The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-07-25
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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?"
sob, you plum fool Well, I amt
been merried ten years fur nothin'.
Do you s'pose I'd resk the happiness
of our home by actin as if I want
satisfied with my womenfoll<'s talk?
No, sir! | always act as if I liked
nuthin' better than hearin' the sort
of truck they tell me-didn't care
nuthn' tall bout talllin' to a man
fact is, a man would jest bout turn
my stomach! Say, does your wife act
happy?"
Jim hung his head
$40 tell the truth" he said, humbly,
81 amt made much of an out at bein'
merried man. | amt a drinllin' fell
Ter, as you know, but my wife's talllin'
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
a family of mother and sister and
marry another of ssters-in-law TO
learn you sense pretty quick. But you
take my advice-go home and ask
wore wife bout how much that baby
cried and if the stove has kept on
smokin' and if that want percal MI
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 goiE'
back 10 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't
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 10
have hard luck"
"We'ye jest got TO put up with il,
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 Hcncry'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 wonderinglN.
When the meal was over he said hes
itatingly that he would like to see
Dolly in the front room for a moment.
"Got her a ring" surmised Adelina,
and wants her to set the day,
mabbe," chimed in Jane.
Bill listened with 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-
~ into the kitchen. banging the door
behind her.
Thank Goodness" she said with
vim I'm rid of him"
rid of IIenery?" gasped Bill. "Aint
yer goin' to take him?"
THAT | amt" said Dolly, her checks
flaming and her eyes filing with
tears THE no-count impudcut fcller. '.
81 thought you liked him" said Bill
'Well, didn't. Oh. yes, did sortcr,
Brother Bill"
The girl dropped down by him and
took his hand with a sudden touch OF
tenderness.
II was sorter taken with him" She
! admitted 'but | knew all the time he
was no count and that it was dread
full hard on YOU
"You amt turnin' him off fur my
salic?" 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 here
and live with US
"You are the unselfshest man |
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 'tentione 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'9
turned ont so. Say, will You tell the
rest I've sent him otT?"
"Of course | 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.