The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-08-26

~ washing t b e
dishes in the kitchen and singing at
her work. The twins, snugly tucked
IN their little cradles. were smiling in
their sleep. Mr.. Toodles was quietly
reading his paper by the sitting-room
table. The light shone softly on his
meek and benevolent face and illu-
minated the full moon on the top OF
his small but sensible head. Mrs
Toodlcs was knitting in her favor
ite rocking chair by tie cheerful crate
FIRE.
Altogether l. was picture of per-
feet bliss and domestic happiness, too
rarely seen in tnis world of strife and
trouble.
But something was on Mrs. Toodles'
mind. She allowed the kitten to play
witt; the ball OF yarn dropped from her
capaciors lap without once stamping
her substantial feet and crying scat. :"
Finally she laid her long, glisteuing
knitting needles down and aimed her
penetrating spcctacles straight at her
diminutive husband who. without see
ing it. felt the influence Of the steady
glare end moved Uneasi!y in cCnse-
quence.
"AIr. Tocdles!' at last she began, q
am going to take boardcrs and make
money"
"Are you, roy dear?" he answered,
looking sweetIy at her strong and
rather masculine features, where are
you going to take them?"
Right here N this house ard right
away" she said. decidedly. "Mrs.
Brown does, and she's bought herself
already a sealskin sack, a new piano
and lots OF lovely furniture out of the
profits. You always say you can't
afford those things, but I know better.
Now I've made my mind up to earn
them myself, and don't you dare op-
pose it. This house viii be palace
before I'm through"
Mr. Toodles certainly looked as if
he wouldn't dare oppose anything,
however impracticable or foolish, his
too much better half proposed, q.
least not openly. His matrimonial
experience had taught him different.
Still, somehow, he generally managed
TO have his way in domestic affairs,
and, at the same time, make his strong
minded and weighty wife imagine
that she had hers.
This, maybe, was sharp practice on
his part, but, being a lawyer, his con-
science never trou bled him.
How many boarders will the twins
leave you time to work for, nv dear"
he gently asked, without surprise or
losing the place ne was reading, ''and
what rooms can you give them?"
''TIl get two to start with and
give them your room and put you
up there, you say, and think the view
IS charming, and as for the twins, Mr..
ToOdles, you'll be delighted to hold
them when I'm busy, of course.
land it won't cost q cent extra for
the table, either. What feeds four will
feed more when do the buying and
serving. o. 1t takes a woman to man
age those things And then you'll have
company to talk with at homo, so you
won't have to visit the 'clpb'-as you
call it"
"Will your boarders smoke pipes. my
dear. or cigarettes in our sitting room
evenings? You can hardly bear good
cigar now, you know, and then the
odor permeating the house might ossify
the twins and lead them to love cigar
cites, too"
"Ny boarders will not smoke if don't
like it-any more than you, Mr..
Toodles," snapped the good lady.
But you can't prevent them smoking
in their room, my dear, and that is next
to yOUrs-and the twins"
Mrs. Toodles made no reply for
awhile, but her woman's mind was
shaken bit
They can smoke with their heads
out of 4 window. Maybe they won't
use the vile weed at ali. Every man
isn't a chimnzy, putting as if ton of
soft coal was burning inside of him, "
she vehementlS replied.
NO, indeed, my dear" blandly an
swered the husband, who loved cigar
next to his wife, ''but who'll let the
bosrders in at night if they are out
past our bedtime? You know you
wouldn't want TO trust strangers with
latch key to our home"
We'll, Mr.. Toodles, if you amt man
enough to sit up for them I'll let them
n myself, sir"
Suppose, my dear" spoke the mild
tempered man, they should come home
slightly hilarious from liquor and tried
70 kiss you"
Mrs It's spectacles blazed furiously
at the unmoved and apparently sincere
countenance Of her little lord and mas
ter.
Then with an impressive sweep OF
her ponderous right hand she ex-
claimed: ''Mr. Toodies. what do you
mean? 1 think can take entire care
of myself under those circumstances as
you. sir, know By experience. Ha, I'd
like to see a man attempt nonsense
with me. You amt jealous already. l
hope"
20, certainly not, ny dear" smiled
Mr.. T, I'm only too proud VIXEN your
charms are admired by the sterner sex.
The fact is, my darling, ike your
plan so much that I'll get boarder for
you tomorrow.
The angry cloud on Mrs. Toodles'
face changed to the brightest sunshine.
spoken hlse true, good. loving hus-
band you are, a" she shouted IN her ten
derest tones, land now, dear Timothy,
let's 60 TO bed for must be up at day
light, you know, to prepare for the
boarder."
The next morning Mr.. Toodles called
ION large, reliable friend.
.'Jsck!' he said. when they were
alone, 81 want you to Ell your trunk
with bricks and come with 1t to
my house and play boarder for weei..