The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-09-28
ASUBURBAN EXPERIENCE
by MRS. NJ. L. RAYNE.

by MRS. NJ. L. RAYNE.
"It isn't because I am tired of our fiat
that want to live in the suburbs, but
the doctor says VIC 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. I am in
dead earnest; and oh, Perry, I know of
such n dear cottage. one of a row.
II dislike rows" said Perry. Glow
ever, if you are determined to be q
burbanite, and with the suburba n
ties staAd, l may as we'll agree to go.
will at once take lessons on tho flying
trapezc that I may sometimes be
able to catch train. l shall study to
acquire that dazed suburban stare that
people who cat their breakfasts and
dinners by lamplight assume, assisted
by catching their quota OF sleep in
depots after they have missed the
train"
"Oh, VIC 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 a grocery
store. lave you caught your house
yet, Maud?''
''Oh, yes. Mrs. S1ncad 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.
''Nothin2 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 reputa-
ton of being lady killer
''Perry!''
II am told by fellows we both know
that he prides himself on his beauty"
II hate beauty-men," said Maud,
soothingly. ''thcy are all vain, conceit-
cd creatures. l never would marry a
handsome man."
Perry mulnblcd something and went
away, first giving his wife permission
to do as she pleased about ia king the
suburban house.
A week later both families were set
tied in the row which fronted n street
and a railroad track, and was equi-dis-
tant from two depots.
Mr.. Smead did not take kindly to
the change as Perry Thorne did, but
he told his wife, thouehtlessly, that
one good feature of suburban life was
having the Thornes for neighbo
''Whcre have you ever met Mrs.
Thorne?'' asked his wife, suspiciously.
Don't know her from Adam, my
haven't heard her praises sung ever
since we were married?''
HIN! We have a calling acquaint-
ance, and now we are to be ncighbors.
I suppose you will meet. But you are
so susceptible, and she is giddy, 1
just know you will set people talking"
''Great Caesar, Laura, you give your
~ <-S
tible and she Giddy? We must be made
for each other"'
Mrs. Smead looked volumes at her
husband, but where is the man who
does not enjoy being a bone of conten-
ton among his women-follS, and if
Smcad had a 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 if
people wanted to call her selfish they
might. Fortified by this ii w she rented
the southwest cottage.
Saturday night! The invisible bridge
spans the distance between the world
of labor and the world of rest. Tho
tranquil cir gave back no murmur of
the multitudinous voices that had filed
1t with cries of sorrow. anger, or glad
ness during the work days of the past
week. It was the ante-chamber of the
Sabbath, a time So sacred to our an
cestors that all work and all pleasure
was suspended. that the soul itself
might rest.
"A great throng Of people was hurry
ing homeward, and all bore the happy
burdens of Saturday niRht-new shoes
for the little burden-bearers, a new
bonnet for mother, the Sunday dinner
and among them Perry Thornc and
Amos Smead, who he'd struck up q
ueighborly acquaintance. and were
now Fastening to the eame train, going
out to theiy suburban homes Tor thsiv
ars& Sabbath VI rest, They were both