The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-03-22

At iedst I'd my wire. he eJocus
lated scornfully. 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 a year?'
it?"
."Oh, you plum fool! Well, nin't
been merried ten years fur nothin'.
Do you s'pose Id resk the happiness
of our home by actin as II i want
satisfied with my womenfolk's talk?
No. sir! ! always act as IL l liked
nuthin' better than hearin' the sort
of truck they tell me-didn't caro-
nuthin' tall bout talSin' to man
fact is, a man would jest bout turn
my stomach! Say, does your wife act
happy"
Jim hung his head
'To tell the truth" he said. humbly
81 amt made much Of an out at helm
| n 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
~. "Well, you amt so much to blame,
fur you are young and you didn't have
family of mother and sister and
marry another of sisters-in-law 10
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 il that want percal Miz
Misenborg had on last Sunday and il
those new folks Jest moved i'm don't
act mighty queer-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 10
the shop, unless il was bout come
| body she known. G'night. and don't
you FORGET that talk bout Henery
was Jest b, tween YOU and me"
They parted at the corner and Bill.
whistling gayly, Went down the steps
to his CHEEKY home. Maria opened tho
door for him, whispering as she did
1t, "Henery is here again for supper"
"You don't say" grumbled Bill.
suppressing his pleasure. "Well, we 10
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 AT
him time and again wonderinglv.
When the meal was over he said hes.
itatingly that he would like to sea
Dolly in the front room for moment.
SCOT her ring" surmised Adeline.
And wants her 10 set the day,
mabbe." chimed in Jane.
Bill listened with n 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 ~ho came hasti-
ly into the kitchen, banging the door
behind her
"Thank Goodness she said with
vim, I'm rid Of him"
| Grid of Henery?" gasped Bill. "Ain't
yer goin' 10 take him?"
"That I amt" said Dolly. her checks
| 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
4 tart- =. L.pI ,xtff1 u.t11a,. ~
tenderness.
81 was sorter taken with him." she
admitted. "but | knew all the time hc
was no count and that il was dread-
full hard on You"
"You amt turnin' him off fur my
sake?" asked Bill eagerly. "Oh. yor
amt no need TO do that. Doll. Hero,
I'll run call him back. Why. I should
like to have him come right in here
and live with us"
"You are the unselfshest man
ever saw" cried Dolly. but il amt
for you I'm dom il. 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 ;
IL was all mistake. anyhow. and
it's jest pure luck for you that it,
turned out so. Say. will you tell tho
rest I've sent him OFF,"
'Of course l WILL" 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 a fine piece OF luck for you,
Bill" they said. land you deserve il.
Bill. You'd borne well the thought OF
havin' him TO look out for. too"
Had ~" said Bill. meekly. He was
modest man in his estimate of his
own deserts and he added with n sigh.
swell, mebbc I did deserve this luck"
"We've certainly got good 'nough
sized family now" unused Maria.
"Oh. yes" said Bill, six women is
quite family. We couldn't have got