The record-union., 1897-08-22

Der a man as a woman need be tied TO
when he was known to be a little
''overtaken.' At Christmas time per-
haps a neighbor would treat him to a
glass, which Immediately affected his
head, or rather his legs; and on Club
day-oh Club-day was, as Margery
said, a snarei Jack, of course, ribbon
in coat and wand in hand, marched
round the country with the other MEM
bers of the Thornleigh and Little Up
ton Mutual Benefit Club the band play
ing merrily, and the big banner, with
the Squire's arms ON one side and
picture of the Good Samaritan on the
other, streaming in the breeze; and, OF
course, everybody had beer; and, OIL
course-poor Jack!
Margery had "bethought hersef and
'unbethought hersel - often about this
club. It was undoubtedly a good thing
to belong to- If Jack We're sick she
could draw 10 shillings week from the
club funds till he was able to resume
work again, and when he died the clup
would hand over quite a nice little sum
towards his funeral On the other hand,
besides his subscription, he was Obliged
TO contribute, like all the other MEM
bers, towards the annual dinner at the
Thornleigh Arms; and, having pald 1or
his share of the good cheer, it was
only fair that he should partake OF IL.
Margery's just and economical soul re-
baff1ed at the idea of sacrificing his
rights, and yet it was always the same
story. On this particular day every
year Jack forgot himself, and during
the remaining 364 Margery reminded
him of his slip. At last she made up
her mind to take a decisive step, and,
renouncing with struggle the value
of that annual two-and d-sixpence, re-
solved to keep her husband, at home in
future when other folks went pleas
urin.'"
According, when Jack woke up one
Club-day morning, he found no shlnlng
suit of broadcloth Laid out by his bed,
no wand, no beribboned hat-omly ms
working clothes lying in a heap just
as he had taken them off.
.Hullo!" he cried cheerfuGly, what $
gone Wi your membry, missus? To-
days Club-day Wheer's my Sunday
clothes?"
'.I know what day it is we'll enough, .
returned Margery from the adjoining
kitchen. But you're going to none O
their clubs to-day, SO yen not need
your good clothes. Get into the 10th
ers now, and come to your breakfast.
It's late enough"
I'm not goin' to the club?" repeated
Jack in anna cement. An what am l
not goin' to the club for?-me as hes
walked this thirty year"
'What should ye not go for?" cried
Margery shrilly, and then came bang
and caatter of crockery as she prepared
for battle. Dye mean to tell me you've
forgOt--"
While she reminded him at length
and in vigorous language, of his mis-
demeanors of the last year and the
years preceding it, Jack hunted about
for his clothes. But the cupboard was
locked and Margery had the key IN
her pocket. What was to be dome?
Was he to give up without a murmer
the one pleasure of his life-the out
ing to which, for as long as he could
remember, he had looked forward from
years end to years end-be considered
a. backslider by his fellow members and
become the laughing-stock of the coun-
try-side? TT was not to be borne.
just as Margery was working up with
great animation TO this time five year
ago." the inner door was partially
opened, and Jacks wrinIled face, fam
ing with anger, was thrust through the
chink
L mum ha' my clothes, womani Hand
over yon key an let's ha' no more to do.
I'll ha' them, or else go. i tn t'other
ones. I tell ye plain I'm goin', so it
bides WI you whether I'm to go decent
or no.
John Rutherford, you're out o your
senses. I doubt!'' exclaimed Margery.
Pretty doin's indeed for you to be bar
in at your wife that gaiti Get on Wi
them clothes an give over saucin' me.
For shame of yel Ye don't go to your
club to-day. an We needn't look for it..
Your Sunday suit shall bide i tn cup
board, an as for goin' tn t'others, 1
reckon ye know better nor make a
sight O. yourself at this time O. day, an
ha' tn children shoutin after ye i the
lane
Jack banged the door to again, and
lost the remainder of his wife's speech.
He sat down on the side of the bed,
trembling with rage, but, for once IN
his life, determined. He was not going
to be put off with Margery's nonsense,
and would go to the club, clothes or
no clothes, if it was only to shame her.
After a moment or two he arose and
began to assume his ordinary gear
with q solemn face and a sore heart.
Things was come to a pretty pass in
deed when he, John Rutherford, the
Oldest member of the club, was forced
to attend the meeting in such togs'
as thesel He thought of how Margery
herself had hitherto always helped him
to array himself with becoming splen-
dor; how she had brushed his coat and
fastened his cravat and tied on his
ribbons with wifely pride and care; and
now she served him like this.
He looked so subdued when he at
length came into the kitchen that the
womans heart smote her in the midst
of her elation at what she took to be
her victory.
sit thee down. she said, gently,
pushing forward a chair.
Nay, I'll not sit me down, Margefy
Rutherford" said Gilly-f'er Jack, AN
want none O. yer coffee. I'm goin'
to The club. Folks 'ull soon know the
kind o. wife I've got. I'm goin' to
shame ye for once-that's what Tn
goin' to do-Im goin to shame ye.'
He thrust he feet into the great clogs
which lay in the chimney corner and
shambled out of the house, Margery
listening vagugely to the clump-clump
of his step till it was lost in the dis
tanea. She was too much astonished at
first to realize the full meaning of her
husbands threat: but after time 1t
dawned upon her that before nightfall
the history of their quarrel would be
known all over the place, and that