Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-02-03

amt got any call fer complaint. S I
can see. Shed best be thankin' her
stars she amt got husband that comes
home drunk an abuses her. or CANDLES
everything he earns away in some old
saloon OF other!' An amt the one to
be claimin' they amt right. an she
want the one to complain about any
thing. But what i see with my own
eyes l guess I know. One night she
come over to our house for somethin',
an when she comes in-well, if l do
say it myself, our little settin'-room
did look bright an cheerful, even if
we amt got much in it. He always
builds up a big fre'n the fireplace in
winter. an pops big pan o corn an
gets up some apples from the cellar. an
then sets down an reads an talks while
l sew. An we was settin' there that
night when she comes in with a blue
dress on an black lace scarf over her
head. an cries out: oh. how cozy you
are! Why. is your husband at home
evenings? An she had the wishfullest
eyes ever looked into.
Yes says real quick. for didn't
want to hurt her feelin's. he works so
hard all day he don't feel much like go
In out nights.
Why. he isn't home every night, il
he" she cries out.
"'Yes, be- says he, before could
speak. WY. amt your husband?'
No.. she says. an she walked over
an stood lookn' down into the fire; an
then she says. very slow: I'd be the
happiest woman on earth II he was
WELL says he. lookin' at her close,
he's home sometimes in the evenin',
amt hep
Don't you like POPCORN cries 1,
jumpin' up quick. for knew he never
was; an sure enough. her face was as
red as fire--an' if there want tears in
her eyes don't know tears when
see 'em!"
He was my idee of a perfectly model
husband" said Mrs. Gregg. sternIy. 81
aon'tzsee how any body can find it in
their heart to utter word agen him"
II amt a-utterin' a word agen him,
Mis- Gregg. I'm just tellin' you that
she was a turable lonesome woman.
even if he did give her everything heart
could ask. That time after her baby
died he stayed home with her every
evenin'-he didn't go downtown a-once,
not a-once-"
You got that seam most finished?"
demanded Mrs. Gregg, in a tone of ex-
treme irritation. AFTER you get it all
finished we'll go out in the breakfast
room an get somethin' to eat. There's
a nice lunch all laid out on the table.
Wen make some tea on the gas stove"
But it didn't last long" went on Mrs.
Medcaif, unmoved. In less'n two
weeks he had to run downtown just for
a minute"
You like tea or coffee best, Mis- Med
ca'f? We can boil one as easy's the
other"
Tea. An his minutes KEEP gettin'
longer and longer. an in less'n two
weeks more"
I've got my seam all done, Mis- Med
caf. Ca-ha-ca-ha-ha," coughed Mrs.
Gregg. There, I'm ketchin' cold"
In two weeks more he was a-stayin'
out just as late as ever. An then it
seemed as if she just couldn't stay at
home alone evening""
Mrs Gregg arose suddenly, scraping
her chair back with a rasping sound.
She went to the sideboard, ca-ha-ca-ha-
ha-ing noisily as she went. She came
back bearing a heavy solid silver cake
tray in both hands. "Heft that" she
said. sternly. Just heft it,
Mrs. Medcalf hefted it.
"Unh-hunh-solid."s she said, briefly,
unimpressed. $50 she took to comm
over to my house to set little while.
with her white face and black dress,
iookin' as sad" .
She paused and bent sideways to pick
ho1 hi xCh inh ha6 fo11 P,14
Mrs. Gregg did not speak. She set the
cake-tray in its place on the 5000 side
board. She brushed some imaginary
dust off the embroidered cover with her
hand. He. lying in the dark hall, OBJ
served her movements with that I'M
conscious interest in trivial things
which takes hold OF one powerfully in
great moments. She shook out the
a second irresolute. Then she returned
slowly to her chair and sat down with
look of utter defeat. Mrs. Medcalf
continued her story with irritating
complacence. Mrs. Gregg turned her
face entirely away. and leaning her
head against the back of the chair.
closed her eyes and sat motionless. as
if asleep. Mrs. Medcalf had her in
nings, and she made The most of them.
especially on windy nights. when
doors ratified an latches lifted up, she
couldn't stay alone. So she used to
come over and set there till bedtime.
an then go home in the rain an dark.
an go into that lonesome house all
aIone-an' him down town without a
habiti'
Mrs Medca1f had finished; she arose.
triumphant. She folded her work
neatly and leisureiy and laid it on the
table. Then she pushed her needle into
it and laid her thimble on top of it
balancing it so it would not roll off.
He was perfectly model husband"