The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-05-17

iute type. WHen MS only son mar
ried and his daugbter-in-law was dis
covered TO be a person Of large, cheer
full views, which she did not submit
TO the arbitrament Of his judgment, he
experienced a most annoying surprise
One of Amanda's opinions was that
the use Of coalstove is primarily "a
keep the house warm In winter, rather
than to give superior economist an
opportunity TO show how little coal he
can burn and still keep the fire actual
ly alight. Hence arose the war Of the
check draft, which ragged with inter
mittent fury from October TO May.
The old man would come in ruddy
from those outdoor chores with which
he mitigated the tedious leisure Of his
old age, and remark, my, you've got
Ii hot herew He would then pull out
the check draft with defiant click.
Amanda's response depended upon
her mood If she happened TO be
engrossed in some prospective triumph
of needlewOrk, she paid no attention 10
the challenge until the room became
draft, and no more words about IT,
If she felt cross or tired, she made
no such delay, but seized an early OPP
portUnity 10 carry the war into faith
er's territory by heating the room a
little hotter than ii was before. This
was not accomplished without brisk
exchange of verbal missiles, some OF
which were very likely to hit 'Lishe
who, whatever his original temper,
had lived with his father long enough
TO acquire cowardly taste for peace.
zone thing about II. Amandy, you
and pa get lots of practice in rcparty,"
he said one day, when his suifcrings
as umpire had got the better of his
discretion.
The older Mr.. Catlin, besides posse ss-
ing some strategic skill. had sense
of humor which lent n secret zest
for him, even to those occasions when
Amanda outgcneraled him. She had
no such solace, but instead, n dumin-
eerlng conscience which forbade her
TO quarrel beyond a certain point with
her husbands father. When that point
was reached, she suffered in silence,
and being a clear-headed hot-tempered
woman, suffered acutely.
Old Mr.. Catlin was light sleeper.
wherein he had the advantage of
Amanda. who believed that no woman
was truly doing her duty by her fami-
ly unless she went to bed very tired
every night. She therefore slept heavi-
ly.
The old man discovered that by get
ting up toward midnight he could
open the check draft and get back TO
bed undetected. On occasions, there
fore, when he was inspired by par
ticular obstinacy, he pursued this
ingenious plan. One night, however
Amanda came forth from her bed
room, holding a lighted candle above
her head, and confronted him, TO his
discontinue.
What do you want. father? Is any
thing the matter?' she asked
II came down to get me drink
retorted father, with great presence of
mind and an even excessive dignity.
So these two midnight prowlcrs sur
veyed each other with mutual defiance
and suspicion. Amanda complained to
'Lishe of his fathers duplicity, but he
chuckled at ii with certain adm.ra-
tion and remarked in n not too sooth-
ing way, "Well, | shouldn't get up
nights to quarrel with him, il he is
stubborn"
Lishe's remonstrances always fol.
lowed the line of least resistance:
therefore he addressed them To Aman-
da, because she would pay heed to
them and his father would not.
On one subject Mr.. Catlin and Aman-
da were in full accord-Amanda'
house plants. She kept a good many
in a large bay window, ana the old
man sometimes informed outsiders
that he considered Amanda "a master
hand with plants They Were no or
dinary geranums and fuchsias that
Amanda tended. but lantanas, calcco.
larias, heliotropes. begonias and deli
cate ferns.
When visitors expressed an envious
admiration for them, father sat 10y and
listened with ill-concealed pride. When
they asked for cuttings. he produced
his sacred pocket-knife and carefully
sliced off the designated shoots him
self
Shears bruises EN-" he was wont
20 remark. oracularly.
If Amanda ropld bavc by,,,,t,. -.
self 10 appeal to him on the ground of
danger to the plants he would hare
yielded the pleasure of manipulating
the check-draft. but unhappily. Aman-
da bad as much stubborn pride as her
neighbors. II irked her To appeal
where she felt she had a right to de-
lnand.
In the fifth winter she began 10 feel
the strain OF these hostiltes. She said
sharper things TO father than she had
ever said before. repenting them after
wards In bitter self.rcproach. when
she had fits Of crying. and even scold-
ed 'Lishe. OH whom usually she Law
ished all the motherly tenderness of a
chldless woman. her husband began
20 look grave; and he finally consulted
the family doctor.
Il think father kind Of wears on
Anandy." said 'Lishe. in tentative
confidence.
The doctor pricked up his ears He
had served on the building committee
with Jacob Catlin when the town hall
was built. and Catlin had worn on
him. zoo.
Il think las very likely" he assent
ed. You'd Letter have her 20 away