The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-31
MIR. GRUMBLE'S CURE.

Ice or his meals and Snarled about the
way his wife attended to his clothing and
, always complained that the baby cried in
cessantly.
Mrs. Grumbe's brother Tom decided
that it was time to stop this state of af-
fairs, and one night Mr.. Grumblo came
home and encountered an old man whom
his wife introduced as Unclo Tompkins
Now, this hitherto unho ed of uncle prov
ed himself extremely pecvish and rascible
from the start.
air. Grumble silently devoured his sup
per, secretly wondering how long Uncle
Tompkins meant to stay. No sooner was
the table cleared than the iruscible old
gentleman began again.
"Grumble," said he, az wish you'd stop
that creaking of your chair. My nervee
are so weak, and if you could keep you,
children UP stairs their racket wouldn',
disturb me so much. l really don't know
how 1 am going to stand that baby'e
noise.'
81 do not think it is very noisy Ia
by" said Mr.. Grumblc mcekly. cts teeth
arc very painful just Mt present.
Mrs. Grumblc, who was poking the fire,
In accordance with her unclc's petulan,
request, said nothing, but smiled uuietl.
to hear her husband extenuate the baby's
sins.
"Well, remarked Uncle Tompkins," af
babies are noisy. And, by tho way, Crum.
BILE, wish you would oil tho hinges o.
that squeaking door. And don't like thu
smell OF that geranium in the window
Halloa! You haven't any top button OF
your shirt front! l hope my niece isn't y
careless wifcr'
mot Mt all, sir,'' said Mr.. Grumble
nervously, "but the care of her child and
housekeeping duties absorb n great deal Of
her time. The instant she finds leisur"
she will look to my clothes.'
II don't see how woman can spend
her whole time keeping house and looking
after pack of children" observed Uncle
Tompkins incredulously.
About 10 o'clock the old gentleman was
ushered to the spare room, accompanied
by procession of medicine walls, tub
of hot water, WOODEN dressing robes and
heated blankets for his feet, and his alb
sence occasioned very general relief
what an insutferable old duffcr that
isl" exclaimed Mr.. Grumble, throwing
himself with sigh of satisfaction, into
his favorite seat once more. "AIy dear
Bessie, how could you endure his fault
finding?'
81 am accustomed to that, Henry. 1t is
n lesson that most married women are
obliged to learn. replied Mrs. Gr,mbc,
with slight sigh.
Her husband pricied up his ears little
uncasily. Accustomed to it?'' What did
she meanS
1t was not possiblc-it could not ne pos
sible-that he WAS like that odious old
Uncle Tompkins. And yet he wished Bcs-
sic had not spoken in that way. Somehow
it made him feel very uncomfortable.
Three days passed away. Uncle Tompkins
growing more intolerablc the whole time.
I.i1a L.. 81.
by making Il sort Of looking glass of that
worthy old gentleman
"Upon-my- word" he said to him
self, 81 must have made Il perfect nuisance
OF myself all these years. Why didn't
somebody tell me OF it!'
At length Uncle Tompkins went away.
flannel robe, medicine bottle and all, and
on the evening Of the same day Tom Carl
ton arrived from temporary absence, no
body knew where.
$50 uncle has been visiting YOU" he
said gnyly to Mr.. Grumbc
Yes, " said the latter with slight
grilnace.
what sort of II looking man is hc:'
Mr.. Grumble was silent for II moment.
DO you know y he exclaimed, bursting
into perp!eNed laugh, 81 couldn't dc
scribe II single feature of his face. He was
always envclopcd, like an Egyptian MUM
N.Y. i'll silk handkerchief, something like
that one you have III your hand
The most intolerablc fault finder ever
met with, absolutely the most disagrcc:l-
bic man who ever numbered the earth!
don see how it is possible to growl nj cv-
erythng as he did"
That not an uncommon thing | be-
hcvc, observed Tom, demurcly smiling.
every likely" said his brot her-in- law
cmphaiicaliy, "but his visit las been pro
ductivc OF nj least one cilect-it has com
plctcly cured me OF amy tendency might.
have had that way. !, for one, mean to
leave OF grumhing.
''l'm happy to hear il. Nephew Grum-
bic, exclaimed Il cracked voice
The victimized man started up in dis
may, hardly believing the testimony OF
his senses as Tom twisted the silk hand
kcrchici skillfullyround his head and bent
himself nearly double, with an asthniatic
sound between groan and IL lsrunt
why, you don't mean To say that you
are Uncle Tompkins?" exclaimed Mr.
| Grumble.
Pardon me, Henry" said Tom, smil-
ing, "bnt SAW that you had unconscious
ly become 4 habitual grumblcr, and
judged TINT the best antidotc was a faith
full representation of your own falings
Was right?'
His brotherin-law was half inclined to
be angry. bat thought better of it,
Shake hands, Tom, said he. ''You're
an irrevcrcnt young scamp, but forgive
you. At al events the cure is complete. -
And so Bessie found t.-Exchangc.