The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-07-01
perform any such menial an Office as

He stopped short as a loud, mascu-
line voice was heard in the entry below
stairs
Does Joe Pantanbridge board here ?
Xes? Oh, all right-tell 'em to bring the
trunks, and you, hackman-a dollars
enough fare. You'll get no more out of
me clear out, and let's, hear no more of
your grumbling. So he's here, is he ? A
pretty chase I've had after him."
Mrs. Mickleberry looked up at the
blanching countenance of Job Parten-
bridge in great surprise and bewilder-
ment.
Who can that loud voiced woman
possibly be ?" she asked. Surely there
is some mistake"
"N-no!" quoth Mr.. Partanbridge,
with ehattering teeth. 1t is my-my
wife,
"Mrs. Partanbridge ? Can it be posi-
bic ?"
And hospitable little Mary Mickleber-
~ dropped her work and hastened to
greet and welcome her new guest, the
paragon among women, the meek and
lowly and well-trained wife of the dough-
ty Job.
Mrs. Partenbridge came into the room
with the tread ofa giant and the aspect
of an Amazon. She was tall, large wo-
man, red-faced and resolute, with the
faint shads of mustache on her upper
lip, and deep voice like that of grena-
dier, and she wore her cloak as if it had
been mans overcoat, the two sleeves
tied around her neck, while her sailor
hat would haye been snug fit for her
husband.
She sat down, at Mrs. Mickleberry's
invitation, with a force that made the
chair crack and tremble in every joint,
and thrust out her feet.
g. Pull off those rubbers," she said to
Job, and the husband promptly went
down on his knees to perform the be-
hest g Not so rough-you're as clumsy
as ever, see and now tell me why
you didn't send the money for me to join
you before ?"
couldn't spare it from my business,
Drusill, my DEAR" stammered Job, grow
ing scarlet.
Hang up my cloak to dry-and get
me footstool for my feet" commanded
Mrs. Partanbridge. Look sharp about
it, too Well, borrowed fifty dollars
from Deacon Underhill, and I've come
on my own hook. I'm tired of being
poked away in the backwoOds while you
are playing the fine city gent and I'll
net stand it any longer besides, | wan
ted to attend the Woman's Suffrage As
sociation, and I'm a member Of the Sed-
leyville Branch of Female Rights Adyo-
Gates. You've got a nice house here,
ma'am,' turning to Mrs. Mickleberry.
might have had house of my own if
job Partanbridge had used common
sense in his business affairs and listened
to my advice little"
Drusilla, my dear interposed Mr..
Partanbridge, but his wife darted an an
cry glance at him.
Job Partanbridge, viii you hold your
tongue, and speak when you're spoken
to ?" she demanded, tartly.
Most certainly, my dear, most GER
tainly."
Then let's have a specimen of it. As
was saying-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 !
was saying, that sort of thing is just
about played out, so far as l am concern
ed. Job hasn't no more wit than yel
low dog when he's left to himself-you
know you haven't, Job, so you may just
as well leave off opening and shutting
your mouth like a newly landed fish
and mean to be boss myself, Job-you
hear ?"
Yes, dear"
Bring me the rocking ehair-nOw
move the screen, so the fire won't shine
in my eyes And get hack early to-
morrow morning, and see that am fur
nished money. l want TO do little
shopping"
Yes, my dear" said Job Partan-
bridge.
And be ready to go with me to the
Suffrage Rooms at l. must render the
report of the Sedleyville Branch
Yes, my dear" asIented the hus-
band
At this stage Mrs. AEckleberry inter
rupted the orders of the commanding
general of the Partanbrdge Division by
tray containing tea, ioast, and other
feminine refreshments Mrs. Partan-
bridge received them with a contemptu-
Gus sniff.
My good lady," said she, dare say
you mean well, but don't feed off such
slop! job :"
+" Yes, Drusilla ~
Go round to the nearest restaurant
and get me bottle of Dublin stout and
dish of stewed tripe. You'll excuse
me, maam," to Mrs Mtckleberry, but
we all have our little ways, and this is
mine"
Away went Job Partelbridge, like an
arrow fleeing from the bow, and soon re-
turned with the requiied dainties, off
which my wife supped sumptuously.
Take my things up stairs, Job :" said
Mrs. Partanbridge, When she had salts
fed the cravings of natme. -" Pve had a
long day of travel, and guess I'll go to
bed early"
If ever mortal man looked cowed, |
wretched and dismal, Job Partanbridge |
did the mex; morning when he made his
appearance at the breakfast table. Mrs. !
Mickleberry could not resist one little !
mischievous hit.
/ congratulate you, Mr.. Partanbridge,
upon the excellent manner in which |
you have developed yolr theories as to
coniugal discipline"
Mr.. Partanbridge choked convulsiyely
over his coffee.
Hush :" he cried. Hush she is
coming :"
Who is coming ,"