Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-12-16

good breakfast, eh, Mr.. Laxity"
The woman was speaking faster and
faster, but her fury would not long
content itself with satire.
.:Where is she?" she screamed "let
me get at her, the wretchl the bare
faced huzzy, that goes riding about
with men in hearses. That be what
Master Axment keep his hearses for
be it?"
sMy dear!" put in poor Chob.
"Don't'e dear mel shrieked the viz
ago; swhere be she, I say? Here, some
O. you wenches, fetch her out; you
shall have a new gown, if you'll set
the huzzy here before me. I'll show
her what it is-''
ssMy dear Martial" urged Chob, W Q
stood by in an abiect state, fearful to
leave her, yet as doubtful OF the re-
suits of remaining.
The present appearance of the UNI
dertaker, acted like oil upon the
troubled waters Martha heard with
more complaceny the account her hus-
band gave his master, of a poor old
body that had begged a lift, &C.; and
when Laxity droye off his charge, and,
Marster Axment condescended to walk
O. few PAGES at the DANES side, and in
quired after her health, Martha rose
to the seventh heaven of self-complac-
ency, and as soon as she entered her
house, went straight to her glass, and
vowed she must .bounce Chob out or
a new one; the old cracked thing made
one all awly."
Now, if cleanliness and good man
agement could atone for ungentleness
and i'll temper-w which, mark me,
maids and wives, it never will-they
must have done SO at tho dwelling OF
Chob Laxity Martha was as truly
mistress of housekeeping IT'S she was OF
that, alas! less rare accomplishment,
"nagglng.'
Don't tell nc of your lifts, and
your oldH she said, Indignantly, as,
at night, she held him fast bound in
the bonds Of the domestic fireside.
"NIrs. Mouset saw the huzzy, and said
she was young, and Il child, too, she
said forgot the child
An oath very nearly accompanied
Chob's opinion OF his gossiping neigh
Dor.
sIf you was as fond of giving your
lawful wife a lift in some ways, it
would be better for you / haven't
thing in the place but is worn to rags
and strips-there be that glass
ooh, laws! have done! have done,
MARTHA! Thee shalt ha' anew glass:
wife; but lei. us have done now, do!'
And Chob turned uneasly 1nhis chair,
and pulled at his pipe.
But Martha knew the front door
was locked, the key in herpocket, and
pursued her advantage. Finding,
however, she obtained not even a re-
ply, she at length bounced up, gather
ed. together her properties, and an
nounced she Was going to bed.
II got no sleep last night" she
snapped; "mayhap you did, you seem
so Wakeful. +
Poor Laxity! He was inclined
enough for sleep, but he had not yet
had his special glass, which, indeed,
they were wont to share together in
tair weather; this night, however, with
cruel malignity, Martha had knowing
~ carried off the key Of the cupboard,
and, with a malicious Ssgood night!'
left her husband to his reflections.
These were not very long. He rose.
tried hecupboard, found it locked, land
saying to himself, .She has-now
for it them left the room return
ing, however, in g few minutes, and
quietly resuning his seat.
A very brelf space OF time eslasped.
then were heard a series of faint raps
"a pause, then repeated.
There was movement overhead
the sudden opening Of q door-and
voice, in tremulous accents, said,
"Laxity!"
No answer. The raps became near
er, more audible.
s'Chobhamp with increasing nerv-
BUSINESS.
More raps and 81 sort oil hollow
grunt, like bull calf in distress.
"Chob, DEAR III a faint, fearful
voice.
Eyes, MARTHA with sleepy yawn,
as of one aWoke.
"Come up, dear. Oh! oh!'
The raps increased, there was a
scream, the door flung open, and Mrs.
Laxity rushingin in full night costume,
flung herself on her husbands neck,
andin a sobbing tone cried, "Chobby,
dear, oh. Chobby; it's there again?"
"What is there? Martha! you are
choking me- said the husband, quite
innocently, whileth rappings were re
doubled at a. short distance from
them.
The ghost! it's the ghost!" she cried,
still clinging tightly round her lord;
"and you don't hear it? you don't?
OH what can it mean, Chob, dear, my
dear, good husband? Oh! 1here
there!"
"Well, Martha, / do hear nothing at
all; it'splain tbs only meant for you"
HWhat can it mean? Oh! what is
to happen?"
Martha, dost remember when it
came afore?"
ssYes-yes, I know--oh, Chobham,
grandmother did always go on about
my being out Of temper know-yes,
bnt when aWoman is putupon-Chob,
you did not ought, and the wife I have
been"
crap, rapl' she screamed, and