New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-16

got up. looked at IL, and sat down and rubbed
his head till all his hair stood on end
In this position and thus engaged he remained
till the return of FlOrbunda, struggling under
an accumulation of cleaning utensils and appa-
Now, them" said she sharply. "out of that!
I'm goin' to begin at the hearth. You 1on't
think I'm gOin' to wash the floor fust, and rake
out the ashes after. do y'?'
Josh rose from his chair and meekly retired
into a corner.
You come back this instant" ordered FIori-
bunda What do you mean by leavin' thickey
chair there afOre the fire? Hant you been
a-usin' of it. Amt it therefore reasonable as
you should put it back in his proper place?
DO you consider yourself master, and have
them slovenly ways?"
Josh meekly complied.
i reckon, pursued Mrs. FlorTy, applying her
self vigorously to clearing out the CRATE. Taking
away the ashes and filling the air with DUST
4 reckon you call yourself master. and yet allow
your house TO get into this condition. I wonder
how 1t be WI your smack. Be she allowed to
fall into such state this? It's the woman's
neglect, you say. But you're master, and re-
sponslble. If aboardship all goes TO skies and
seVens, who's answerable? You, reckon have
To see that the men does their work. WOt be
you rubbin' of your head for? Do y want to
have that shampOoed? Just wait bit till I've
secured the floor and I'll shampoo you"
Nhen the hearth was cleared. cleaned and
black loaded, the floor was inundated with water
and attacked with soap and a scrubbing brush
The flood approached the corner into which
Josh had retIeated.
Now, them" cried Floribunda, you clear
away from there. WotI Rubbin' of your cad
again? For sure there's something wrong there
You come into the middle of the room Folks
say as how rats he clean animals, although Twin
In sewers This ere 'abitatiOn be every jOt as
bad as any occupied by q rat But it'll be as
tonishin' altogether if l finds you keep yourself
as respectable as a rat. I'll look you over pres
entity, and If don't find you as you ort TO was
I'll bundle you into this ere soapy water pail
and it's not silver sand I'll take to you, mister
hut bathbrick and monkey brand"
Mr.. Samuel Lee sauntered down to the port
HIS trouser pockets were ObtrusYely stuffed; a
heel of a shoe projected from each.
He took his place at one extremity of the
bench and noticing Mr.. Joshua Blossom at the
other extremity, he nodded to him and said
How do?' To this SALVATION Josh made no
response. He sat looking seward. with
placid countenance, and benignant smile ho-
vering about his lips.
After ten minutes Samuel moved somewhat
closer, and said: We'll. mate, how be you
getting along?"
Josh, feeling the agitation of the bench caused
by the mOvemel IT of Sam, which communicated
itself to him through that portion of his body
applied TO the seat. turned his head leisurey
and nodded. without a word.
Five minutes elapsed without Samuel re-
attempting to open communication. But finally
he touched Josh on the arm. and asked, We'll
joshua The man addressed raised his
hands. and withdrew two solid plugs from his
ears.
BEG parding" he said; did you offer an OBJ
servatiOn?'' He waited for a reply holding a
plug suspended by each hand. between the
first finger and thumb.
Il said, Well joshua"
"Ah! well then Samuel
How is you wOrkin' along?"
Middlii'; and you?'
"Middlin'."
Then ensued another protracted pause.
Presently Lee inquired: And how's the
MISUSE
"Yappin'." replied Blossom. But I've nigh on
cured her"
You haVe?"
Josh nodded.
"And how's your MISUSE" asked Blossom.