Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-05-08

ieclly calm anu coilccttu, L ndu uo-
cided on the course l was to pursue.
| cooked the breakfast and poured
out the coffee for Mr.. Martial, and ]
didn't put the poison for the rats in his
cup-though ! felt like it, when he
said something about his shirt buttons
not being well sewed Oh and hoping
would inaugurate the New Year by
reform in that particular.
Thinks |, you're going Ito inaugur-
ate the New Year with vengeance;
but said nothing.
had to fly around pretty smart to
get my work done and myself fixed up
| by ten o'clock; but did it and had on
my green plaid and my velvet head
dress with the bugles and lace just as
the clock struck for / was determined
that that woman should SEQ and feel
the difference between me and her. il
she had any feeling left in her.
When she did come my heart beat as
IL had been running; and it was
mighty hard work to keep my hands
out Of them pipe-stem curls OF hers.
The only way | managed il was to
be very lofty and cool and bite my
tongue when felt like bursting out;
and when she had finished her riga
marole about five children and no
work ! just engaged her without
further ceremony and set her down To-
work in my second story front room,
opened the closet door where my gray
silk hung and went out. pretending
that forgot to shut it.
IA IT, 4 IL. n
shelves and drawers, that connect the
front and back sleeping rooms in most
houses nowadays; and | had taken
care 10 lock the door leading into the
back room and take the key; SO, the
minute that mademoiselle put down
her work and after looking all round
stole into the closet. | whisked in from
the little hall bedroom. where / had
been watching her, shut the door,
locked it and had the key in my pocket
20 quick as flash.
Then | went chuckling down stairs
| but not n stitch Of work could / do for
laughing. / declare, ! was 80 tickled
that almost forgave Mr.. Martial who
was scared out of his wits, when he
found l could not pour the tea for
| giggling, and upset the gravy dish. as
| ] happened TO think of mademoiselle
shut up all day without a mouthful to
eat and squalling herself hoarse to get
! out.
But what is it?" says Mr.. Martial.
oh, nothing" sa~s /.
Its Mysteries" says he, land /
shall go for the doctor.
No, you needn't" says |; Its only
you won't tell?"
NO; | won't tell"
We'll, it's only something funny
I've got upstairs. Want 10 see it?
You mustn't make bit OF noise, then;
come on your tip-toes.
'Its in there" / whispered, I'M
locking the back door this time. just
in-rHERE" pushing him in and lock-
ing the door like lightning.
You'd better believe there was a
concert then. He believing fire and
she squalling murder. but ! didn't
mind, but off | went for my brother
Sam and Pa and Ma Martial.
Brother Sam came fast enough for
he always thought Mr.. Martial was
small potatoes and few in a hin 1T
that" but Pa and Ma Martial wouldn't
believe word Of it.
"Oh, very wellr says l. seeing is
believing and opening the front door
| marched them up stairs and unlocked
the closet door.
Out came mademoiselle like starved
tiger cat and, when he couldn't help
it. out sneaked Mr.. Martial after her.
his hair all rough, and his shirt collar
| tumbled.
There. Ma Martial. says |, what
DO you think now? Pretty couple.
they are, to run away together and try
TO assassinate me and steal my dresses.
Nice romantic young lover, isn't he?
And she's a beauty, too, amt she?"
"rll have satisfaction. squealed
mademoisele. I'll see il I am TO be
locked up in closets and starved and
insulted."
And I'll see" said /. III / am to
have my dresses stolen. ! don't care
about Mr.. Martial You might have
him and welcome; but ! won't lose my
gray silk.
Ma Martial began to cry and brother
Sam was going to collar Mr.. Martial,
when Pa Martial stepped between
them.
See here, George. said he. whats
all this about? Speak up like man.
Who is this woman"
She's dressmaker." whimpered
Mr.. Martial. II bought dress for
Mrs. Martial for New Years, and as
the last time i gave her one she said
the trouble of making IL was worse
than having no dress at all. / thought
I'd have il all ready-made and hear
ing this lady was an uncommon fit |
told her about il and asked her if she
conldnt smuggle one OF my wife's
dresses away ard make it by that be-
cause l daren't 60 near her closet my
self, aud my wife must have heard part
of what we said and contrived to shut
-