The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-23
COLLABORATION.

AuA Vohicst.C liz uUONe uli tnlnBSf IL
you happen to possess bright and COM
panionable young wife, with ideas of
her own; if you are secretly immensely
proud of her and her parts" but fear
full lest you encourage in her IN AFRO
gance Of equality with you and your
own, then beware of moments of sym
pathy and keep guard upon your tongue
in hours of confidence, lest they lead to
the death of all future communion;
lest, III short, peradventrc they tempt
you into collaboration with your wife.
In the case of Jones its beginning
was very insidions Jones had q mag
niiiccnt idea for a plot 1t was modern,
without being OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES was
there happier conception. But it had 81
flaw. There was Il hitch in the action
which disturbed the flow Jones stared
wildly at thc paper on which ne had
Jotted down Outline of Plot i'll his
bolticst hand. Staring did not seem to
bring inspiration, and Jones forgot him
sell 50 fur us to stamp upon the floor.
His wife heard the unwonted sound
She was giving the children their nurs-
cry tea at Che time, and "A little plaster
fell of tho ceiling into ono of their
bread and milk bowls She went ND
stairs.
Whats the matter with the poor
boy, them" She inquired. 1.-The nursery
ceilings coming down. And what has
he dono to his nice smooth hair:''
ooh, don't be All idiotr' groaned
Jones. "1'yo got the finest idea 1 over
had III my lie. and now I'm simply
stuck. "
His wifc's little face became grave
and important at once She was fair.
pretty woman, with brown eyes and "a
little chin that stuck out.
Tell me, said she coaxingly, set
Ting on thear,n of his big leather chair.
Jones sawno warming shadow of com
ing collaboration.
III just give you an idea of my
plot. " he said, and proceeded to do SO.
The 'idea" took threo-quarters of All
hour TO give. His wife listened, at first
with a preoccupicd air. She could not
forget that an open jam pot stood on the
nursery table at baby's elbow Soon.
however, the full beauty of the thing
burst upon her. She got down from the
arm of Jones chair and embraced him
with fervor
Talk of Stevenson indeed. she said
compassionately, ''or your Merediths
and Hardys and peopler'
Come, come - said Jones He tried
to tell her dryly mot to bo an idiot, /"
but the words would not come rs easily
as usual. After all. real appreciativc-
ness is rare gift.
Write it straight away off, dear"
she begged write it, md get the mon
ey for it. I"
This brought the fatal hitch back
upon Jones consciousness in it's full bit
terness. He laid the case before his wife.
She 1T once suggested the only possible
Way out of the difficulty.
That would have occurred to Inc if
ia thought minute longer" said
Jones.
"Conrse it would, tie clever boy!'
sand his wife sCothingly, and she began
to expand her plot Jones listened pa
tlently, sometimes vuuchsafing encour-
agement, and she looked so pretty, so
flushed and eager over it, that he was
touched. In a dementcd moment ne ut
tered the words that risked the bappi
ness Of two lives
why shouldn't we write it toneth
err" he said
Once said. there was no unsayino it.
Without word his wife arose and went
straight to the nearest stationer's There
she bought ten realns of manuscript pa
per and , shillings' worth of pens. All
tho rest of the day she was remarkably
silent. Jones addressed her at the din
ner table with remark that had never
yet failed to please
II always like you III that dress" ne
said. Its pretty idea, having those
sleeves one can see the arms through
It's called net, GU tnllc. or something
isn't it,"
Conc moment, please, dear" an
swered his wife, and her lips moved
mutely, III visible composition.
Then Jones remarked that her hair
was arranged with less frivolity than
usual. 1t showed more Of her forehead,
which gave All intellectual look. This
was aided bya somewhat aggressive inl:
stain on one of her fingers.
Jones felt much as he did toward his
baby boy when that infant played at
being growa up and doin like dadda."
He pntted his wife's check She received
the advance with touch of dignity.
Jones began to feel a trifle irritated,
and he scraped his foot under the table.
His wife started q little deliberately, and
then resumed the silent movement Of
her lips.
Next day, when he came back from
his Office, he found the plaster knocked
out of tie wall in three places Tram
ping feet We're heard in his own sacred