Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-24
lASUBURBAN EXPERIENCE
BY MRS. NJ. L. RAYNE.

Ii uA4No' uAs "A" 4S1AA H4@s
e'It isn't because am tired of our fat
that l want to live in the suburbs, but
the doctor says we both need change"
concluded Mrs. Perry Thorne, who was
making her first plea for country life.
Il agree with the doctor that we
need change Of one sort at least" an
severed her husband.
Don't be fippant, dear. I am in
dead earnest; and oh, Perry, know of
tsuch a dear cottage, one of row."
Il dislike rows" said Perry. Glow
ever, if you are determined to be a
suburbanite, and with the suburban
itcs stald, l may as well agree to go 1
will at once take lessons on the flying
ltrapeze SO that / may sometimes be
able to catch a train. | shall study to
acquire that dazed suburban stare that
people who eat their breakfasts and
dinners by lamplight assume, assisted
Iby catching their quota of sleep in
depots after they have missed the
train
"Oh, we won't be there long enough
for that" said his wife; ''and, Perry,
sthe air is just heavenly-so sustaining"
That's good, as we shall probably
he twelve miles or more from grocery
ltstore. Have you caught your house
-iyet, Maud?"
''Oh, yes. Mrs. Smead has one in the
same row, and she told me about ours
1T is the southwest corner house,
while hers is the southeast. Isn't it
,'strange, Perry, that have never been
introduced to Mr.. Smead? l wouldn't
believe there was any such person if l
had not seen him."
Nothing strange about it." growled
Perry, in what his wife called his ''bul1-
dog" voice. Il suppose you want to
know him because he has the reputa-
7~tion of being a lady killer"
Perry"
81 am told by fellows we both know
that he prides himself on his beauty"
II hate beauty-men," said Maud,
soothingly, they are all vain, conceit-
ed creatures. l never would marry
handsome man"
Perry mumbled something and went
away, first giving his wife permission
to do as she pleased about taking the
suburban house.
A week later both families were set
tied in the row which fronted a street
and railroad track, and was equi-dis-
taDt from two depots.
Mr.. Smead did not take as kindly to
the change as Perry Thorne did, but
1he told his wife, thoughtlessly, that
Aone good feature of suburban life was
having the Thornes for neighbors.
where have you ever met Mrs.
'iThorne?" asked his wife, suspiciously.
Don't know her from Adam, my
dear, but isn't she your friend, and
haven't heard her praises sung ever
since we were married2"
Him! We have calling acquaint-
lance, and now we are to be neighbors.
IL suppose you will meet But you are
=so susceptible, and she is so giddy, /
just know you will set people talking"
"Great Caesar, Laura, you give your
best friend great send off! suscep-
itible and she giddy? We must be made
for each otherp'
Mrs. Smead looked volumes at her
husband, but where is the man who
ldoes not enjoy being bone of conten-
ftion among his women-follx, and if
JSmead had special and particular
virtue, it was that of being good ma
itured.
Mrs. Smead. like the woman of his
tory, had two treasures-her sewing
4m2chine and her husband, and she
drew the line at lending either, and if
people wanted to call her selfish they
might. Fortified by this law she rented
the southwest cottage.
Saturday night The invisible bridge
spans the distance between the world
of labor and the world of rest. The
ftranquil air gave back no murmur of
the multitudinous voices that had filed
1T with cries of sorrow, anger, or glad
mess during the work days of the past
week. 1t was the ante-chamber of the
sabbath, a time so sacred to our an
>cestors that all work and all pleasure
was suspended. that the soul itself
dnight rest.
A great throng of people was hurry
ling homeward, and all bore the happy
Fburdens of Saturday night-new shoes
TOR the little burden-bearers, new
bonnet for mother, the Sunday dinner
and among them Perry Thorne and
Amos Smead, who had struck up a
sneighborly acquaintance, and were
snow fastening to the same train, going
Aout to their suburban homes for their
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