Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-08

fortunately" put in Mrs. Mickleberry
who was sewing away as vigorously as il
every stitch were an unnttered protest.
"And," went on MIR. Partanbridge, as j
he had not heard the interruption. 'ft is
woman's duty to listen--to submit-tC
keep silence!''
"There goes the door-bell," observed
Mrs. Mickleberry; 'will you 60. Moses? Il
is Bridget's evening out"
"My wife, commenced Mr.. Partan
bridge, would never have asked me to per
form so menal an Office as"
He stopped short as a loud, masculine
voice was heard in the entry below stairs
"Does Joe Partaubridge board herei
Yes? Oh, all right-tell 'em to bring tht
trunks, aud you. hackman, dollar'l
enough fare. You'll get no more ont O.
me. Clear out and let's hear no more o
your grumbling. So he's here, is he?
pretty chase I've had after bin -
Mrs. Mickleberry looked up at the
blanching countenancs of Mr.. Job Partan
bridge in surprise and bewiderment.
"Who can that loud voiced woman posi-
bly, be?" she asked. "Surely there is some
mistake"
"N-nop' quoth Mr.. Partanbridge, will
chattering teeth, sit is-my wife,"
"Mrs. Partanbridge? Can it be posi-
ble?" and hospitable little Mary Mickleber
ry dropped her work and fastened to gree
and welcome har new guest, the paragon
among women, the meek and lowly, auG
well trained wife of tho doughty Job.
Mrs Partan bridge came into the room
with the tread of a giantess and the aspect
of an Amazon. She was a tall, large wo
maH, red. faced and resolute, with the faint
shade of mustache on her upper lip, AND
deep voice like that of grenadier, and
she wore her cloak as if it had been mans
overcoat, the two sleeves tied round hel
neck, while her sailor hat would have beer
a snug fit for her husband
She sat down, at Mrs. MickJeberry's in.
vitation, with force that made the chail
crack and tremble in its every joint, and
thrust out her feet.
"Pnll off those rubbers, "she said to Job
and the husband promptly went down on
his knees to perform the behest. "Not 50
rough-you're as clumsy as ever, I see; and
now tell me why you didn't send the money
for mo to join you before?"
I-I couldn't spare it from my business,
Drusilla, my DEAR" stammered Job, grow
ing scarlet.
"Hapg up my cloak to dry-and get me
footstool for my feet," commanded Mrs.
Partaubridge. "Look sharp about it. tool
Well, borrowed fifty dollars from Deacon
Underhill, and I've come On on my own
hook. I'm tired of beng poked away in
the bsckwoods while you're playing the
fine city gent, and I'll not stand it any long
er; besides, I wanted to attend the Wo.
mans Suffrage Association, and I'm a
member of the Seeyville Branch of Female
Rights Advocates. You've got a nice
house here, ma'am," turning to Mrs. Mick.
leberry. Il might have had house of my
own if Job Partan bridge had used common
sense in his business affairs, and listened to
my advice little.''
'Drusilla, my dear" interposed Mr..
Partanbridge, but his wife darted leonine
glance at him.
sob Partanbridge, will you hold your
tongue, and speak when you're spoken to?"
she demanded, tartly.
"Certainly, my dear, certainlyp'
"Then let's have specimen of it. AS
I was saying, Mrs. Mickleberry-Job, go
down stairs, and look in the big.handled
basket on top of the trunk in the hall and
get me my handkerchief and the camphor
bottle with the little wicker.case round it
as l was saying, that sort of thing is just
about played out, so far as am concerned.
Job hasn't no more wit than yellow dog
when he's left to himself-you know you
haven't, Job, 80 you may Just as we'll leave
off opening and shutting your mouth like
newly landed fish-and mean to be boss
myself, job"
"Yes, dear"
"Bring me the rocking chair-now move
the screen 30 the fire won't shine in my
eyes. And get hack early to. morrow
and see that 1 am furnished
money; want to do a little shopping"
''Yes, my DEAR" said Job Partanbridge.
sAud be ready to owith me at II to
the Suffrage Rooms. I must render the
report of the Sedleyville Branch"
"Yes, DEAR" assented the husband.
At this stage Mrs. Mickleberry interrupt
ed the orders of the commanding General
of the Partanbridge Division by tray con-
tainIng tea, toast and other feminine re-
freshments. Mrs. Partanbridge received
them with contemptuous sniff.
sMy good lady," said she, 81 dare say
you mean well, but l don't feed off such
slops! Jobp'
"Yes, Drusillap'
"Go round to the nearest restaurant and
get me bottle of Dublin stout and a dish
of stewed tripe. You'll excuse me, ma'am,"
to Mrs. Mickleberry, "but we all have our
little ways, and this is NINE"
Away went Job Partsnbridge, like an
arrow fleeing from the bow, and soon re
turned with the required dainties, off which
my wife supped sumptuously.
''Take my things upstairs, Job" said
Mrs. Partanbridge, when she had satisfied
the cravings of nature; 'I've had a long
day of travel, and guess I'll 60 to bed
early"
If ever mortal man looked cowed, wretch
ed, and dismal, Job Partanbridge did the
next morning, when he made his appear.
ance at the breakfast table. Mrs. Mickle.
berry could not resist one little mischievous
hit.
II congratulate you, Mr.. Partanbridge, F."
she said, ''upon the excellent manner in
which you have developed your theories as
to conjugal discipline"
Mr.. Partanbridge choked convulsively
over his coffee.
"Hush!' he cried. "Hushl she is com
ing!"
"Who is coming?"
"My wifep'
the low, magic words from that in which he
had spoken them twenty four hours ago.
M. aud Mrs. Job Partanbridge left the
Mickleberry roof that very day for hotel
handler to the "Woman's Suffrage Bur
eau," and that was the last Marry and he
husband ever heard of "my wife" of he
humble slave, the devoted Job.-Neac Yori
Weekly.
THE GOOD OLD TIMES.
"Then times were good,
Merchants cared not a rush
For any other fare,
Than Johnny cake and mush"
Bot now times have changed, and tn,
..,l o.. Ia faro of tho fotb bo,c !;