New Ulm review., 1901-03-27


handler than others to accommodate
them
I was frettin' over this very thing
and my mind was on the point of
'sfyin'," when who should call me but
Usher, in the new buildin'.
"Marthy!"
ssYes!''
SsCome here quick and decide where
you want that pantry put. I think
this is the best place for il" he con-
inued as / appeared.
'sThere?'
"Why not?" frowning.
''It's too near the chimney, and I'd
have to squeeze between the table and
the stove to get to it. Why can't it
be put over in that corner?"
sThey's goin' to be a window there"
Sand I don't want one there
sPm buildin' this house." he added,
hotly.
SIN livin' in it and doin' the WORK.
II / had supposed that you w snld
have arranged it in this way, I would
have kept the old one. I want the
window in the south for plants
ssIt's goin' to be where I decide" !"
were the last words I heard as I lett
the place and returned to my work.
Later, I heard his step in the dinin'-
room and turned my back to the door,
pretendin' to be busy, but it was real
" to hide my tear-stained eyes.
That's all the thanks I get for try
in to please you and spendin' my
hard-earned money to make you hap
py,' he began.
said nothin'.
sTt seems as though you grew
harder to please each day."
The angry blood rushed to my
cheeks as replied:
s'You asked my opinion about the
pantry, though why you did I can't
tell, since you won't allow me to plan
or help in any way
81 have no time for complaints" he
muttered and walked away.
For days the hammerin' kept up,
and the wheezy sound of the carpen-
ter's saw broke the stiffness of the
place, but I did not once look into the
new part.
fisher would direct the men in COM
mandin' tones to excite my curiosity,
but though I longed to know what
was goin' on in there, stayed in the
main buildin'.
Once he asked me which / liked
best for finishin' kitchen-ceilin' or
plaster? But only said:
'What does it matter which [ like?
Suit yourself, as you are buildin' this
house. When I thought it was for
me, took an interest in it, but since
I am only to live in it like a servant
might, I'll do my best to work with
out pay
"a penny saved is a penny earned" !"
he quoted kinder like he wanted to be
generous.
That's all right" says I, "still I
hain't never heard of any mans esti-
matin' his wife's salary at the end
of the year by this means; whatever
it is, it goes into his pocket, without
creditin' her with cent of it"
"By cat! Marthy Maria, how you
talk! It's awful hard on a man when
he's done it all for you.''
"All for me?" I sneered "Why,
Usher Whitby, you don't know what
you're sayin'. In the beginnin', I'll
| allow, you were thinkin' of my COM
| fort in plannin' this addition; but
since then you haven't let an idee ex-
| cept your own creep into it. IF I
submit and say it's all right, you'll
never know how unjust and selfish
you've been. There's just one thing
I didn't promise at the altar, and
| that is, not to have an opinion.
won't give it up even for you. I am
willin' to hear your arguments and be
persuaded, when they are better than
mine, but if / am to be a partner in
this home I've got to have my say
Then left him to ponder upon the
subject.
I was just wretched. If I must
submit, I would try to endure defeat
and be patient. Meanwhile, that
kitchen was nearly finished.
On all subjects except this one Lish-
er and me was perfectly docile and
natural, but it was actually danger
Gus to our peace to even mention
buildin'.
| Next week but one Mandy was com.
in and made up my mind to get rid
of this bitterness of heart and take
/ possession of the new part. I could
squeeze between the stove and the
table if necessary, and would not let
the cupboard be a constant reminder
of my menial or "no account posi-
ton in my own home.
If I had been frmer in maintainin'
my smaller rights, in our early mar
ried life, it would have been easier for
Usher to give up now; but, somehow,
I've always hated fuses.
Some folks say that God never
made useless thing. Perhaps when
T see Him ssface to face,'' He'll tell
me why He gave me such a great
mother heart and left me with empty
arms through life, with nothin' to
/ pet and spoil but Usher.