Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-10-16

him-nOt even the weather And so
we'll accustomed were the little Grum-
bles to the state of the domestic at
mosphere that, at their fathers en-
trance, they instinctively huddled
around their mother, like flock of
frightened chickens.
Mrs. Grumble looked up with sick
ly smile, as her lord and husband came
in, and said:
"Good-morning, Hosea!''
But Mr.. Grumble took no notice OF
this greeting.
"Nine minutes past eight" said Mr..
Grumble, staring fixedly at the clock
'and L supposed-I supposed, Mrs.
Grumble--that our breakfast hour was
eight"
"The kitchen fire wouldn't burn,
my DEAR" said Mrs. Grumble, apollo
getically.
"Other peoples kitchen fires burn!'
said Mr.. Grumble; "and why shouldn't
ours? Marin"--to his eldest girl
"take those hyacinths out of the room.
Their smell makes me sick"
Mamma bought them yesterday,
because she wanted to make the room
cheerful" pleaded Maria, whose es-
pecial pets the hyacinths were.
"She bought 'em because she want.
ed to fool away my money" snarled
he. "Those hyacinths couldn't have
cost less than twenty-five cents apiece.
Twenty-Five cents! Do you suppose,
Mrs. Grumble, that twenty-five cents
grow in the hedges, like blackberries,
to be picked off at pleasure? Because
they don't, ma'am; can tell you that
Beefsteak for breakfast again! Are
we never to have anything but beef
steak?"
"You said sausages were bilious
and liver not fit for Christian to eat,
said Mrs. Grumble, .deprecatingly
"and there's no fresh fish in market.
"Oh, don't trouble yourself t.
apologize, said Mr.. Grumble, waving
away his wife's words. cts of NJ
consequence at all. I've long giver
up the idea that my taste is ever to b'
consulted. Omelette scorched, roll
like some folks religion, neither to-
hot nor cold. Humph! humph!'--
pushing back his chair -"I'll try wha
I can find at the restaurant, down
town, since there is nothing fit to ea
at my own table"
Mrs. Grumble burst into tears.
eyes, cry!" said Mr.. Grumble, sar
donically. clears are cheap, an,
they're so cheerful, too. They max
a mans home so lively. Where's m
overcoat? That buttons not sewn O.
yet?"
"You only gave it to me last nigh
at eleven O'clock" said Mrs. Grumblt
pitcous!y; "and I've hal the childre
to dress this morning."
"Oh, of course!" said Mr.. Grumblt
"There's always some excellent reaso
why nothing is ever done MS desir
IT." IS
And he stalked out of the room
banging the door behind him.
Mrs. Grumble started up.
'I won't endure it!' said she. "I'y
borne it for eleven years, and my pi
tience is " an end
"MeWma," pleaded terrified littl
Maria, to whom these exhibitions {
pat rnal temper We're by no means
novelty-''mamma, don't cry"
''DOn't be frightened. DEAR" sal
} Mrs. Grumble. "Call Betty to tax
away the breakfast; and I'll put O
your things, and We'll go for wal
down Broadway"
''In the morning, mammal"
'In the morning, dear! Is not IL
morning the pleasantest time of day:
: "But you said you were going
make that cocoanut pudding +,
papa?" said sage little Maria.
Papa will do very well without it,
answered Mrs. Grumble, with pee,
I liar contraction of the lips. Betty
= Eyes, ma'am.'
Betty was halfgrown girl. ol