Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-08-08
REVOLT OF THE

Mr.. Madax sat before his desk in a
most despondent attitude, his head in
his hands, and his hands i'll his hair.
Things were going badly in the city,
as, alas! they often do Mr.. Madax was
alone in his Office in Old Gold alley.
He wanted time to think and had given
orders that he was not to be. disturbed.
All the thinking he appeared to be able
to do did not seem to help matters, SO
at last he pulled himself together and
paced up and down the room. Finally
he stopped and said to himself: ''That
seems the only thing to do. shall con-
suit with my wife. I wish she came
home more frequently, and then we
could talk over these matters p"
He seized a telegraph blank and
wrote: "Mrs John Madax, 30 Bullion
court, city. Can you run over to Old
Gold alley for a few minutes? wish to
consult you on business. Madax"
He rang the bell for telegraph boy
and sent the message, then, pacing up
and down his room again, waited for
his wife to appear. Instead there came
a prompt answer, which he tore open
and read feverishly: "Sorry I can't
come this forenoon. Too busy. Call on
me at O'Clock, and l will take you to
the club, where we can lunch and have
a quiet talk Joan Madax."
The worried man consulted his watch.
1t was not yet II o'clock. 1t would be
more than two hours before he could see
his wife. He sat down at his desk and
devoted himself for those two hours to
what business there was i'll hand. He
brushed himself up bit, took his walk
ing stick and drove i'll hanson to his
wife's office on Bullion court. After
having sent in his name neat little
girl showed him into room and told
him that Mrs. Madax would be with
him presently.
She was sorry to keep him waiting,
but she sent copy of The Sketch for
him to look over during the interval.
The Sketch was a paper started in the
nineteenth century and was at that time
considered to be rather in advance of
the other slow going weeklies. Now,
however, it was thought to be the cor
rect paper for man to read, although
the women paid little attention to it.
In the reception room two or three other
men were waiting, nursing their hats.
Presently the Office girl came in and
told them all, except Madax, that Mrs.
Madax couldn't possibly see them until
later in the day, as she had an appoint
.ment, and would they be good enough
to call about o'clock. So the men took
their departure, and Madax was left
alone with his paper, although his wife
entered very soon after. She was tall
woman, with fine, clear cut, decided
features. AS far as the upper part of
her was concerned, she was dressed al
most like man. She were somewhat
glaring necktie and a standup collar.
Her hair was cut short and parted at
the side, while the hair of her husband,
dark and streaked with gray, seemed to
part naturally in the middle The neat
tailor made skirt which Mrs. Madax
wore had pockets at each side, high up
and very similar in cut to a mans pock-
cts. Her right hand was thr1st into one
of these pockets, and she j some
coins and keys as she enter room
where her husband was waiting
"Well, John," she cried, "excuse me
for keeping you, but we have had very
busy morning. However, if you are
ready now, I am. We will go to the
Pine Ear club and have lunch. - She
approached her husband as she spoke
and patted him with some affection on
the shoulder. He looked up at her and
smiled. Somehow her influence had q
soothing, protective air about it, which
made the man feel that he was not bat
tling with the world alone.
J One Of the numerous girl clerks came
in with a long ulster, which Mrs Ma
dax put On, thrusting one hand in the
armhole and then the other, while the
girl held the garment by the collar.
When Mrs. Madax had buttoned up the
ulster and put jaunty round hard hat
on her head, she looked more like man
than ever, and Madax himself seemed
almost effeminate beside her
''Is my brougham at the door?" she
asked the girl.
Eyes, madam.
Come along, John; we have no time
to lose," said Mrs Madax decidedly,
and leading the way she opened the
carriage door, whereupon he stepped in
side.
''To the Pine Ear club said the
lady to the coachman.
She took her seat beside her husband,
and the carriage drove off toward the
west end. In short time it drew up
before a palatial building standing
where the Metropole once stood. This,
as every one knows, is the Pine Ear
club, the sumptuous resort of women
engaged in business in the city 1t is
higher priced than the Carlton or Re-
form, but is much more luxurious than
either of these old fashioned men clubs.
''Call for me at half past g." said the
lady to her coachman.
The stately doors of the club were
opened by two girl porters, and the cou-
pie entered. The lady wrote her hus-
bands name in a book which was on a
stand in the hall, and together they en-
tered the large dining room, where they
took their places at one of the small ta-
bles set for two near one of the large
front windows.
1--WE will take the regular club
lunch, she said to one of the walters.
"And bring bottle of 's4 champagne
"a Large bottle.''