The Somerset reporter., 1893-11-16
CT RED.


Mrs. Grumhle, II pretty, tnuid looking
woman. with soft blue eyes and brown
bra Is. land | don't really think the
room i very cold. rs for the smoke,
am very sorry. but the man promised t.
have the chimney seen To yesterday.
''Of course he did-nobody ever keeps
promises to us." groaned Mr.. Grumble.
''lf il had been smith nov, lie chimney
would have heen sccn To long ago. do
give me piece of that steak at least
warmed through; We're not canniaals,
that | know nf. 10 eat our meat raw.
But that's always the waY-Wc never
had cool, that understood how 10 bfoil
a steak.
but my drar-said Mrs. Grumhle.
Don't tell me- interrupted Mr..
Grtmbls. II know Just how things
ought 10 be done. The paper hasn't
come yet, suppose. Ne, of course not.
really wish somebody would eulighten
me- is 10 why my paper Is always hall
au hour later than anybody cl>c's. II
that baby doesn't leave oil crying. /
shall certainly 80 crazy.
Its teeth trouble it,, sighed Mrs.
Grumble. leaving the breakfast table to
walk up AMI down the room with her
fretlul little charge.
"Oh. nonsense" said MIR. Grumbl'
sharply charging at Il slice of taast with
hi fork. y GU coddle it too much,
tlat'. all.
Mrs t,funblr thought OF tfn general
commotion into which the hml-c had
been brown about month previously
when Mr., Cru blc had the toothaehe.
But She onlF nestled the baby's head
against her shoulder and said nothing
Homans way al disposing OF ii great
many little martyrdoms.
NOV. then, where's my hat" de-
manded Mr.. Gfumble, rising and looking
round. VERY singular that that hat is
never in its plaee.
at is Just where you hung it your
self, papa in the hall, said little Harry
from behind his spelling book.
"Chidren shouldn't talk 50 much.
said Mr. Grumbe, tartly My dear,
that rent in the lining of my ovcrcoat
isn't mendcd yet-why did you not see
to it,"
81 intended to do so. said the wife
apologetically' but you know we had
company last night, and the baby slept
so badly that | rose rather later tlan
usual this morning, but
always some excuse" interrupted
her liege lord. II really don't under
stand the reason that nothing is ever
done in time in this house.
He gave the front door little slam rs
he went out, and little Mrs. Grumble
instead of rebelling against her hus-
bands iron rule, Just sat down TO cry.
Mr.. Grumblc wasn't by any means IA
bad husband. He really loved his wife
.,pI haii,InI hib,s,,lf "a Lao "A at
coniusal amiablity, only he had, SOME
how or other, fallen into the unconscious
habit of fault finding, and, like many
another individual, whenever he couldn't
think of anything else to do, he grnmb-
led.
"Cryng again, Bessie" exclaimed her
brother, coming in an hour or two later.
"NOw that's too bad | suppose Henry
has been treating you 10 another domes-
tic growl, I've great mind to tell him
how uncomfortable you are made by
his little ecccntrictics. Shall |, Bess?'
mo, no--I wouldn't have You breathe
syllable to him for the world :" eagerly
exclaimed Mrs. Grumble, hurriedly dry
ing her tears. '.IIeury doesn't mean to
annoy me- lie has the kindcst heart in
the world, and know he loves me,
IL dare say he does" said young Mr..
Carlton; "but why is he trettug and
fault finding hour after hour. and day
after day? lpon my word, Bessie,
think its an oversight in our Laws. that
there is not one to punish married men
who scol1 :"
"Don't talk 50. Tom, said Mrs. Grum-
bic, earnestly. Henry isn't al all 10
blame, only baby is very troublesome,
and had an indifferent nights resi-,
and
"Oh. all! understand. said Tom
significantly, smiling "NIy dear little
forgiving BcsS. you ought to b made a
martyr Of. He sat Il moment in deep
thought, then suddenly starting up, cX-
claimed: ~ must he gone, or ! shall be-
too late at the station to meet Uncle
rompkins. Did | mention to you, by
the way, that Uncle 'rompkins was com
ing to visit YOU"
"Uncle Tompkins: | didn't know we
had an Uncle TompIlins, Tom
"Didn't you, dear: Well, please to
prepare your best bedroom for company.
The old gentleman is rather particular
grumbles good deal, in fact; but, then,
you are used to that sort of thing"
''But. Tom, don't quite understand -
''Don't dctain me now, Bessie. | will
come myself with the old gentleman and
introduce him. Goodby"'
The moment the door had closed be-
hind Tom, Bessie put her baby into the
cradle and clasped her hands to her
aching head. What was Tom thinking
of? How should she exist with another
growler domlnciled for nobody knew
how long at her hearthstone? But per-
haps they might ueutralle one another
like two powerful poisons.
There was spice of comfort in that
reflection, at least, and Bessie Grumbc
wiped her eyes and almost smiled.
What was Mr.. Grumble's surprise. on
coming home that evening fully primed
for domestic TRADE on the subject of
Il button which had drifted down from
his shirt front d uriug the day, to find
his especial easy chair aud corner of the
fire occupied by an asthmatic old man,
whose head and face were cnyeloped in
u silk handkerchief. He stopped short
in amazemcnt and horror
"rhis is Uncle Tompkins, Henry
said Mrs. Grumble, who was busy warm
ing a basin of Cruel over the fire; and
the old gentleman extended one finger
without turning his head, saying in IA
cracked voice:
II Wi,h, nephew, you would shut that
door. Nobody ever thinks of shutting
a door in this house, I'm suffering from
terrible cold. What's that noise up
stairs: | beg, niece, that your baby
won't cry the whole time that | am here.
l. tea ready: II so, will take IA cup