The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-02
TEMPEST INDOORS.

In coy little cottage on the outskirts OF
town lived Ben Locke, capable caTpen-
ter. who had q pretty young wife and a
small boy. Benny. just beginning TO toddle,
For the most part they lived very happily
together, though folks did say when be
married saucy. flirting Molly MeLane that
no good would come of it.
But in spite of all this evil forecasting
Ben and his young wife got on amazingly
well.
Molly was very fond Of her handsome
husband. She married when times were
good and contentment reigned among the
laboring classes. But three years after
ward the Presidential campaign brought
about an agitation of certain questions In
which the wOrklngmen were deeply inter-
listed. There were meetings for a while
almost every night. Ben was always pres
ent and often addressed the assemblage.
The papers spoke Of him IS shrewd. intel
Iigent fellow. who had a career before him,
and Molly was proud and happy.
But one evening Mrs. Brown came in and
brought some stockings TO darn.
"Myl haven't you got your supper dishes
washed yet?" che exclaimed, casting her
lynx eyes toward the table with look that
said, "What laznessp'
"Oh, yes" replied Molly. smiling brightly.
THAT is for lunch. Ny husband doesn't
get home till late; the weather is often
bad, and he is tired and hungry. so / always
have bite of something ready for him when
Every nice, my dear! But don't see
how you can afford II. Such litter, too.
as it keeps the place In"
1T don't cost much" said Molly, quietly,
''and l don't mind the litter IL my husband
likes it."
where's Benz" said Mrs. Brown, pres
emily.
woIkmen have parade IN their sleeves and
Hump! The mend be a good sight
better of if they'd let them politics alone.
For my part, cans see the good it does q
man to be neglectin' his family and runnin'
after them unions as they call EN-"
'Ben doesn't neglect me- said Molly.
flushing slightly. Il am proud to have him
attend the meetings.
more fool you! You must have stupid
time of it here alone evenings. 1t is shame,
Molly, for girl like you, that's been raised
proper and always did have good time"
81 am perfectly well satisfied, Mrs.
Brown" she answered quickly.
''Of course you are! l hope you are a
good wife. Molly. Therei Put that baby
to bed. Don't drag your life out with him. f"
HE isn't very heavy. He sleeps through
the day, and 1 always keep him up till his
father comes. 1t is the only time we see
each other. when Ben comes home at
"Mercyl What are you thinking OFF You
'Oh, guess notp' said Molly. laying him
down on a rug so that his head rested against
shaggy dog who dozed at her side.
by, but you have changed, MollyP ex-
claimed Mrs. Brown.
mot for the worse, / hope" Molly said
laughingly. ben says / am prettier than
when he married me-"
You are too pretty to be cooped up the
way you are. Why don't you 60 out more,
Molly? / never see you anywhere. The
wOrkingmen' 8 excursion comes off on Thurs
day. OF course you are going on that"
Indeed, | don't know, Mrs. Brown"
'Oh. you certainly must goi 1t is all
nonsense to say you can't afford 1t. I'll bet
you Ben spends on these meetings every
week as much money as would take you and
the baby to the seashore three times over.
1t ain't fair, l say. Our Annie's going, and
Amelie Foote and Sue Hopkins. and all the
girls you used to 60 with. Annie's got a
new pink lawn on purpose for it. Why,
since you was married-have you"
No" said Molly. regretfully.
"Well. I'd 60 If / was you. Just because
you are married amt no reason why you
shouldn't have no more fun. But there-l
am donel Ben will be home soon now, /
SUPPOSED"
Don't hurry. Mrs. Brown" said Molly,
family; but the mischief-maker took her.
self away at last and left the poison OF her
words to do Its work.
Could 1t be, Molly thought, when she was
lett alone, that she was becoming house
hold drudge, whom people piiied and talked
about? Was Ben neglecting her, after all
DID ne go to the meetings just because he
didn't care to stay at home?
1t was the evening of primary election
IN emit pa 10
came home considerably vexed.
Such nights work as this has been I"
he exclaimed. finging his cap in one corner
without stopping to give Molly her accus-
what's good for them"
He sank down ill-humoredly in his chair
and Molly handed him his pipe In silence.
'The idea," he went on. bringing down
bis fist on the table, "of putting in such a
man as O'Brien. Why, he can't readl That
is just the way they kill everything"
he emptied some tobacco in his tough
palm and pushed 1t sayagely into h is pipe.
In doing SO he gave the pitcher knock with
his elbow and flooded the table with water.
What's the matter with you tonight,
Benz cried Molly. Impatiently. you are
as cross as bear. Do be careful"
'.Irs enough to make fellow CROSS"
grumbled Ben, turning his back on the table
where his wife had spread tempting little
supper. IF that fellow 0'Brien is elected
we might as well give the thing up"
''Aren't you going to eat anything?" said
Molly, somewhat sharply. 81 wish you
would talk about something besides politics,
Ben. I'm sick of them. SIT up to the table.
Their, don't get your sleeve In the water.
Mrs. Hughes sent US 10 pitcher OF home
brewed ale. Will you have some?"
al don't care If ] do. Where's Benny?"
s.Tbere. on the rng. You were so excited
vou cOuIdn't see him when you came in"
"HeIlo, youpgsterY Ben cried, lifting the
boy on his lap.
Benny woke up fretfully as any baby
would.
sGraciousp said his father. putting him
down In disgust. "What temper!'
.He came by 1t honestly. said Molly,