The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-04-20

ders, and they could justkeep tho doors
shet"
Il know. That's what Lucy e,luz
done"
Yes; there's the difference. Lucy
KEEP 'em shet. Prue flung EN- wide
open, hitched 'em back, and when Jim
come home nc night the house was
swarmin' with flies and mosquitoes and
Junebugs- Prue she didn't seem to
mind 'em any. but Jim couldn't eat his
supper count of hayin' 10 beat 'em of
all the time. Couldn't sleep at night,
either. they pcstered him SO. lie sent
a man up with screen doors the next
mornin'. But" Mrs. Rice concluded,
tying her sunbonnet with precision,
''she may Guido him In small matters,
but don't see no way OF her gittin'
him into paintin' that house"
Pruc herself was beginning TO feel
some doubts on that poiut. She had
broached the subject TO Jim several
times, but with no success. Her hus-
band fatty refused 20 spend any money
In having the house reprinted.
at makes the blood 20 rushin' nil
over my face 20 hear folks deridin' 10
and usin' II as sort OF n landmark
that house with the paint wore offs
Prue urged, with hot checks.
II don't think I'd waste my time IN
blushin' for a house, if was you" Jim
returned stolidly.
~ amt blushin' for the house" re-
tortcd Prue. I'm blushin' for the man
that owns it."
Jim prided himself on his even tenn
per, but at this point he was surprised
TO find himself growing angry
II guess / can do my own blushin'.
and take care of my own house, too"
he said, holly.
Prue gave n cool little laugh. "'rain't
your house any longer. You forgit you
endowed me with it in the marriage
service, strealSs and all"
"You amt got any idea how much 1t
costs 20 paint house, Prue?" he ar
gued.
"That's so, IL would be real use
full lesson TO me. Let's begin it Mon
day."
Jim rose angrily. "Well, IL don't
want 10 have this house painted, I'd
like 10 see you git me 20 have it done"
"Oh, you'd hke to-" Prue smiled
"Wel, MS it's my object In life 10 please
you, I'll do my best"
"Women folks seem TO think it's so
ALFRED easy to make money" Jim
growled, as he went out OF the door.
You'd better try il once and see what
it's like" ne called back over his Shout
der.
III only could" Prue ruminated,
MS she moved brislSly about the kitchen.
''Secms's II I'd ought ter be able 10 think
up somethin'. I've got all day to do II
in. Jim's gone 20 South Danville and
won't be back till late this afternoon,
50 shan't have any dinner to get
She was busy with her household
duties for the next two hours, and
when she at last put on her pink sun
bonnet, and started down the road in
the direction of old Mrs Riccs house.
no plan had yet occurred 20 her. She
walked thoughtfully, with her mind
still intent on the disputed question.
IL won't give IL up" she said, ball
alond. IL seW think of somethin'
if''-she stopped suddenly and her
whole face frightened. Then She gave
n delighted laugh and few across the
road.
In the shade of tall elm sat man,
tanning himself with battered straw
hat. Beside him stood n bucket OF
paint with brush sticking out of il.
Mrs Rice. her brown eyes dancing
with triumph, entered into an animal.
ed converse ton with the stranger, and
presently the two disappeared up the
road side by side.
When james Rice drove into Dane.
Vile at sunset that day he was hailed
from doorway by Deacon Gibbs. The
deacon's round little face was shining
with merriment
'Say. JIM" he began. strolxing his
beard To hide the convulsive twitchings
OF his lips, you on yer way home?
Wall, you've no idee how poplar the
turnpike roads been to-day. Kind OF
n promenade for the hull town"
That's so; it's been n real red-letter
day up ter your domicilc." drawled MIR.
Barnes, coming out of the store to join
in the conversation.
The bystandcrs, who had gathered
about Jims buggy, broke into loud
laughter
"ltSa real comfort TO see man
willin' 10 air his convictions like Jim
does," observed one man. admiringly.
Jim gathered up his reins with an
angry frown.
you're n passed. OF fools, and / don't
know what you're drivin' az, ;" he retort-
ed. touching the mare with his whip.
"You mean you don't know what
you're drivin' TO-" shouted Mr.. Barnes
after the retreating buggy.
Jim drove hurricdly until the village
was left behind and the jeers OF his
tormentors died away in the distance;
then he allowed the brown mare to
drop into an easy trot.
"I'll be jiggered II I know what
those fools meant" he ruminated.
Its some joke on me, that's sartin,
but why the whole town should be in
IL I can't for the life Of me see. II It's