Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-07
Revolt Of The

~ HIS uduuS. anu LIS udlluS III LIE
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 10 himself: That seems the
only thing to do. l shall consult with
my wife. | wish she came home more
frequently, and then we could talk
over these matters"
He seized a telegraph blank and
wrote: Mrs. John MadaX, 20 Bullion
court, city. Can you run over TO Old
Gold alley for a few minutes? 1 wish
to consult you on business, MadaX."
He rang the bell for a telegraph boy
and sent the message, then, pacing up
and down his room again, waited for
his wife to appear. Instead there came
i prompt answer, which he tore open
and read feyerishly: Sorry l can't
come this afternoon. Too busy. Call
on me at l O'Clock and l will take you
to the club, where We a 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 in hand. He brushed himself up
l bit, took his walking stick and drove
II a hanson to his Wife'S office Old
Bullion court. After having sent in his
name, a neat little girl showed him
INTO a room and told him that Mrs.
MadaX would be with him presently.
She was sorry to keep him waiting,
but she sent Il copy Of the Sketch for
him to Look over during the interval.
The Sketch was a paper started III
the nineteenth century and was at
that time considered to be rather i'll
advance of the other slOW-g0ing week
lies Now. however, it was thought to
be the correct paper for a man to read,
although the women paid little atten-
ton to it. In the reception-rO0m TWO
Or three O.ner men were waiting, nurs-
ing their hats Presently the office
girl came IN and told them ali, except
MadaX, THAT Mrs. MadaX couldn't pos
sibly see them until later in the day,
as size had an appointment, and would
they be good enough to call about /
o'clock. so the nell took Their depart
ure, and MadaX was left alone With
his paper, although his wife entered
very soon after. She was a tall
woman, with fine, clear cut, decided
features. AS far as the upper part Of
her was concerned she vas dressed al
most like a man. She wore a some
what glaring necktie and d 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 pockets. Her right
hand was thrust into one of these
pockets. and she jingled some coins
and keys as she entered the
where her husband was waiting.
We'll. john" she cried. EXCUSE me
for keeping you, but we have had d
very busy morning. However, if you
are ready now, | am. We will go to
the Pine Ear club and have lunch"
She approached her husband as she
spoke and patted him with some af-
lection on the shoulder. He looked up
at her and smiled. Somehow her in
fuence had a soothing, protective air
about it, which made the man feel
that he was not battling with the
world alone.
One of the numerous girl clerks
came in with a long ulster, which Mrs.
MadaX put on, thrusting one hand in
the armhole and then the other, while
the girl held the garment by the col
lar. When Mrs. MadaX had buttoned
Up the ulster anud put a jaunty round
hard hat on her head, she looked more
like a man than ever, and Madax
himself seemed almost effeminate be-
side her.
rs my brougham at the door, she
asked the girl.
Yes, 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
inside.
"To the Pine Ear club said the
lady to the coachma.l.
She took her seat beside her hus-
band, and the carriage drove off to-
word the west end. In a 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 re-
sort of women engaged in business in
the city. 1t is higher priced than the
Carlton or Refrom, 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 coach!nan.
The stately doors of the club were
opened by two girl porters and the
couple entered. The lady wrote her
husbands name in a book which was
on a stand in the hall, and together
they entered the large dining-room,
where they took their places at one of
the small tables set for TWO hear one
of the large front windows.