Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-08-18

one Of his lambs suddenly turned into
| lion he could not have been more dumb
founded than he was to see this exhibit
ton of spirit on the part Of his submis-
sive silent wife. He wanted to say
much, but he was so completely over
whelmed and withal very uncertain as to
what further volcanic fires any show of
authority might disclose, that he dis
creetly kept silent. He was conscious of
one thing-a different tack was impera-
tive with this new being and he seized
her closing declaration as basis for it.
1.-TWO dollars dayl That's as much
as old Stafford ever got-and you doing
your own work too. It's shamel"
"What's shame There's some peo-
pie in this place who think If q woman
does mans work she earns mans pay
and they're honest enough to give it. AS
for doing the work myself, that didn't
trouble you when she painted this whole
house and papered it. Besides, can
hire a girl if want to now, without
being beholden to anyone. She's given
me the money for that" Mrs. tMIeeker in
voluntarily clasped her pocket. ''But
I'll get along alone while. / like to
know how it feels to have cent of my
own without asking for it," she con-
cluded.
"That's it. is itsr Mr.. Meeker turned
and left the house with this thought up
ermost. 'She's got some money, too.
I'd always said 'twould be so if women
had money of their own. Alviney d
never more dared talk like that to me
afore in the world"
He had proceeded to the barn numb
ling these words, fully convinced that the
present at least was no time for him to re-
gain his sway in the house, but with the
intention of impressing Hiram deeply
with the fact that he was in authority
| still outside.
chip
But no Hi responded. There stood the
horses, and there was the drag untouched.
"What the dickens has got into all of
'em. l wonder what that boy is up to-"
he fumed, but he didn't have TO wonder
| long.
"Hello! Meekerr'
1t was his neighbor, Armstrong, calling
from the road where he stood with his
stock-wagon.
'Have you concluded to spare Hi a
few days to work out the worth of the
calves. They'll make mighty fine yoke
of cattle. tell you," as Mr.. Meeker
came slowly out to the road. "Hiwants
'em bad, and it amt a bad thing for a
boy to have something a coming on to
turn into money. It's heap of encourage
ment to youngster."
Poor Abraml Here was Armstrong
harping on it, too. Did everybody want
something OF his own2 Did it discour-
age women and children not to have
cent in their pockets2 His children and
wife had been obedient until lately, but
did obedience mean contentmenta 1t
didn't look so right now. Was that what
made Hi so sullen along backl Was he
up to something like Whey, or worse2
The mental catechism with its final sug-
gestion was new experience for Mr..
Meeker as he stood chewing straw, his
foot upon the wheel hub. His head act
ually whirled. Armstrong eyed him
moment and getting no reply broke in
upon his musings.
~ saw him up to DR.. Elkin's taking
down the blinds for Whey. By the
way, she's taken up old Staffords trade.
Strikes me, Meeker, she's hit onto
pretty good thing. l don't know why
girl can't paper and paint; faint half so
hard work as lots they do round the
house. She does nice work, too. My
wife says she must have her to tackle
our kitchen. Stafford's made money and
guess there's enough Meeker grit in
Whey to stick to it and hold his place."
There's grit enough" was the terse
answer as Mr.. Meeker turned to peer
through the Stats at the calves.
They're fne," continued Armstrong
turning around to the calves also. "Am
on my way to the butchers, but
thought sure you'd take 'em. His
good boy, but good boys want some
thing to make them satisfied, on farm
especially. There's lots of 'em pulling
up stakes for the city. Jim Bells gone.
/ told his father he'd better "a let him
hired out here and earned for himself
than kept him down digging for him so
close till he just up and put off. Boys is
boys and girls is girls"
'And women's women" Mr.. Meeker
systematically interrupted as he finished
up his inspection, then CURLY ordered,
'|Drive in with 'em. I'll swap some
lambs for EN-" And he followed the
wagon, vigorously chewing his wisp of
1 sJidW duu inuIIciluk 10 III III dpOioBy W
himself, ''Guess he's tended 'em enough
to have some for the dicker. l can't
spare the boy anyhow"
The calves were deposited in the pen
and the lambs chosen, and Armstrong
drove off wondering at Mr.. Meeker's I'M
usual silence. But the latter had no time
for words; he was doing great deal Of
thinking, as the rapid movement of his
jaws indicated, and he kept it up.
Three parties at the supper table that
night were uneasily expectant of an out
burst, as Hiram and Whey sat down, and
Mrs. Meeker held her breath at her hus-
band gruffly asked.
"Where you been, Hit"
''Helping Whey" was the curt reply.
81 kept him." Whey began anxiously,
but she got no farther.
80 you've gone into partnership with
Whey, have your" setting down his cup
and pushing back his chair grimly.
mo. sir" Hi answered doggedly.
"Well, when she can't run her bust
ness without you I'd like to know it.
| R,,f Tn, tbinkinu vou,lI have vofr hands