Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-06-07
MRS. BUTTERPATS CALL

MRS. BUTTERPATS CALL
How q Lucky Attack OF Chin,
Made All Things Right.
Little Mrs. Boerum, married at sew
enteen to a formal gentleman in tn,
white goods trade, with a vast idea O
his own Importance as a landed pro
prietOr, who inherited his place out o.
town from his grandfather, found one
or two things in her new home thai
were not comfortable.
Firstly, NO city servant would 60 out
to Peveril ON the Peak, because Of the
dearth of eligible beaux in that locality
and her domestic assistant was Maria,
a big young woman, who had stipulat.
ed that she was to be created respect.
full, and who considered herself great.
ly her lady's superior in intellect.
Secondly. Mrs. Butterpat had not
called on her, though she arrived in
March, and it was now June. At Pew
eril on the Peak ones social position
was established by a call from Mrs.
Butterpat. Goodness knows why.
There is no reason in such things; and
social distinction was Mrs. Boerum's
hobby. All good wives take their tone
of thought from their husbands, and
little Mrs. Boerum had done so natu-
rally. So though left quite to herself,
she might never have understood how
important this call was; under the tut
ton of her formal spouse she grew
morbid about it. and longed intensely
to see the Butterpat carriage drive up
to the gate, and Mrs. Butterpat, doubt
less in gorgeous satin and lace, wear
ing great diamonds in her ears, sail up
the path and hand her card to Maria.
The little woman kept herself dressed
for the occasion that never came, and
hardly dared leave the house lest she
should miss the honor, which grew
daily more improbable.
1t was q terrible modification; more
over her spouse perpetually 'nagged"
her on the subject.
lit must be your fault, some way,
my love-" he said one morning at
breakfast. II confidently expected
Mrs. Butterpat would call on you
amongst the first. The Boerums and
the Butterpats have been friends for
generations. You've said something
in your reckless way that has been
carried to her, or she'd have called on
my wife, as she always did on my
mother, though of course your family
IS not known in the neighborhood."
At this Mrs. Boerum grew angry;
remarked to Mr.. Boerum that she con-
sidered her folks quite as good as his,
and set the cream jug down with such
a whack that she Clipped bit off the
bottom. And then and there they had
the first quarrel of their matrimonial
life.
Mr.. Boerum went off to catch the
train for the city without kissing his
wife, and she went to her room to cry
and try to die, SO that he should find
her gone forever on bis return at night,
and repent in dust and ashes of his
cruelty to one he had called his angel
only few months before.
1t was not, however, quite so easy to
die at twenty, with a good constitution.
as broken-hearted bride might mag
Inc; and when her nose was red, her
eye-lids swollen shut, her upper lip
inflamed and thick, and all the crimp
Out of her hair, she sat up and gave
over the attempt, and listened to a |
rapid knocking on the door, which
came, as she guessed, from the knuckles
Of Maria, the girl who had undertaken
the light housework.
Come in!' she cried; and Maria |
"Pve such headache" said little
Mrs. Boerum, with handkerchief over |
her face.
"Yes'm." said Maria, sympathetic
ally. II knowed you would when l |
heard master answering you back this
If ever I'm misfortunate
enough to marry, my husband shan't
answer me back, that l know"
Perhaps you'd better confine your
,ef to your own affairs, Maria" said
Mrs. Boerum.
$50 l shall. if that's the thanks I get;
md don't you forget it. Mrs. Boerum,"
said Maria. "But what I came up
about was the washwoman. She amt
come, and it's one o'clock"
"Oh, dear! And l want my blue
nuslin" sighed Mrs. Boerum.
You needn't cover up your face
rom me, Mrs. Boerum," said Maria.
Il know jest how you look. Here, I'll
,ut some bay rum into the wash water,
md You battle your face good. How
Iuarrelsome men is, to be sure! Now,
hall I g for Peter Pink's aunt?
She washea Or shall wait until to-
/ ant hired to laundry, you
Inowp''
''Oh. wait until tomorrow" said
drs, Boerum.
Every well; and I'll make you cup|
# tea" said Maria. '.And don't you'll
worry, but let him do the apologizing.
'ut your hair up into crimps. and don't
ook forlorn tonight That's my adj
ice"
Mrs. BOerum took the advice.
She put up her hair in two long
-; ~, ~; ~ ~ ,,;no oo1 tbua o1doI much fo