River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-04-25

A%ANf AAAAAt HAt1l AA0fF ~ lAAat-N IL -
She used to play the music soft and
sing loud
I'm afraid shan't be able 70 re-
member that. said Prue. innocently,
aud She began to sing The Minstrel
Boy
Never before had the Minstrel Boy
departed TO the war under such provo
cation. Prue's sweet voice could
scarcely be heard above the rasping
chords, aud Jim moved uneasily until
the song was finished. Then she tried
squire Jones Darter," but with no
better success. The five bad notes in
the bass made themselves unpleasant
~ prominent, and the two silent treble
keys left an irritating blank on the
listeners ear And as il was that
evening, 50 it was every night for the
next week, until at last Jim realized
the pleasure he was losing, and sur
prised Prue one day with the gift of a
new square piano. That night for the
first time in seven days he smoked his
evening pipe in dreamy pleasure with
4 contented smile on his face. while
Prue sang the quaint old songs with
the accompaniment of melOdiOus
chords.
Old Mrs Rice came over the next
I day 10 inspect the new instrument.
i declare 10 goodness she cx-
claimed, rubbing her forefinger across
+ the polished surface. You could have
I knocked me down with a feather when
heard that James Rice had actually
been and paid out money for a new pi-
amer | can't git over it. How do
wish Lucy could see it,
want to hear it?' Prue suggested
with proud little smile.
I'D like 10. frst-rate, but I can't
stop now. just run in for a minute
ON my way to Mis- beacon Gibbs, and
! see 10y the kitchen clock I'm late al
ready. I'd no idea it was so late"
faint. So said Prue. CHANGING up at
the tall timepiece. Its only half-past
tea"
oh, hut YOU amt allowin' for that
clocks losin' time, Prue. Don't you
know its allus as much as half an hour
slow: Its been that way for years,
ever since il was moved here out of
Grandma Shedd's house"
Its been fixed" said Jim's wife dry
Is.
''Of all things! How'd he ever come
To do il? Lucy"
lie did it," Prue interrupted, 'be-
cause he didn't like his meals half an
hour behindhand every day
why. but Lucy alluz figgered for
that. the elder matron gasped.
Did. Well, Icouldn't seem to quite
remember" said Prue. with such an
ingenious look in her brown eyes tdat
her mothcr-in-law s1ccll her head
dubiously and went away ~ report TO
Mrs. Deacon CRIBS these startling de-
velopments.
i can. make her out one mite" she
ended Whether she's as inherent
as = kitten or as deep a. Jacobs well,
| can't for the life of me tell. But the
way she gifts round Jim is sCnethiu'
wonderful. Jim-.well, You know how
tight ne IS with his money, and now
he's just a-payin' it out right and left
for things that Lucy alluz hankered
arter and had to go without"
But she amt got her house painted
yet" Mrs. Gibbs suggested. smilingly.
NO, but l amt so sure but what
-AAtte a NtAAAN AAN-NAs II lNAiANaA iNAtts
for shes got him to put on screen
doors front and back"
/ DO tell,''
YES, ae done it. You see. he was
away from home all day, and when he
come back late in the afternoon he
/ found il cool enough with just the win
ders open. But Prue she said il would
/ be a sight more comforta bic for her in
/ the hot of the day to keep the two
! doors open besides, and have a draught
circulatin' about the house, SO TO
/ speak"
Il can feel for her. That's power
/ full hot house, pat in Mrs. Gibbs, sym
/ pathetically.
/ We'll, you know how wire screen
] doors cost? Jim he said it was enough
! to have mosquito ncttin' on the win
der-. and they could just keep the doors
shet."
Il know. That's what Lucy alluz
done
Yes; there's the difference Lucy
keep 'em shet. Prue flung 'cm wide
open. hitched EN- back. and when Jim
come home at night the house was
( swarmin' with flies and mosquitoes and
I IGnebugs. Prue she didn't seem to
mind 'e.n any, but Jim couldn't eat his
/ supper count Of havin' to beat EN- off
all the time. Couldn't sleep at night.
either. they pestered him SO. He sent
a man up with screen doors the next
f mOrnin. Bat" Mrs Rice concluded,
tying her sunbOnnct with precision,
she may Guido him in small matters,
but I don't see no way of her gittiu
him into paintin' that house"
Prue herself was beginning to feel
some doubts on that poiut. She had
preached the subject to Jirn several
times. but with no success Her hus-
band fatty refused to spend any money
in having the house reprinted.
1t makes the blood go rushin' all
over my face 10 hear folks deridin' il
and usin' it rs a sort OF landmark
that house with the paint wore of,
Prue urged. with hot checks.
Il don't think III waste my time in
bluShin' for house, if [ was you, Jim
returned stolidly.
Il amt blushin for the house re-
torted Prue. I'm blushin' for the man
that owns it."
Htil III tttt-it fAfAiiNf-At NH AAtN tNEh AtitA-
per. hat al this point ne was surprised
To find himself growing angry.
Il guess ! can 90 ray own blushin'.
and take care of my own house, too, 9
he said. holly.
Prue gave a cool little laugh "Tain't
your house any longer. You fcrgit you
endowed me with it in the marriage
service. streal5s and all"
''You amt got any idea how much it
costs to paint house, Prue?' he ar
gued.
That's 50. it would be real use
ful lesson to me. Let's begin it Mon
dav."
Jim rose angrily. "Well. if 1 don't
want to have this house painted, I'd
! like TO see you GIT me TO have it done. "
''Oh. yon'd Ike to" Prue smiled.
We'll, as its my object in life to please
You. II do my best"
Women folks seem to think it's -
all-drcd easy to make muHe,-," Jim
growled. a he went out of the door.
You'd better try il once and see wha +,
it's like. - ne called back over his Shout
der.
IF I only could, Prue. ruminated,
as She moved brislSly about the kitchen.
4 L IL. = . -.