River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-03-21

of the vigorous swearing from the
driver of beer wagon.
"At least to my wifel" he eiacu-
lated seornfully. When they had
reached the sidewalk in safety he put
his hand on his friends arm. "Look
a-here, man." he said. "ain't you been
merried most year,"
''Yep, but what's that got TO do with
it?"
"Oh, you plum fool! Well, l amt
been merried ten years fur nothin'.
Do you s'pose I'd resk the happiness
of our home by actin as if l want
satisfied with my womenfolk's talk =?
No, sir! / always act as if I liked
nuthin' better than hearin' the sort
of truck they tell me-didn't care
nuthin' tall bout talltin' to a man
fact is, a man would Jest bout turn
my stomach! Say, does your wife act
happy"
Jim hung his head.
'''Fo tel the truth" he said humbly,
81 amt made much of an out at bein'
merried man. l amt a drinkin' fell
Ter, as you know, but my wife's talkin'
some of goin' back to her own folks"
shouldn't wonder" said Bill calm
ly. "Well, you amt so much to blame,
fur you are young and you didn't have
family of a mother and a sister and
marry another of sisters-in-law to
learn you sense pretty quick. But you
take my advice-go home and ask
yore wife bout how much that baby
cried and if the stove has kept on
smokin and if that want percal AIz
Misenborg had on last Sunday and if
those new folks jest moved in don't
act mighty qucer-and you listen to
all she answers yer, and you won't
hear no more talk bout her goin'
back to her folks. And say, don't you
try to tell her how the elections went
or what the boys was sayin' down to
the shop, unless it was bout some
body she known G'night, and don
you forget that talk bout Henery
was jest between you and me-"
They parted at the corner and Bill,
whistling gayly, went down the steps
to his CHEEKY home. Maria opened the
door for him, whispering as she did
it, "Henery is here again for supper"
"You don't say" grumbled Bill.
suppressing his pleasure. well. we 90
have hard luck"
We've jest got to put up with it,
so don't say a word Bill; I'll be mai
if you do" Maria turned quickly, her
vexation vanishing under his SYM
pathy.
For some reason Henery's usual
fund of topics for conversation seemed
exhausted this evening" He ate his
supper in a silence that seemed un.
comfortable, and made Dolly look ut
him time and again wonderingly.
When the meal was over he said hes
itatingly that he would like to see
Dolly in the front room for moment.
Got her a ring" surmised Adeline.
"And wants her to set the day,
mabbe," chimed in Jane.
Bill listened with a pleased smile.
He sat down by the kitchen stove and
smoked, making plans in peaceful con-
tentment, but his dreams were soon
interrupted by Dolly who came hasti-
ly into the kitchen, banging the door
behind her.
"Thank Goodness" she said with
vim, I'm rid of him"
rid of Henery?" gasped Bill. "Ain't
yer goin' to take him."
THAT amt" said Dolly, her cheeks
flaming and her eyes filling with
tears. The no-count impudent feller."
Il thought you liked him." said Bill.
"Well, | didn't. Oh, yes, did sorter,
Brother Bill"
The girl dropped down by him and
took his hand with sudden touch OF
tenderness.
81 was sorter taken with him." she
admitted, "but I knew all the time he
was no count and that it was dread-
full hard on you"
"You amt turnin' him off fur my
sake?" asked Bill eagerly. "Oh, YOU
amt no need to do that. Doll Here,
I'll run call him back. Why. | should
like to have him come right in hero
and live with u.s.
you are the unselfishest man I
ever saw" cried Dolly, 'but it amt
for you I'm dom it. The sassy Teller
wanted to tell me de didn't want me
to set too much by his 'tentions for
he's got another girl! Said that to me,
Bill, that's turned off half the men
round here! There, don't be so mad;
it was all a mistake, anyhow, and
it's jest pure luck for you that it's
turned out so. Say, will you tell tho
rest I've sent him Off"
"0f course I'LL" said Bill, sadly.
When Dolly was retired he went at
his task. The girls were distressed,
but his mother and wife congratu-
lated him warmly.
It's fine piece of luck for YOU,
Bill" they said, land you deserve it,
Bill. You'd borne well the thought OF
havin' him to look out for, too
Had II" said Bill, meekly. He was
a modest man in his estimate of his
own deserts and he added with a sigh,
well, mebbe did deserve this luck"
We've certainly got good 'nough
sized family now" unused Marin.