St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-12-17
FOR THE HOME.
SICKNESS IN BowsER's FAMILY

band could be- And, like any other
husband, he stands and surveys her
for moment and then bluntlv says
Il expected it Finally got fat
down, eh ~
Its nothing" she family replies.
''Oh it isn't Nothing for a wife
to flop down and upset the whole
house, I suppose! Well, I've been
looking for it the last three months,
and so I'm not much surprised.
Mrs. Bowser, it's a wonder to me
that you or any other woman in New
York is out of her coffin"
It's only-only headache, dear. "
Yes, only headache; but what
do headaches lead to? If you are
not dead woman before Saturday
night you may consider yourself
lucky. Didn't l warn you not to sit
in a draft, not to wear thin shoes,
not to eat too much in warm wealth
err? Little good it does to talk to a
woman"
You can't help ailing occasion
ally" she replied, as she got up to
wet the bandage around her head.
Mrs. Bowser, look at mel he
said, as he struck an attitude and
held one hand aloft. when am
ever ailing? When do you hear me
complain? Never! And why is it !?
Because, Mrs. Bowser-because l
don't cram my stomach with water
melon, buttermilk, gumdrops, Gus
tard pie. sweet cake, ginger ale, and
all that! Because don't go around
with my feet sopping welt Because
know enough to come in when it
rains! Because 1 exercise a little
common sense in taking care of my
selfr'
Your dinner is ready"
And I am ready for dinner. A
healthy, happy person is always
ready for his meals. You won't try
to get up, l SUPPOSE"
Not now"
well, you have only yourself to
blame. You may learn in time, but
/ doubt it. I'd like to find one wom
an with about two ounces of horse
sense in her head before l die but |
don't expect to do it. Well, it can't
be helped, l suppose. The Lord
made you that way, and it's no use
to argue"
Mr. Bowser eats his dinner, smokes
Ills Cigar anu anu WHISTLES otS III
the slightest noise didn't go through
her aching head like a bullet. 1t
never occurs to him to fan her, wet
the bandage or ask if she can't sup a
cup Of tea 1t does occur to him,
however, to say, about bedtime:
I'm sorry, of course, but then you
must have more sense. I'll go up to
bed and you can come when you get
ready. If you are going to kick
around much, you'd better sleep in
the spare room"
Now and then the tables are turn
ed. Mr.. Bowser comes home to
lunch, dragging his legs after him
and looking pale and scared.
whats the matter?" asked Mrs.
Bowser, as soon as he steps into the
house
Got a sore throat and l feel fever
ish. IL think I'm going to be sick !"
She doesn't call out that it's just
as she expected and declare that no
husband in New York has sense
enough to look out for his health.
She knows he was out in draft in
his shirt sleeves, but she doesn't even
mention it. On the contrary, she re-
marks:
Try and eat little something
and then lie down You'd better
gargle your throat and then tie it
up"
DO you-you think its anything
serious p he whispers, as he grows
paler.
Il hope not, but it's best to be on
the safe side. You are subject
1-O,, anI al
meningitis begins just this way"
Il believe I'm going to die gasps
Mr. Bowser, and he grows SO weak
that she has to take off his coat and
vest and get him on the lounge.
Everything about the house is order
ed to go on tiptOe, and even the cat
is put out and the clock stopped.
After his throat has been tied up,
his shoes taken off and quilt thrown
over him Mr. Bowser plaintively in
quires;
Don't you think you'd better
send for doctor?"
Not just yet, dear. l don't think
it's very serious"
Mrs. Bowser, l believe I'm al
ready struck with death "
NONSENSE You've got little in
flammation of the tonsils."
I've felt for some days as if a
great calamity hung over this house
hold Hadn't we better have two
doctors ~
LUST try and get to sleep, Mr..
Bowser, and I'll warrant you'll feel
better by night
All how l suffer- he groans.
You may be a widow before the
week is out hope you will always
be kind to our child. l have tried to
be a good husband, and-and' -
Mrs. Bowser lays her head on his
forehead tenderly, and the tears come
to his eyes and he suddenly becomes
great big BOBBY. She has to hold
his hand to get him to sleep, and