Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-08-22
ASUBURBAN EXPERIENCE
BY MRS. NJ. L. RAYNE.

SIT isn't because l am tired of our fat
that 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.
II agree with the doctor that we
need change of one sort at least" an
swered her husband.
Don't be fippant, dear. l am in
dead earnest; and oh, Perry, know Of
such dear cottage, one of row."
II dislike rows" said Perry. "How-
ever, if you are determined to be q
suburbanite, and with the suburban
ties stald, may as well agree to go.
will at once take lessons on the flying
trapeze 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
by 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; land, Perry,
the air is just heavenly-so sustaining"
That's good, as we shall probably
be twelve miles or more from grocery
store. Have you caught your house
yet, 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 l have never been
introduced to Mr.. Smead? l wouldn't
believe there was any such person If
had not seen him."
Nothing strange about it," growled
Perry, in what his wife called his bull
dog" voice. Il suppose you want to
know him becauNe he has the reputa-
ton 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. / never would marry a
handsome man"
Perry mumbled something and went
away, first giving his wife permission
to do as she pleased about taking the
SuDur ban house.
A week later both families were set
tied in the row which fronted street
and railroad track, and was equi-dis-
tapt from two depots.
Mr.. Smead did not take as kindly to
She change as Perry Thorne did, but
he told his wife, thoughtlessly, that
one good feature of suburban life was
having the Thornes for neighbors
"Where have you ever met Mrs.
.Thorne?" 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 married?"
Him! We have calling acquaint-
ance, and now we are to be neighbors.
i suppose you will meet. But you are
so susceptible, and she is so giddy, /
just know you will set people talking"
Great Cesar, Laura, you give your
best friend a great send off! l suscep-
tible and she giddy? We must be made
for each otherp'
Mrs. Smead looked volumes at her
husband, but where is the man who
does not enjoy being bone of conten-
ton among his women-folk, ana if
Smead had q special and particular
virtue, it was that of being good ma
tured.
Mrs. Smead, like the woman of his
tory, had two treasures-her sewing
machine and her husband, and she
drew the line at lending either, and il
people wanted to call her selfish they
might. Fortified by this law she rented
the southwest cottage.
Saturday night! The invisible bridg.
spans the distance between the world
of labor and the world of rest. The
tranquil air gave back no murmur O
the multitudinous voices that had filled
1t with cries of sorrow, anger, or glad
ness during the work days of the pas
week. 1t was the ante-chamber of tn,
Sabbath, time so sacred to our an
cestors that all work and all pleasure
was suspended, that the soul itsel
might rest
A great throng of people was hurry
ing homeward, and all bore the happ,
burdens OF Saturday night-new shoe
for the little burden-bearers, a nev
bonnet for mother, the Sunday Dime
land among them Perry Thorne an,
Amos Smead. who had struck up
neighborly acquaintance, and wer
now fastening to the same train, goin;
out TO their suburban homes for thei
first Sabbath of rest They were bot