Year: 1863

woman. with clear hazel eyes, and dar


brown hairs faithful loving woman


frugal and industrious, and possessing
q good share Of firmnees and decision
The house was clean, and IN order, ib


shed was pattern Of neatness; tn


barn was well kept; the cows and pi q


were fat and sleek; the orchard wa


trim; and the farm was productive
and a careful observer who had watch
ed the doings Of fifteen years. would
have said that Sarah Poison was the
lgenius xho presided over ell this order
and thrift.


Job Poison reached his home, and
hung bis hat upon the back Of q
chair. and sat down BY the stove.


Job said his wife without stopping
her needle. 'as soon IS you get warm
I guess you'd better fx our front door
step. The plank on the lower step is
loose. And after dinner would be a
good time to secure the beam over the
tie-up. You had better do it before
the stanchions get loose. The cattle
can work them little now. A stich
in time saves nine. you know.


'I'll look out for my barn. said Job,
placing rather an undue emphasis upon
the my.


His wife's needle fairly stopped. and
a look Of curious surprise erept over
her face. What did the man. mean.


But Job.' she suggested kindly.
have you noticed that the beam is
loose?' ."r.G .


This rather staggered Job Poison;
but he quickly recovered himself. and
placed his right foot little more crm-
ly upon the floor.


Sarah he said, Il vii! lock out
for my own affairs. If you will attend
to your duties here in the house, you
will do enough


JOB Poison. what do you mesn'


L mean this replied Job. speaking
quickly and snappingly. He hadn't
the strength to speak slowly and stern
ly. l mean this. I'll be master Of
my own affairs. don't need ruler;
and what's more, l don't intend to
have onel'


Like all men who are venturing be-
yond their depth, Job Poison was
forced to make Hp iu bitterness what
he lacked in power.


At first his wife was astounded; but
when she saw that he kept his eyes up.
on the fire, not daring to raise them
toward her; and when she saw that his
teeth were closely shut, and bis head
cooked over upon one side. the truth
flashed upon her. She was g woman
Of quick, keen perception. and she
knew that he had been down to the
store, and she knew who we're 10 the
habit Of congregating there. 1t was
just as plain to her perception, as
though she had heard Sam Shute and
Tom Barnham ventilating their stores
Of domestic philosophy.


'Job.' she inquired very quietly,
what are my duties?'


Now Job had put his foot into it;
and be must not back down. He was
not diplomat. and he answered blunt
ly and squarely;


Your duty is to obey your husband;
and, he added fixing himself firmly in
his seat, / hope you will do it,


DO you mean that you are going
to turn over a new leaf in your fami-
ly?' inquired Mrs. Poison,


That's it exactly cried Job
You've hit it the first time


And you are to be masterf'


JAM ~- D.. ....


'And hereafter you want none Of my
suggestions7' s- .


Hereafter l shall pay such attention
to your suggestions as think they
merit


Mrs. Poison resumed her sewing.


Poor, dear little mani She did not
say this aloud; but she thought it
to herself. A quiet smile stole over
her pretty face. and she pstted her
trim loot upon the floor. She had not
the least thonght Of being angry with
her husband--not the least in the
world. She knew his weakness; and
she knew that something had been
thorning him.


Job she said, after she had re.
hected few moments. Il am your
wife. You are q man, while I am on
ly g woman. 1t is right that you
should command. I am your most
humble servant. Give me your orders
as you please; but | beg you to treat
me kindly


And then. with sober face and
bended head, Sarah pursued her
work.


What in the world was Job Poison
to say now9 He had never heard his
wife speak SO sadly and solemnly be-
fore. He sat upon nettles. He got
up and went to the closet; be tried to
whistle; and finally he left the house.
He went TO the barn, and examined the |
beam over the tie-up. 1t was loose, and
he saw at once that it ought to be fixed;
would not do it then-it would look to
much like being governed by his wife.
By and by he went around and looked |
at the steps at the front door. They
certainly needed fixing but be would
not do the job until after dinner. His
wife had told him that he had better
do it before dinner. II be put it off
till afternoon, that wonld show that he |
was not controlled by bis wife.


For an hour and 4 half Job Poison