for her usual summer trip,
so I, thimble in pocket, went out TO
spend the day and help with her
preparations. She received me Joy
fully. and we were soon deep In the
mysteries OF ruilies and cores. Though
not intimately acquainted. had loved
her dearly. That night went home
thinking her selfsh little beast Az
dinner time her husband came In tired
and hungry. She had left me sewing.
md gone out half an hour before TO
the kitchen and now called US out to
dinner. The table was set with beau-
tiful china, and there was dish OF
squash and small plate OF bread and
butter, and pitcher OF water, moth
ing else. She made no reference 10
the scanty faro, but seemed to think II
was all as II should be. did not care
for myself, knowing that would be at
my own bountiful table at tea-time,
but / did pity her husband l knew
that he could have eaten every mouth
full upon the table and stlll be unsatis-
fed. The bread plate was soon
empiied. lie looked hesltatingly ~
his wife and then saidl
"My dear. Is there any more breadp"
"Yes," she said, without moving.
II only cut what think will be eateni
itgets so dry"
The plate is empty" he said.
Perhaps Mrs Sunshine would like
some more.
"IPouid you like some more, Mrs.
SunshineP' she said, turning to me.
or course ! said no.
He waited several minutes, then
said,
III IL isn't too much trouble TO get
II. ! would like another piece. "
She looked IN ,mlliugly at him for
several seconds, then arose and cut
hlmune little piece. lie nte It. looked
a ~. .s.l. IL.