Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-07-06
MRS. DOBBS' "WHIM.p

ie, their friends said That is about
the best people will say Of an elderly
pair If they are not intellectual OF
troublesome. Mr.. and Mrs. DObbs
were neither. Mr.. Dobbs was stout
and commonplace in appearance, and
did not fiirt with his neIghbor's wife, or
gamble in stocks, or live beyond his
income. He was hall-marked among
upright men, and was trustee
for half his friends chill
dren. No doubt he was a trife
heavy and prOsy at times, but these
are drawbacks frequently attendant
upon men of probity. He certainly
was nev implied by impulses or in
spiratio..- Of any sort either to do
wrong or to become witty or original.
Mr.. Dobbs was reputed a respect
able and virtuous matron for other
reasons. Imprimis, she had no taste
in dress; neither did she paint her face
or excite the envy and spite of her
female friends by identifying her house.
She was fond of a good DINNER Of
a solid English sort, and always
wore black silk or satin gowns.
Her caps were prepOsterous erectiOns
OF lace, with gilt or steel ornaments
attached; and when she went to the
theater she wore a red bernOuse. Tru-
ly this couple were left behind In the
race of extravaganza. frivOlity and &C.
centricity. Fashionable folks would
have nothing to say to them; those
who did consider them worth cultivat-
ing explained their status as good,
worthy people," with a compassion
ate shrug OF smile.
Mr.. Dobbs was Something in the
city" and his big Office and
many clerks brought in some
thing more than a comfortable in
come. Yet he made no parade of
wealth and kept household ACCOUNTS
strictly. Every evening he returned
home punctually by the 8 O. clock train
from Waterloo, carrying his fish bas-
ket with hIm. Fish was cheaper and
better in the city than at Clapham,
Rnd Mrs. DObbs was particularly fond
OF fish. The worthy Josiah would
not have spoiled her dinner for the
season, and her red mullet and white
bait. all IL due turn, OF the best. By
this you will understand that
Mr.. Dobbs was devoted and
domestic. Yet there were thOrns
amid the roses of his cOnjugal
paradise. Mrs. DOhOs was now and
again beset by spirits Of unrest and
discomfort, and her whims at inter
walls caused dear, steady-gOlng Josiah
much Inconvenience. There were no
children at Clarence Villa; and per
hapS for this reason Mrs. DObbS had
more leisure for complaint. She prac-
ticed the art OF mUrnuring with as
steady a persistence as a prima donna
her scales. JOSIAH suffered her dis
contents with more than the ordinary
patience of an exemplary husband.
As years went on Josiah DhilOsOphi-
cally gave up wishing for an heir,
seeing his Dorothy had grown
pOrtly and middle aged. He
subscribed largely to the vari-
Gus charities not having a legitimate
outlet for his human kindness. A
philOprOgenitive organ impelled him
toward children's hospitals. Why,
said he, should not his generation
benefit instead of they that were to
come after?
Mrs. DObbs did not however, view
such matters with eouanimity See
ing the undue and unWelcOme number
of olive branches round about other
peoples tables, she resented natures
cruelty to herself. She, therefore,
frOWned persistently on JOsiah's
philanthrOpic schemes for other
peoples children. His benevolence
coward orphans, foundlings and waits
e.-le INC
cause of argument and modification
60 her. She did not suffer any loss.
personally, from these charitable
deeds. Not a wish remained migrant
ed, and checks were Forthcoming with
cheerful readiness when required. She
had her carriage, her servants, her
milliners as she listed. Josiah erected
q miniature Cryst Palace in his gar
den because she wished to have bana-
mas growing. He took her to Egypt
one Winter, and nearly died Of sea-
sickness by the way, because she had
been reading Eastern rOmances and
gearned for Oriental glitter. Nothing
that money could obtain was denied
her-Oniy she had no children.
or a long time Mrs DObbs had
displayed no extraordinary caprice.
Josiah was sailing aTongIn wonderfully
smooth matrimonial waters. But
the lady's frequent absence of mind
and cOntemplative mein might have
convinced a more sophisticated man
that mischief was brewing. In truth
Mrs. DObbs was slowly Matching a
scheme which she felt sure would run
counter to JOsIah's wishes. This lent
an additional zest to her plan. She
considered it a retributive scheme. She
would fight Josiah on his own ground
with his iavOrite weapon Of benev-
olencs.
''I'n going TO adopt child. Josiah.
Now it's no use your cOntradicting