Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-03-31
MIR. HURD'S HOLIDAY.

his better half as he stepped into the
sitting room and deposited several
brown paper bundles upon one of the
chairs.
Why, to be sure, she responded,
frightening up. Il had almost for
gotten that it will be a holiday.
What are you going to do to cele-
brate2 l suppose that we might all
go off somewhere for the day." she
concluded thoughtfully.
Mr. Hurd shook his head. There
are a number of things about the
house which l am intending to look
into tomorrow; it is only few days
ago that you were complaining that
was not more domestic, so now |
am going to turn over a new leaf. /
have come to the conclusion that we
are constantly paying out money to
incompetent workmen for little odd
jobs that I could just as well do my.
self Any man with brains and the
proper tools can turn off good many
dollars worth of work in his spare
moments" he went on as he removed
the paper wrappers from the several
bundles.
Are you sure that you are feeling
as well as usual, Theodore2" his wife
inquired, watching him in anxious as
tonishment while she recalled her
many fruitless efforts in the past to
awaken in him desire to help about
some slight household detail which
needed attention.
Never better, my dear" he an
swered, unrolling bottle of glue and
setting it upon the mantelpiece.
why do you asll2"
well, you see, Theodore, it is such
a new departure for you that-I-
couldn't help wondering if
We'll, if what?"
IF anything were the matter-if
you were quite yourself. You're not
feverish, are you, TheodoreY' she con-
cluded, running her fingers over his
forehead.
Mr.. Hurd smiled benignly as he
produced a small can of paint and
brush, which he sat down next to
the glue. LII tell you just how it
happened, my dear" he said. ION
my way down town l overlook Low
ering, and as we walked along to-
gether | asked him casually how he
was going to spend tomorrow. AS l
usually spend my holidays he re-
piled, in repairing and tinkering up
things about the house and doing my
best to freeze out the carpenter and
the plumber, besides sorting over old
papers and putting things to rights
that seldom have chance at. Aft
or left him l began to think how
many holidays l had wasted when !
might have been really accomplish
ing something and have had money
in my pocket to boot.
Il have reformed, my dear" he
concluded, opening the last of the pa
per bundles, as you will see tomor-
row. Here are half a dozen new tools
which find l need if am to do any
thing of the sort really well. Isn't
that a nice little hammer2 And you
remember that we hadn't any chisel
or screwdriver that man could prop
erly work with"
Mrs. Hurd gazed at her husband,
while tears rose to her eyes. Theo-
dore," she said huskily, you have
realized one of my dearest hopes.
With all your faults, you have al
ways been far ahead of other men,
and now-now | am almost afraid
you are too perfect. You're sure that
you do feel quite well and haven't |
any sharp pain darting through your
chestf'
The following morning Mr.. Hurd |
began to carry out his good resolu- |
tions Immediately after breakfast,
and when the younger children urged
him TO go for a walk he informed |
them that father had some very i'm
portaut work to do, but that they
might watch him if they liked.
Mrs. Hurd met him soon afterward
mounting the attic stairs, followed
by a procession of willing helpers.
Where are you going, Iheodoref
she inquired.
1T is a long time since we had the
tank cleaned out, he responded,
and l see no need of paying an in
competent and expensive plumber,
who brings another man to stand
around and look at him, for doing a
simple thing like that"
Very Wen, dear" his wife said
encouragingly, only are you sure
that you understand all about it"
of course / do, he replied trihe
Indignantly, and Mrs. Hurd, realizing
that she ought 10 have more conf
dence IN him than TO suggest such a
possibility, retired meekly to her own
ROOM where she quietly settled her
self 70 her embroidery. 1T is such a
comfort TO have Theodore interested