Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-29
A LESSON FOR HUSBANDS.

The little silver colrmn in the Their
nlometcr was gradually mounting
toward the ninetics, the leaves hung
motionlcss in the furnacc-like mir and
the scent of the pcrfumed swaths of
newly cut hay pervaded everything, as
Squire Sadlcy stood under the umbrella
shaped apple-tree and wiped his reek-
Ing brow with yard-square pocket
handkerchief of yellow silk.
"Phew! cried the squire, 'this Is
getting too much. think | shall go
home I'm hour earlier than usual"
Sod ], if wasn't workin' for days
wages" said Israel Newcomb. who was
vigorously turning the fragant pillows
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.
II s'pose can do us plcase?" said
he.
"Sartin!' observed Israel. Il only
wish | could!'
The squire went home, selecting the
shady path which lay part way through
the woods. and crossing the noisy lit
tic stream on a makeshft bridge
formed by fallen cedar tree. Far
down in the green crosslights and
gIinting reflections Of the glen, he could
see Will Dallas, who had abandoned
all prctenscs of fishing, and lay on the
moss ut Mary Sadley's feet. reading
aloud to her. out of some pocket volume
of poetry. The squire frowned.
"SpOOning-as usual" growled he,
under his breath. and pushed steadily
on.
The old homestead, painted white,
with refreshing contrast of green
blinds, lay basking in the vivid sun
shine. The squire looked ut it with n
compliment sense of proprictorship as
he went around to the backdoor, where
great hOneysucKle vine was all in
curls Of buff and white blossoms. The
roomy kitchen, with its shining copper
boiler and white-board floor. was silent
and empty. He looked around.
'Hallo" he shouted. rs every one
dead?"
Little Kitty came running out of the
front room.
Hush. father!' said she, holding up
a small foretinger. Mother is asleep"
Asleep" rOared the squire. "A
pretty time of day to be asleep, and the
whole house wide open, ready for any
tramp that may come along, and your
grandmother's silver spoons in plain
view on the dresser-shelf. Asleep"
I'm sorry, Titus, " said an apologize
voice. rs y pale. shadowy little woman
issued from the hall beyond where she
had been lying on procrustean
lounge, fashioned of implanted pine
boards, and draped with II lumpy mat
tress. Il hadn't any idea of falling
asleep when | lay down. but my head
ached little-it's the heat, suppose
and felt dizzy. I'm very sorry, but
surely it isn't y o'clock yet"
1t don't lack many minutes of it,"
said the squire, gloomily, looking ut the
biz, wooden clock, whose fat black
Roman numerals glared back ut him
from behind Il green nebule of aSpara-
gus branches. The heat. eh? Well,
s'pOSe other folks feel it. too NV
head aches, but don't take to my bed.
And when man comes home tired
and beat out from the bayfield, he nat
salally expects to find things comfort
able. ! don't know what woman has
her board end keep for i: it amt to see
that meals Is reg lar and things de-
cent"
Pm sorry. Titus" nervous1v reiter-
ated the little woman, futtcring to and
fro like n larhe-winged pigeon. but
I'll make all the haste | can. Dinner
will soon be ready. Here. Kitty (to the
chilD. wash these potatoes in the sink
oil tpIp th., hnn
while | run out for some kindIingS 10
hurry up the fire"
A minute afterward he could hear
the quick strokes of the Ratchet and he
bethought himself that. in the hurry
incident to haying-time. the pile of
kindings had been allowed to get low.
ut does SEEM" he said. petuIantlv.
''as if everything hindered a mans diu-
ner."
Then, father" said Kitty, CHANGING
shrewdly over the top of the tin potato
pan. why don't YOU 60 out and split
the kindlings and let mother tend to
the things indoors?'
Hush. Kitty" said Mrs. Sadlev
quickly, as she touched match to the
mass of crumplcd papers under the
grse.
Where's the last G0zette?" snarled
the squire ignoring Kitty query.
''Oh, Titus cried the wife, I've Just
set fire to it! | supposed. of course
you'd read tits week old today,
you know"
of course" said Squire Sadlcv Il
might have known without asking! It's
waste and fling away. and burn up in
this house. There ant nothing safe
where IN cXtraSagant wCmau's con-
cerned!'
Mother ant extravaganza" said Kit
ty.
where's them peas brought in this
mornin@?' sharply demanded the
squire looking around him, with Argus
eyes.
There isn't time to shell them now"
said Mrs. Sadley. timidiv.
"Time-timeT repeated her husband.
''Of course there ant time. if you sleep
away your life on that there sofv. |
mean 10 have it taken away tomorrow.
It's deal too handy. WHAT'S the Use
O my plantin' the earliest pras in
market. and hocin' and brushin' 'em.
and then goin' out ature sunnp 10 pick
'em, if my folks han'l life enough TO
cook emp"
Iii have 'em for supper said Mrs.
Sadley. with Il little tremolo in her
voice.
mo you won't. neither" said the