Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-05-09
THE COMING MAN.


Scene Dining loom of Mr.. and Mrs.
Laterday.
Each is arrayed in a costume re-
versed from the custom of their an
cestors The wife wears an ultra
style of boomers, with vest, getaway
coat and black four-in-hand necktie.
Hair short and parted in the middle.
The husband is clothed in a light blue
wrapper, fluffy sleeves, close cut beard
and long hair arranged Ia mode of
the latest French knot. They sit at
the breakfast table, Susan reading the
morning paper, while John is slowly
pouring out the coffee, frowning and
muttering incoherent sentences as the
right sleeve Of his morning gown falls
accidently into the dark Brazilian bev-
erage before him. The children May
and Willie, respectively thirteen and
fourteen years of age, occupy seats on
either side Of the table.
Johns mind wanders in RETROSPECT
ton as with a dolly he dries the mois-
tened sleeves. This is the tenor Of his
thoughts. Little DID fathers Of 1895
conceive that their posterity would
think, act and dress as they do today.
Here | am 4 continual homeb0dy and
haven't the opportunity to leave my
duties for Il moment. The entire
morning is consumed in caring for the
children, getting them ready for
school, cleaning their faces and hands,
and above all, plating little Willie's
hair. which reaches to his waiSt-and
such lovely color Then it is so hard
to keep his dresses clean, more so
than my own. though | am constantly
in the Kitchen and darn the holes in
his stockings Alas. | wish boys Wore
trousers as they did 100 years ago.
But then l can't complain, for he is so
amiable and quiet. If he We're but like
Mary and could dress as she dresses,
/ should have no trouble in keeping
him clean and respectable. Her
bloerers are never Soiled. her short.
barber cut hair so easily brushed and
If she We're not SO robust, rolicking and
miscellaneous | should dote on her.
live in constant dread that Willie may
become Tom girlish' and Mary loose
her head or limb while playing football
or cricket A housekeepers life is in
deed a hard one"
Al this juncture Susan lays aside the
paper saying This is miserable
Stocks and bonds are depreciating rap
idly, the 'goldbugs' of Wall street are
riding rough shod, recklessly over all
competitors, and monopolists are OPP
pressing private industries with heels
of iron. How long will Ii last? Why
will not Mrs. Smith send her message
to congress? Perhaps this would re-
store confidence and plenty. OF course,
the two houses cannot agree on a
financial policy, for hair pulling. gos-
sip and scandal is the order of the
day. Public affairs are in deplorable
state. My speculations are not realiZ-
ing anticipated profits but | trust the
tide will change before tomorrow
docking up John, dear, the coffee is
very weak. Why don't you scold the
cook? You know | haven't time to
overlook domestic affairs, being absent
from home all day. And the biscuits.
dearest: how different from those my
father used to make. tSighing) Poor
ME, | thall have dyspepsia before an
other week Is ended Turning to
Nary Daughter, how do you like your
new BICYCLE"
Mary--"Oh, 1t Is just too nice for
anything, and have outstripped every
ether girl In the ncighborhood racing
round TIE block They are all envions
II me But what do you think,
mamma? Willie asked me yesterday
to let him ride, aud straddle at that.
tWtliie bushes and covers his face
with his hands, as he violently coughs.l
The ilea of my brother. boy, wanting
10 ride 4 bicycle. II Is ridiculous. in
descent What would the other girls
say"
Mother almost unnervol by the dis
closure of Wlllie'S desired am
astomded that my soil, Laterday,
should 80 far have forgotten himself
as ID act In manner 50 unbeeoming
little gentleman. BE content, my
child with your dolls and dresses.
These are better suited 70 your POSI-
tloi..''
Father (soothinglyl-There, darling.
dont cry. Mother didn't mean 10 hurt