The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-09-03
IN THE SUBURBS.

"It Isn't bccauselI am tired OF our flnt
that want to live in the suburbs, but the
doctor says we both need change" con-
Guided Mrs Perry Thorne, who was max
ing her first plea for country life
agree with the doctor that we need
CHANGE of one sort, at least, answered her
husband.
Don't be fippant, dear. am in dead
dearest, and, oh, Perry, I know of such
dear cottago, ono of a row." F
81 dislike rows" snid Perry. Glow
ever, If you are determined to DO q subur-
banito and with tho suburbanitcs stand,
may rs VOL agree to go. will mt once
tako lessons on tho flying trapczc so that
may sometimes be ablo to catch train. 1
shall study to acquire that dazcd suburban
stare that people who cat their breakfast
and dinners by lamplight assume, assisted
by catching their quota of sleep i'll dcpots
after they have missed their train"
"Oh, wo won't be there long enough for
that, " said his wife, "and, Perry, tho mir
Is just hcavenly-So sustaining"
That's good, as we shall probably DO
10 miles or moro from u grocery store
Have you caught your house yet, MaudP'
"Oh, yes. Mrs. Smcad has one in tho
Same row, and she told me about ours 1t
Is tho southwest corner house. whilo hers
Is the southeast. Isn't 1t strange, Perry,
that have never been introduced to Mr..
Smead? 1 wouldn't believe there was any
such person If had not seen him.
Nothing strange about it," growlcd
Perry, in what his wife called his "bull-
dog" voice. II suppose you want to know
him because he has the reputation of be-
ing lady killer"
"Perryl''
II am told by fellows we both know
that ho pridos himself on his beauty"
II hate beauty men," said Maud sooth-
ingly, "they are all vain conccitcd crca-
lures. 1 never would marry a handsome
man."
Perry mumbled something and went
away, first giving his wife permission to
do rs She pleased about taking the subur-
ban house.
A week later both families were settled
in the row which frontcd n street and n
railroad track and was equidistant from
two depots.
Mr.. Smead did not take as kindly to tho
change as Perry Thorne did, but he told
his wife thoughtlessly that ono good fca-
turo OF suburban life was having tho
Thornes for neighbors.
"Whero have you ever met Mrs Thornc?"
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 wero
marrcd?"
"H'ml We have calling acquaintance,
and now that we arc to be neighbors sup
pose you will meet But you are SO sus-
ceptiblc and She is SO giddy just know
you will set people talking"
Great Cesar, Laura You give your
best friend u great send off. I susceptible
and shc giddy? We must be mado for each
other"
Mrs. Smead looked volumes ut her
handsome husband, but where is the man
who does not enjoy being bone of con-
tention among his women folk, and il
Smead had special and particular virtue
1t was that of being good naturcd.
Mrs. Smcad, like tho woman Of history,
had two trcasurcs-hcr sewing machine
and her husband-and she drew the limo
at lending either, and If people wanted to
call her selfish they might Fortified by
this law, she rented the southwest cottage.
Saturday night! Tho invisible bridge
spans tho distance between the world of
labor and the world of rest. The TRANQUIL
air gave back no murmur of the nultitud-
inous voices that had filled it with cries of
sorrow, anger or gladncss during the work
days of the past week. 1t was the ante
chamber OF tho Sabbath, "a time so sacred
to our ancestors that all work and all pleas
urc WAS suspended that the soul itself
might rest.
A. great throng of people was hurrying
homeward, and all bore the happy burdens
OF Saturday night-now shoes for tho feet
Of the little burden bearers q now bonnet
for mother, the Sunday dinner-and
among them Perry Thorne and Amos
Smead, who had struck up ncighborly
acquaintance and were now fastening to
the Same train, going out to their subur-
ban homes for their first Sabbath of rest.
They were both laden to the ears with
brown paper packages and had just time
to make tho train, after purchasing their
communication tickets. They went Looping
through the gates in approved suburban
style ana caught on just rs tho train
moved out, and then Perry shouted in
voice that sounded above the roar of escap-
ing steam:
We've left our Sunday dinners on tho
window stand of the ticket office. You 20
on, Smead, and I'll take the next train
OUT
lie swung himself clear off the train.
turned somersnult and waved all right
10 Smead, Who mopped the cindcrs and
persplratlon from his face and remarked
to tho man standing next to him, in a
friendly way:
Nice way to spend the summer living
in the suburbs:'
Yes, if you don't care what you say"
growlcd the man.
Then Smead took q bit of pastcboard
from his pocket and began to study it,
southeast corner, Terrace row, Oak
land
smead asked his gruf' neighbor If no
got off at that station.
No, L DON'T sand the man. "You