The record-union., 1897-10-18
THE MAN WITH A LAME BACK.


thing to-day that Will make me very
happy"
Mr. Lommix was caught unawares,
and replied that he would always be
glad to do anything in his power to
increase her happiness.
Then" she said, get ready and go
along with me to church"
Josiah Lommix looked as if he had
Just heard of the death of some near
and dear friend, but he was game and
said:
"An right, my dear. What time do
you start2"
''At 1890" Lucretia Lonamix replied.
''That will give us fifteen minutes to
get there
"H'mtp her husband responded, look
ing at his watch; its fifteen minutes
after 9 now. Well. all right 1 guess
we've got plenty of time"
Then he walked out and stood mus
ing upon the porch. Mr.. Lommix was
sad, and any one would have known
1t at a glance Presently his wife fol-
lowed him out and said:
Josiah, dear, don't you think you
had better hurry up and shave so as
to be ready when it comes time TO
start?"
Mr.. Lomrnix passed hand across
his chin, and the light of hope beamed
from his eyes.
'By George, that's so,'' he answered.
'T had forgotten when I promised to
go that 1 would have to shave. I'm
afraid, my dear, that I'll not be able
to make it. You know what an awful
time 1 always have shaving, and my
face is unusually tender just now, so
that I
"Oh, well,'' the sweet little woman
said, rubbing up against him and look
ing innocently into his eyes, never
mind shaving if it's 50 much trouble.
You really don't need it, anyway"
Then she patted him upon one of
his cheeks and rushed up stairs.
Josiah Lommix pushed his hands
down into his pockets; took couple
Of turns around the porch, and then
began gnawing his mustache and look
ing as cheerful as a funny man who
has Just found that his copy has been
edited by the proofreader.
After a while he went up to where
his wife was dressing, and said
''I wonder why it is that they always
have such blamed uncomfortable seats
in the churches?"
"Why. do you think they're uncom-
fortable?" she returned. "They never
have seemed so to me-
THEY'RE beastly," he went on. cal
ways make me lame for a week"
.eThat's queer" Mrs. Lommix inno-
Gently declared. They're cushioned,
you know, and the backs slant just
right, and"
"Oh, I know all that" he impatient
" interrupted, but still there's some
thing about them that just wears me
out. Fact of the matter is, I'd rather
lean over a desk all day than sit in one
Of those pews two hours. Wouldn't
tire me half so much. I've had a good
deal of pain in my back lately, any
how. I've wanted several times to
speak to you about it, but I've always
put it off, preferring not to have you
worry about it, hoping that the trouble
would pass away. It's been getting
worse though, and I'm really afraid
that if I We're to sit in one of those
pews for a couple of hours now the
consequences might be serious"
Lucretia Lommix was not big,
strong minded woman She was just
a sweet, ld-tempered little body who
was terribly afraid that she was too
wicked to go to heaven, when, in fact,
any one would have made the best
kind of an investment by securing her
chance at any price
Still she occasionally got things
through her head, and, looking up at her
husband, she smiled, and said:
We'll. dear, never mind. You can go
with me some other time. I'm afraid
you couldn't get ready now, any way
"Goshi" he exclaimed, glancing at his
watch. Il had no idea it was so late.
No. I couldn't get ready now; that's
so. I'm blamed sorry 1 didn't realize
that time was passing so rapidly. All
right, little woman some other time
I'll go with you"
So he went down to the porch again,
lit a cigar, began studying the bat
ting average of the baseball players.
and was happy.
AS for pretty little Mrs Lommix, she
winked hard several times, and thus
managed to keep back couple of tears,
after which she kept on getting ready
for church. AS she passed out of the
house she went over TO where her hus-
band was sitting upon the porch and
kissed his cheek. He was so busy COM
pairing the percentages of the home
team with those of the champions that
he didn't have time to return her sa-
lutte. and she went on.
Several times while Mrs. Lommix was
on her knees, that morning. she asked
the Lord to bless her dear husband,
and each time she did this the tears
somehow forced themselves to her eyes.
"Good sermon?" asked Mr.. Lommix,
when his wife got back home.
Yes. excellent" she replied. At din
ner she noticed that her husband was
restless.
Aren't you well, dear?" she inquired.
ooh, yes he answered. Il wonder
If it's going to rain this afternoon"
1T looks like it now" she replied.
'By George, I hope not" he said.
AT o'clock the clouds had disap-
peared, and Mr.. Lommix felt better.
An hour later he put on his hat and
tried to sneak out the side door.
Where are you going, Josiah dear?'
Mrs. Lommix asked.
Some women always seem to he
snooping around, as if they were really
spying upon their husbands.
"Oh, just down here a piece" Mr..
Iommix answered.
wait a minute, and I'll go along"
his wife said. Il feel just like taking
a little walk
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