St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-10-15

one of his lambs suddenly turned into
lion he could not have been more dumb
founded than he was to see this exhibit
tion of spirit on the part of his submis-
sive, silent wife. He wanted to say
much, but he was so completely over
whelmcd and witlMl very uncertain as to
what further volcanic fires any show of
authority might disclose, that he dis
crectly 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 a basis for it.
'"Two dollars day! That's as much
as old Stafford ever got-and you doing
your own work too It's a shamc.'
"What's shame There's some pco-
PIE in this place who think if a woman
does man 5 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 papcrcd it. Besides, I can
hire girl if I want to now, without
being beholden to anyone. She's given
me the money for that" Mrs. Meckcr in
voluntarily clasped her pocket. ''But
I'll get along alone a while. l like to
know how it feels to have cent Of my
own without asking for it." she con-
cludcd.
"That's it, is it2' Mr.. Mcckcr turned
and left the house with this thought up
crmost. "Shc's got some money, too.
I'd always said 'twould be SO if women
had money of their own. Alvincy d
never more dared talk like that to me
aforc 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 imprcssing Hiram deeply
with the fact that he was in authority
still outside.
Clip
But no Hi responded. There stood the
horses, and there was the drag untouched.
"What the dickens has got into all Of
'em. wonder what that boy is upto,"
he fumcd, but he didn't have to wonder
long.
''Hcllo. McckcrT
1t was his neighbor, Armstrong, calling
from the road where he stood with his
stock-Wagon.
"IIave you concluded to spare Hi
few days to work out the worth of the
calves They'll make mighty fine yoke
of cattle | tell you,' as Mr.. Mcckcr
came slowly out to the road. Eli wants
cm bad, and it amt a bad thing for a
boy to have something coming on to
turn into money. It's a heap of encourage
mcnt to a youngstcr."
Poor Abram. Here was Armstrong
harping on it, too. Did everybody want
something of his own! Did it discour-
age women and children not to have Il
cent in their pockets! His children and
wife had been obcdicnt until lately, but
did obedience mean contcntmcnt! 1t
didn't look 50 right now. Was that what
made Iii so sulcn along backl Was he
up to something like Whey, or worse!
The mcntal catcchism with its final Sug-
gcstion was a new experience for MIR.
MccIlcr as he stood chewing a straw, his
foot upon the wheel hub. His head act
uallv whirled. Armstrong eyed him Il
moment and getting no reply broke LII
upon his musings.
~ saw him up to DR.. Elllin's taking
down the blinds for Whey. BY the
way, she's taken up old Statford's trade
Strikes me, Meckcr, she's hit onto 4
pretty good thing. l don't know why
girl can't paper and paint; faint half 50
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 Statfortl's made money and
I guess there's enough Mcekcr grit in
Vincy to stick to it and hold his place.
"Thcre's grit cnough,' was the tcrse
answer as Mr. Ncckcr turned to peer
through the Stats at the calves.
"Thcvrc fine" continued Armstrong
turning around to the calves also. Am
on my way to the Butchers. but |
thought sure you'd take en-. His Il
good boy, but good boys want some
thing to make them satisfied, on farm
especially. There's lots of EN- pulling
up stakes for the city. Jim Bells gone.
| told his father he'd better Il let him
hired out here and earned for himself
than kept him down digging Tor him 50
close till he just up and put off. Boys is
boys and girls is girls
and womcn's women" Mr.. MecIlcr
systematically interrupted us 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
straw and muttcring as if in apology to
himself, Guess he's tended EN- enough
to have some for the dickcr. | can't
spare the boy anyhow"
The calves were deposited in the pen
and the lambs chosen, and Armstrong
drove off wondering at Mr.. Mecke1'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 eXpcctant of an out
burst, as Hiram and Whey sat down, and
Mrs. Meckcr held her breath at her hus-
band grut1ly asked.
"Wherc you been, IIi?'
"lIelping Whey" was the curt reply.
~ kept him." Whey began anxiously,
but she got no farther.
so you've gone into partnership with
Whey, have you?' setting down his cup
and pushing back his chair grimly.
ono, sir" Hi answered doggedly.
"Wcll, when she can't run her bust
ness without you I'd like to know it.
But I'm thinking you'll have your hands
full enough of your own just now. That
lot amt finished and calves need tending
up to-"
With this Mr.. Meeker picked up his
hat and walked out leaving the three