The Princeton union., 1921-07-07
The Household
Tyant
By MURIEL BLAIR

(e. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)
1--WE stood it for thiry years and l
reckon l can last out, now I've got so
far" was the homely way in which
Ezra Dcckrill put it.
'There's no need," insisted his old
time friend, Greg Parsons. "Be sensi-
Bile, Ezra, and take an old comrades
advice. Melinda Dockrill, your wife,
is the very best housekeeper in Carl
ton, and nobody disputes it. She
tends her house and minds her own
business SO far as her neighbors are
concerned, but she has been hard,
terribly hard on you.''
There was good deal of sense and
reason to what both men said, and
despite Ezra's weak explanations
their point of view was practically
identical. Ezra was beginning to get
the reputation of being henpecked, and
his excellent wife, excellent in some
ways-had degenerated into a scold.
Melinda Dockrill was fast growing
into household tyrant. When Walter
Maywen came courting their pretty
daughter, Flora, She opposed the
match tooth and nail. When just
now some old Spanish American war
comrades of Ezra wanted him to 60
over to Pelham to a reunion, she hid
his old uniform, kept him awake two
nights lecturing him on the perni-
ciousness of wasting his time, and
fatty refused to allow him to even
march to the depot with his friends.
That might have been we'll enough,
for, as said before, Ezra was meek,
patient and a self-sacrificing sort of
man. Right on top of this decision
of the masterful Melinda, however,
there was scene in the household
that appealed to another side of
Ezra's nature. Young Maywell had
come to Mrs. Dockrill in a frank,
manly way to ask permission to marry
Flora. She had put her husband aside
in the discussion without even con-
sulting him. The result was that poor
Walter went aboiit town, detected
reproach to the kind-souled Ezra and
poor Flora mourned till all the happi-
ness seemed gone out of her life..-
That evening Ezra came down to the
Parsons home.
''See here, Greg" he said, 1--WE were
talking about Melinda today"
"Quite right, Ezra: what about it?"
''Why, just this-1ve been thinking
over what you said"
~,
sponded Parsons.
81 don't care for myself. I can
stand Melinda's peculiarities. That
poor girl of mine, though, and young
Maywell-she's set them grieving their
hearts away with her stubborn ways
and it isn't right, it isn't right" and
Ezra broke down. l-..,~,.-,...
Ezra" said Parsons very seriously,
IF y6u will follow out my directions
I'll guarantee to cure your wife of
her tantrums in week"
"Greg,," responded Ezra, grasping
the hand of his old-time friend fer
wildly, "you do just that and I'll give
you those old war relics of mine
you've coveted so long. What am /
to do to help you?"
If Ezra Dockrill was mysti6ed as
to the plan of his friend, his erratic
helpmeet had clear Mysteries when she
found he had defied her authority and
had gone to the reunion. She rushed
down to the Parsons home, enraged,
then anxious and finally alarmed.
"I've got a sort of doleful story to
tell you, Melinda said her old friend.
'I'm afraid Ezra has broken the
traces. It's like horse checked up
too high. Give him the chance and
the critter'll sprint
"Why, what do you mean? Surely
nothing serious has happened to
Ezra ?" cried Mrs. Dockrill, a quick
catch in her voice.
"It's the warlike spirit, you see,
Melinda" explained Mr.. Parsons.
Everyone is talking about the Mexi-
can war. Why, there were lots of the
old soldiers just wild to enlist. Ezra
is brave man. The war spirit got
him. They were recruiting at Pei
udIu. IL uC . JOAACu LAC AMY o60AA
he'll make his mark"
It was there that Mrs. DOckrill
broke down. ''Tell you now" observed
the specious Parsons, II might have
a little influence with the adjutant
general, and Ezra, too, if he really has
enlisted. You've got to promise conces-
sion His heart is set on Flora and
young Maywell-"
''rll agree! I'll agree!" interrupt
ed Mrs. Dockrill vehemently. "Only
get my dear husband back and he'll
never have to complain Of me again."
She passed a sleepless night. When
that precious old schemer, Parsons,
presented her husband the next day
at noon. Melinda threw her arms
about the neck of her prodigal spouse,
and Parsons sneaked away feeling
quite mean for giving so hard a les
son to deserving though at times
somewhat contentious woman.