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


DC upie 70 dlrect yer. The shortest
way to South Daneville is straight up
the turnpike till you get 10 a house with
he paint all worn off-you can't miss
IFt-and then turn to the right"
A frcsh-faced young woman. who
was standing near the counter in the
village store, Redeemed slightly as she
heard her new home thus designated,
and VIII an the grocer turned to her and
said, smiiingly: Now, ma'am. what
can ! do for your she Strengthened
herself with little touch of dignity.
II am Mis- James Rice" she began.
"Sholr exclaimed the shopkeeper,
with great interest. "You don't sayl
Wall, don't blame him one mite" he
added, CALAMITY.
A smile stole across the brides pref
~ face. and her severe expression re-
Taxed little.
''Jim, he told me he did all his trad
En- here, SO / thought I'd just step
down this mornin' and order few
things. / want two pounds OF brown
sugar and a bag of -four sent up right
away"
Bridal Veil. of course laughed Mr..
Barnes. with confidential wink, and
he hurried away TO the back of tho
store To give the order.
Two pounds of brown sugar and a
bag Of -four mp 10 Ricc's right off--Jim
Rice's on the turnpike road, Peter"
.'The red haouse with the paint all
wore off strenlSed2n drawled the boy.
That's the one And Mr.. Barnes
returned 70 the door to bow out his
new customer.
Mrs. james Rice walked thoughtfuliy
down the village street with her black
hrows knitted in little frown. IL was
second time within Fl fteeu minutes
lat she had heard Jim's house re-
ferrcd 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-loolSing house, 1t had occurred
TO the bride that her new dwelling
was sadly ia need OF paint. But she
would not allow this thou ght 10 be put
into words. IL seemed almost disloyal
TO Jim 70 ack nowledge even TO herself
that she was unsatisfied with anything
IN her new home.
But now she felt justified in calling
his attcn ton to this oversight.
II guess men don't think much about
outside things" she added, doubtfully.
sri Just point out to Jim Myl II
there amt his mother standing in the
doorway now
A tall, melancholy-loolxing woman,
dressed ia mournful black gown.
stood in the narrow hallway.
II thought I'd come over and sec II l
couldn't help you some this mornin',
Prue.n she said, staring solemnly at her
dauChter-in-law. Jim Is dreadful
particular about his food, and you bein'
so young and onexperienced--'
She was interrupted by gay laugh.
''Landp' CALCULATED Prue. why, on
our farm down in SlxowhcRan there
was four hired men, besides flasher and
my three brothers, and mother and me
did the dairy work, besides gettin' all
the meals ourselves. guess II could
cook for eight great hearty farmers
sap look out for one plain man.
was hull year aforc Jim learned
80 20 cook accordin' TO his likin',"
said her mothcr-in-law, imperturbably.
Prue gave contemptuous sniff.
swell, Of all sarsel I'd like 10 see
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 a horse"
There was 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 de-
termincd curve about her red lips
which decided the older woman te
drop that topic Of conversation for the
present.
"was you plannin 10 do your pre-
servin' next weclx?" she asked. Coz IL
you was I've got a lot OF currants that
you can have just as well MS not
$40, ! guess l won't begin IL just
~ returned Jim's wife, carelessly.
Efcn be SO much else going on. I'm
goih TO git Jim 20 have the house
painted. II needs IL terrible"
Then for the first time Pruc heard
her mothcr-in-law laugh. IL was n
short laugh with no mirth In IL, but II
was very expressive.
Land of Goshen. childl you'll never
'eomplish that I'd as soon think
Why, that's one OF Jim's sottest points.
Prhaps you amt found IL ont yet, but
he's terrible closc-hsted. lie was alluz
q mater hand for sayin, oven when he
was a boy, and I'm afraid II ne keeps
o1Ae'l be regular miscr by the time
hold. I'd have warned you about
this failin' Of his aforchand. as / done
Lucy, II I'd ever seen you.~
Prue laughed.
well, its so. This house Il rcru-