The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-03-22
The Luck of Edmonton
By Kennett F. Harris.
DMONTON looked worn and hag-

forefinger in the dust that had settled
thickly on the inlaid card table, and his
attention seemed to be divided between
his visitor and the kitchen, from
whence came the sound of somebody
beating eggs with fork. There seemed
y be great deal of dust in the room,
with other indications that something
had occurred to disturb the even tenor
Of :he housework-as. for instance, a
soiled gingham apron neghgently
draped on the back of IA chair, tray full
of breakfast things and u rusty black
bonnet on another table, tin of mus
tard on the bookcase and an improvised
clothesline full of white clothes over the
register.
Barkstowe was telling his experience
with his two-particularly when little
James came to town. Altogether, |
felt much about the same way you're
feeling now," he said. But cheer up,
old man; you'll get used to it,
For Heavens sake! Is that the best
you can offer?" exclaimed Edmonton.
Il haven't had any rest by night nor
comfort by day for-let me see; this is
the third day now. Waiting on a lot of
incompetent, sassy females and pay
ing them about ten times what they are
worth! Just look al the placel | amt
particular, but-oh, well, suppose I've
got to put up with it for few more
days. But l want to tell you you're
mistaken about one thing-I'm not 60
ing to get used to it. As soon as Emmie
4,., IL l.
few changes"
That's true, too" said Barkstowe.
"Yes, that's true enough. All! You
bet there will be some changes"
What do you mean? You're blamed
mysterious all of a sudden. Break it to
me as gently as possible, but let me
have it,"
well, you are going to find out that
you amt the whole thing any more.
You play second fiddle and it's solo for
first all the time. They won't even no.
tice when you go off and sulk."
I'm no bloomin' egotist," said Ed
monton.
II know all about that" said Bark
stowe. I'm one of the most self-for-
getful people you ever saw myself, but
when you undertake to tell a woman
something interesting about yourself
a woman who formerly thought that
the Admirable Crichton was poor
stick alongside of you-and she listens
with stiff, mechanical smile and then
says: 'Yes-no-er-I guess-what
was it you said, Henry? / beg your
pardon, my dear, but thought heard
baby. Oh, Henry, you just don't know
how cute he has been to-day That's
what grinds, Eddie, my boy"
~ suppose so," said Edmonton, with
evident incredulity.
"And so far as losing sleep is con-
cerned," pursued Barkstowe, you
don't begin to realize what it is. Wait
until the collie period arrives"
'If it hasn't arrived now don't know
what it is" grumbled Edmonton.
Nowhere near the real thing" said
Barkstowe, with superior smile. "lll
tell you what you've got to do now,
Eddie; you've got to cultivate patience
and acquire catlike tread and the fac
ulty of carrying on an animated con-
versation in a whisper. You need to
train your stomach to take anything
that happens to be handy at any time
that happens to be convenient and-but
then you'll find it all out. The only
thing that l want to impress on you is,
that your troubles haven't begun, and
that when they do hit you you won't be
entitled to any particular sympathy,
for what you will have to contend with
the heft of male humanity is. has been
or will be up against, and so it will con-
tinue while the grass grows and water
runs and people are chumps enough not
to know when they are well off. Pom
der over that, young mani"
81 will some time when haven't
got anything better to do" said Ed
monitor, looking at his watch. II don't
want to turn you out, and appreciate e
your efforts to console me. but I've got
to meet my wife's mother on the $3.50
from Aurora. My mother will be here
tomorrow"
"Do you mean that your mother and
your wife's mother are going 10 make
you visit at the same time?" asked
Barkstowe.
Certainly. They're both anxious to
see the DaDy.
Barkstowe rose and heaved deep
sigh. He drew on his gloves, looking
mournfully at his friend and shaking
his head in a manner expressive of the
most gloomy foreboding. He sighed
again when he reached the hall and
said: "Good-by, Eddie" in sepulchral
voice.
IT did not need this behavior on the
part of Barkstowe to create misgiv.
ings in the mind of Edmonton. The
young father had anticipated trouble
from the time he had received the let
ter from his wife's mother announc
ing her intention of coming down tc
stay with "the dear girl" for his OWE
mother had been beforehand with heI
telegram. 1t was not that either of the
ladies was especially ferocious, but, al
the same time, Edmonton knew tina,
his mother had decided views on tht
90 nh