The Red Cloud chief., 1913-07-03
GRACE AND HENRY
The Whole Village Knew They
Were in Love When They
Married.
BY MAUDE J. PERKINS.


Davisburg would have sworn to II.
why. | saw 'em hold hands over
an hour. and they did not let go once
to scratch their noses. though | know
they itched," said little Mrs. watkins.
And right with me looking on.
added Mrs. Flint he told her that II
she caught the mumps and died he'd
commit suicide!"
No, there could be no question of
their loving, and 1t seemed a safe
thing to predict happy future for
them. Henry was a carpenter. earn
ing good wages. and though Grace
knew little about housework. she was
ambitious to learn.
What brought the clouds after few
few months? Isn't II odd that lovers
have no philosophy about them?
They do not look for any change as
time passes. There will be no cross
words or falling OF in demonstrations
Of affection. Behold them! Henry
smashes his thumb with the hammer
one day, and he goes home thinking
what a fool he was to hit his thuntb
instead Of the nail. He found his wife
In bed with a headache. She was
vexed about 1t. Why hadn't the all
ment come to some one else! Why
wasn't Henry at home to put wet
cloth on her forehead and utter words
of sympathy?
"You are an awfully careless man"
she said as he entered the house 0Old-
Ing his bruised and bleeding thumb.
IF you hadn't got your feet wet or
something you wouldn't have a head.
ache" was the reply.
These were the first cross words
and Queerly enough each one was rath-
er glad Of It. II was change from
the honeysuckle program. Grace had
never thought that Henry could strike
his thumb with hammer, and II any
one had told Henry that Grace would
ever have a headache. he would have
opened his eyes very wide. There was
a whole month in which he could do
no work. The wife whined over the
loss of income just as she wanted II
that her husband was content to loaf
There had been nothing, however
that few kisses and kind words
could not have dispelled had the out
siders kept outside, but they didn't
Their gossip and criticisms and ad
| vice kept the pot boiling until each
of the principals got the idea that he
ly to blame.
Grace told the whole village tina,
Henry boxed her ears.
Henry told the whole village tina,
her cooking made him Ill, and that
her temper had become 30 Satanic
that he was really afraid to sleep In
the house.
Grace warned the neighbors that ii
she was found chopped up with the
AK some morning to see that Henry
was promptly and properly hung as
high as Mr.. Haman or Captain Kidd
1t was more exciting than a dos
fight for a time. and there was talk
that boom In real estate would fol
low. Then the affair began to weary
folks. and there was talk that the law
ought to be invoked Such a dog.and
cat couple ought to be made to get g
divorce. Such pickering must lead
to murder after awhile. II was Dea
con Frazer who suggested a remedy
He was a good man, though the rem
edy he brought forward was rather
heroic for churchman. An anony
nous letter was received by the quar-
reling couple It was to the effect
that II they did not at cease cease
their pickering or apply for a divorce
something very unpleasant would hap
pen to them.
You can see what you have done!
said the husband after reading hi.
letter.
And you can see what you have
DONE" was retorted.
Nothing can happen to me. Every
body knows where the blame rests"
Surely they do and you can't iinc
person who does not pity me. tel
you. Henry Walters. you have reached
the limit. and that letter means tai
and feathers for you!"
1t means ducking In the rivel
for you, and don't you forget it,"
There was less quarreling for q
week, and then 1t broke out again
Then came second anonymous let
ter.
THE committee OF good order will
soon wait on you" was the threat
This is the second and last warning
1t will come prepared to deal with
your conduct as 1t deserves"
Tar and feathers for you,,' whis
pered the wife.
"A ducking for YOU" whispered thu
husband.
And don't expect any sympath,
from met"
And you needn't expect any sym
pathy from mel"
AS a matter OF fact, neither wa.
alarmed. II was village where Law
and order reigned. The minister an,
two or three others might call In tn,
evening, and read husband and wifi,