The morning call., 1892-07-02
DEACON FLINT'S REFORM.

the old Adam somewhat"
"We ali have our faults, Sister Smith,"
Mrs. Karst answered, land | am OF the
opinion that Deacon Flint has as few of
them as anybody. He's honest in his deal
ings with people, and he gives to the church
and the missionary fund, and to every good
object that comes along"
"Yes. agree to all that, but cont you
think this last Mrs. Flint is disposed to hnd
fault with the deacon little more than the
first two ever did? / don't like to see
man so strict in his family that every body
bushes when he comes In, and that is what
Deacon Flint's children do. They're ali rs
afraid as death of him.
Children have to be kept down. you
know" said Mrs. KaFst.
''Oh. yes, in certain sense" heartily re-
piled Mrs. Smith, but l think nobody
knows any better than yourself that there
are different ways to keep children down.
/ believe in letting them do just as they
like except in important things. Too many
bard, unsympathetic 'muSts' are not good
for anybody, and much less for children"
II agree with you," Mrs. Karst ans nswered,
after counting ths stitches In her knitted
lace and making sure that she was ready to
begin a scRllop But really believe that
1t is usually better TO be too strict than too
easy. Sometimes II isn't, though" she went
on, impartially. land l think while every
body is SO undecided we can't very well
blame Deacon Flint for his way, although
I'll own up that I'd hate 10 have my hus-
band so strict with my children"
That's just where get my rules" Mrs.
Smith confessed. ''If find that l wouldn't
like TO have my children treated in a GER
tain way l condemn il"
Meanwhile the third Mrs. Flint was In
her room busy with her books. She was
far from being bad sort of woman, but she
had undoubtedly married Deacon Flint be-
cause he was well-tO-do and had hand
some home, good business and bank ac-
count. The first Mrs. Flint and her sue
cessor had helped TO accumulate this
money. and had fallen in the harness. so to
speak
al shouldn't like to use wealth so dearly
purchased" Mrs. FuIgueson, the third
wlfe's sister, had remarked upon her first
visit I'D be afraid there was curse at
tached to it,"
al was little inclined to think in that
way myself at trst," Flossie answered,
"but have come to believe that II spirits
know what is going on, my using the money
is sn enjoyment to the deacon's former
wives. They will see that treat their chill
dren well; you ought to see the warm fan
Dels l have bought for them and their
woolen underwear. The deacon has shaved
for 80 years merely to accumulate wealth;
now am going TO use what is right and
proper for rich mans wife to use. and he
will suffer mental agony. You may think,
Jessie, that it is wicked thing TO torment
aman in that way. but really he has no
business to be tormented. | shall act
nationally, and he will suffer. not from my
conduct, but from his own crooked moral
nature. Worshiping Mammon all his life he
Is bound to be lost unless he stops short.
and If live with him | ought In duty bound
to try to save his SOUL"
Jessie laughed.
"And so your lavish expenditure of money
Is missionary work. she asked.
81 shall try to make it sO," she said 'I
have ordered curtains and handsome Brus-
sells carpets for the four front rooms down
stairs. The till will be frightful. but |
want 10 begin. The children must have
musical instrumental can teach them for
the present"
'Be moderate, Floss" Mrs. Furgueson
haste ana excess"
The next afternoon was warm. Mrs.
Flint, attired in the thinnest OF muslns,
trimmed tastefully with delicate lace. was
seated in a cane rocker, with the latest
magazine In her hard and pitcher of iced
sher bet at her elbow.
Deacon Flint came in at tie front door,
shut 1t with thunderOus bang, and stalked
into his wite's presence. She went on read
ing until she had finished the page AS she
turned the leaf she raised her eyes for
moment and then poured out glass of
sberbet.
''If you would take a bath you might feel
better" she said. ASK cook to give you
some ice-water-not too cold, though. while
you are so warm. And please don't make
any more noise than is necessary. Angie is
ssleep-she has suffered terribly all the
morning"
''DO yeu know" he said, coming forward
step, that have had bill presented TO
me-s bill of S3j0?"
mo, did not know it; but am not sur
prised, for the carpets and curtains came
to-day, and are down and up."
How dared you"
"There Is no question of daring, Deacon
Flint" his wife interrupted. "You prom
lsed me that you would furnish the house
from garret to cellar, and l expect you to
Keep your promise, or as much of it as see
ft TO exact"
'But, Mrs. Flint" be exclaimed. begin
ming to walk about, 81 intended to take nv
own timeand choose what / like. / don't
allow women to"
you will allow me, especially as you
cannot help yourself" slipping her sherbet
know in America wife has rights that even
husband cannot take away. To make a
long story short, l will tell you in plain
terms that intend to enjoy everything the
law allows me. and while 1 don't care to
quarrel with you, l will do so if | must"
''Td like to see what you could do!' the
deacon exclaimed, showing the remains of
bis front teeth unpleasantly. Il could crush
You as quick as"
Others 9' mis- wife suggested. perhaps
not: How would you go about it?"
Warn the merchants of your extrava
sance through the papers, and refuse to pay
your bills"
You'd hardly do that" Flossie answered,
coolly. but even if you did you would still
have them to pay Now listen TO me-" she
suddenly exclaimed. rising to her feet "I
have entered this family with the under
standing that we were to live according to
your means. find everything shabby and
ysur children neglected If there is NOT a
change at once will sue for divorce, with
custody of the children and alimony, and at
the trial L Will prove that your first wife
died of pneumonia and that you called il a
cold, refused doctor and let her die.
IheTe are dozens OF people who know this.
Furthermore, | have your second wife's
diary. and she has particuarzed more little
crHelties and dishonesty than / could haya
believed You guilty of. If you want to
figure nnpleasantly in court try TO prevent
me from living as we ought to live and
giving. your children fair chance In the
world"
"Ill strangle you IL you dare"
II ou are exactly the stuff that strangers
are made OF. but you will not strangle me-"
She moved toward her chair and sat down
with the sinuous grace that even In his
rage he was forced to admire. Something of
this admiration showed itself In his ewes.
and blush OF anger dyed her pale face.
How would that threat sound in court,
looking at him scornfully. "And how would
you like 10 have the story of the Milton
bank failure printed In the newspaper? AS
long as we live beneath the same roof il is
not my interest to see you disgraced. but If
must seek redress outside / shall do nv
worst"
He looked at her fxedy for a moment
then, with muttered imprecation turned
TO leave the room.
"And there's one thing more" she went
on. staying his departure. 81 want Won tn
leave the children alone. Insist unon ir
You punish them with absolute malice. and
they know 1t. You may be able to hood