Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-05-01
And this the practical little woman


The professor returned home in ill
humor. His wife's desire to have a new
set, and especially her positive tone,
gave him no rest. His minds eye be-
held the new set as a birthday present,
followed by a big bill, which he would
have to pay with good grace. He
glanced aAgrily at the sofa, the root OF
the 4present evil, and suddenly behc!d
the loosened corner of the covering
which his wife had omitted to tack on
again. The professor looked hard at
both sides of the stuff.
''The lower side" he soliloquized. sis
almost like new. My wife has repent
eddy told me that all goods can be
turned, even my official swalloW-tail
Why not this covering also: The wrong
side OF the silk looks good, the color
is fresh--ha!" he exclaimed, suddenly
rising from his chair, "a genial idea!
My dear little wife shall learn that I
also understand how to he practical.
Yes, that's it. I am going to have the
covering turned and the horse hair
picked and cleaned. and then the set
will look like new. What is more. 1 will
have it done at once and lose no time.
All will he ready for my birthday. It
will be 4 surprise for my wife as a re-
| turn for the beautiful newspaper case
| which she is making for ME, as have
long ago noticed. The dear, good soul!
She would anyway give me no rest
| until new set were purchased, ana
| now she will have no cause to exile us
to the parlor when I receive company.
But now for a word with my wife,
Pleased as he had been for a long
time the professor appeared in the bou-
doir of his wife.
"Gertrude, dear, I merely came to tell
you that we should forbear of buying
and could not even spare five dollars.
If you really think that the set in my
study is so very much worn I will hence
forth receive my callers in the parlor."
''All right, husband" she replied,
looking greatly relieved. II should
have undertaken nothing without your
permission in this NATTER
The professor failed to notice the
| smile playing around his wife's lips.
He had expected opposition, and, be-
hold, all was plain sailing.
On the following Wednesday was the
professors birthday. Two days pre-.
vious, as soon as he had left his house
for the college, the upholsterer and his
assistants made their appearance. The
professors wife and her daughters
awaited them ready to help. The smar,
little woman had shrewdly made her
| arrangements for her husband to take
his meals on this and the following
day at the house of relatives. There
fore, they could do the work unds-
turbed, and they did.
When the evening came all was fin
ished, and the woman looked with
pride and satisfaction upon the result
of her genial idea. The furniture looked
like new and the cost was really not
worth while talking about, only ten
| dollars, which the gratiied woman,
promptly paid.
1t was late in the evening when the
professor returned.
| ''To-morrow," his wife said to him.
1--WE will give your study thorough
cleaning. Do you object to my remov-
ing some of the things into your bed
rcom?"
That was exactly what the sly pro-
fessor had specialized upon and ardent
ly desired.
"Yes," he said. Certainly. Remove
whatever you like. Why not begin with
the sofa and chairs, which, as I. now
perceive, you have already tied together
to facilitate their removal"
Had we not better wait until to-
morrow after you leave the house,
dear? But if you desire it, we will do
it now said the unsuspecting woman.
! She called the servant, and few moro
minutes found the whole set in the
professors bedroom. Mrs. W knew
better than to suspect her husband oi
curiosity to examine the bundled u,
furniture.
At six o'clock the following morning
an upholsterer and his assistants APP
peared in the professors bedroom.
Every well,' said the latter, who had
! been expecting them. II am glad that
you are punctual. Has any one seen
you come in?"
mo, sir"
"Al] right. There is the furniture.
You know what I want you to do.
But remember, everything has to be
finished to-day, and the pieces re-
turned here this evening. On this con-
dition only agree to pay you the SIS
you ask. Now carry them away and be
! careful to make no noise. Ny wife
must know nothing about it. It is
true, her bedroom is in the opposite
wing, but her ears are as sharp as a
dogs"
An hour later the upholsterer again
appeared before the professor.
Sir said he, what am to do with
that furniture? The set is in the best
possible condition and looks us good as
new. Why turn the covering, which L
think is altogether unnecessary:
What are you saying? The cover
ing fresh and new, and dirty only
underneath? You plainly don't know
whit, Won arc ta!l,ipr about @l;,1-