San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-28
PRUE'S MANAGEMENT.
Bf MARJORIE RICHARDSON.

the turnpike till you get to house with
the paint all worn off-Eou can't miss
it-and then turn to the right"
A fresh-faced young woman, who
was standing near the counter in the
village store, redeemed slightly as she
heard her new home thus designated,
and when the grocer turned to her and
said, smilingly: Now, ma'am, what
can do for you?" she Strengthened
herself with little touch of dignity.
II am Mis- James Rice" she began.
"Sho!" exclaimed the shopkeeper,
with great interest. "You don't say!
Wall, l don't blame him one mite" he
added, gallantly.
A smile stole across the brides pref
ty face, and her severe expression re-
Taxed little.
Jim, he told me he did all his trad
in here, so 1 thought I'd just step
down this mornin' and order few
things. want two pounds of brown
sugar and a bag of flour sent up right
away"
Bridal Veil, of course" laughed MIR.
he hurried away to the back of the
store to give the order.
1.-Two pounds of brown sugar and a
bag of flour up to Rice's right of-Jim
Rice's on the turnpike road, Peter"
1.-THE red haouse with the paint all
wore off streaked?" drawled the boy.
That's the one" And Mr.. Barnes
returned to the door to bow out his
new customer.
Mrs. James Rice walked thoughtfully
down the village street with her black
brows knitted in little frown. 1t was
the second time within fl fteen minutes
that she had heard Jim's house re-
ferred to in that disrespectful manner.
The day before, when she and Jim had
returned from their two weeks honey
moon and had driven up to the large
dingy-looking house, it had occurred
to the bride that her new dwelling
was sadly in need of paint. But she
would not allow this thou ght to be put
into words. 1t Sc emed almost disloyal
to jim to ack nowledge even to herself
that she was unsatisfied with anything
in her new home.
But now she felt justified in calling
his atten ton to this oversight.
II guess men don't think much about
outside things" she added, doubtfully.
'rll just point out to Jim Ny! if
there amt his mother standing in the
doorway now"
A tall, melancholy-looking woman,
dressed In mournful black gown,
stood in the narrow hallway.
II thought I'd come over and see if l
couldn't help you some this mornin',
Prue," she said, staring solemnly at her
daughter-in-law. Jim is dreadful
particular about his food, and you bein'
so young and inexperienced"
She was interrupted by gay laugh.
"Land!" calculated Prue. "Why, on
our farm down in Skowhegan there
was four hired men, besides father and
my three brothers, and mother and me
did the dairy work, besides gettin' all
the meals ourselves. guess if could
cook for eight great hearty farmers
can look out for one plain man."
ut was hull year afore Jim learned
Lucy to cook accordin' to his likin', "
said her mother-in-law, imperturbably.
Prue gave a contemptuous sniff.
"Well, of all sarse! I'd like to see a
man tryin' to learn me anything about
my own kitchen. I'd as soon think OF
goin' out and undertaken to learn him
how to curry horse"
There was a moments silence, while
Mrs Rice regarded her new daughter
with some curiosity. Prue's brown
head was bent over her work and her
eyes were hidden, but there was a de.
termined curve about her red lips
which decided the older woman tc
drop that topic of conversation for the
| present.
'Was you plannin' to do your pre-
servin' next week?" she asked. "Coz il
you was I've got a lot of currants thai
you can have just as well as not"
''No, l guess won't begin it Just
yet" returned Jim's wife, carelessly
''There'n be so much else going on. Tn
goin' to git Jim to have the house
painted. 1t needs it terrible"
Then for the first time Prue heard
her mother-in-law laugh. 1t was 6
short laugh, with no mlrth IN it, but il
was very expressive.
Land of Goshen, child! you'll never
'complish that. I'd as soon think
Why, that's one of Jim's sottest points
P'rhaps you amt found it out yet, but
he's terrible close-fsted. He was allui
a master hand for savin', even when he
was boy, and I'm afraid if he keep.
on he'll be regular miser by the timC
he's old I'd have warned you abou
this failin' of his aforehand, as / don,
Lucy, if I'd ever seen you"
Prue laughed.
'Weu, it's so. This house is q regu
lar town joke. We pestered the life
out of him for years, me and Lucy, t
make him paint it, but he wouldn't
and now it's got to be a sort of stub
born pride with him not to have i
touched. That's Jim all over"
81 guess he'll paint it," said Prne
calmly:
Old Mrs. Ride bridled. "weI, if hi