Evening star., 1900-12-15
Mr.. JoBSoN'S REQUEST

Mrs. Jobson had put in such busy day
at heusecieaning that she hadn't time to
dress before Mr.. Jobson's arrival home the
other evening. Mr.. Jobson surveyed hef
| disapprovingly as he hung HIS hat and
overcoat on the rack.
| by the way" he inquired, scrutinizins
her from head to foot, what have you
been doing-sifting ashes or ploughing the
back yard to put in a crop of winter
wheat?"
This is my housecleaning day. replied
| Mrs. Jobson, land the clock is slow. so
| that didn't have time to change my"
"Oh, that's 1t, is ft?-you didn't have
| time," said Mr Jobson. sarcastically. I'VE
| keep servant. don't we, Mrs. Jobson2"
YES but"
well, what do we keep her for? To
amuse us by playing on the piano? To
teach us the higher and nobler? To instruct
US in the kinks of the Delsarte movement
and theosophy? To"
She's as good a girl as we could expect
to get, but. Of course, the mistress of the
cleaning, or else
1T is also a part. and the most import
ant part, of the duty Of the mistress of the
household, Mrs. Jobson," said Mr. Jobson,
sternly. Ito look halfway presentable when
her husband is around. That's the trouble
with you married women. You don't care
how you look in the eyes Of your husbands,
but you'll spend hours in primping up for
other folks. Yet you're perfectly willing
to let me catch you looking If you'd
driven in from Prince Georges county on a
load O hay"
Il was just about to go upstairs to dress
for dinner when you came in, and
That's all right what you were Just
about to do. The point is that l come in
and find you looking like you'd been caught
in Jackson City dust storm. There's no
reason why you shouldn't look attractive
around the house all the time What's the
reason that that little Mrs. Questreet.
who isn't so much behind you in the mat
ter OF years, always looks pinked up and
d1ked out In frily wrappers and things
every time we happen to call there. and
Not much behind me in the matter Of
years!' calculated Mrs. Jobson. Mrs Que
street Is eight years older than 1 am, If
she's day. And we never happen to call
upon her at a time of day when she's clean
ing house. and, furthermore. she dngs at
money she wants to shop. and those pretty
wrappers that you're talking about
IF Questreet gives his wife any more
money to buy these dinky things that make
women look nice than I give you, then
I'd just like to know it. that's ALL" inter-
rupted Mr.. Jobson. 'If you haven't got
house duds like Mrs. Questreet's why don't
you go and get 'em? What's more there's
no reason why you should do any work
whatsoever around this house. Just you
let the servant girl do the jumping up and
galilFantlng around when you want any,
thlng or want anything. and devote your
tlme TO keeping yourself looking neat and
pleasing
Mrs. Jobson didn't make any reply, but
went upstairs and made herself ready for
dinner.
When Mr.. Jobson got home on the follow
Ing afternoon Mrs. Jobson, looking very
spiend1ferous indeed, met him at the door
ohe wore new and handsome baby-blue
tea gown, with lot of cream-colored lace
scattered over it. Her nair looked as if it
nad oeen done up by hairdresser Her
feet were incased in neat red morocco slim
pers, with gilt cord sewed on them-Mr
Jobson had never seen them beforehand
where they ended Mr.. Jobson caught a
glimpse of baoy-blue silk stockings. Mrs.
Jobson looked distinctly handsome and fas
ed at her in surprise.
w hos been here?" he asked her still
sizing her up wonderingly.
Nobody replied Mrs. Jobson.
wen, what are you ell rugged out that
way for, them"
w ny. don't you remember what you said
last evening?'
Mr. Jobson did remember all of sudden.
say anything more.
HOW 40 you like my new tea gowp?' in
CURED MIS-. Jcbson, cheerily. holding out
me SKIRT IN her hands. 81 got it today for
almost nothing-s34-at a sale: it was the
only one they had left, and it was paris
model" ' al -
IT'S great" replied Mr. Jobson. in q
!,y husky sort Of tone. ITS the limit! Only
have made you present Of it, eh?"
And l got half a dozen pairs of those
lcvely silk stockings different coIors for
only - a pair, went on Mrs. Jobson Il
am so fond or Silk stockings for house
wear, and 1 know how you like silk stock
ings.''
Like 'em? I love efn.'' gulped Mr.. Job
son.
81 got these red slippers because vou
seemed to like Mrs. Questreet's pair, thar
are just like these, so much" continued
Mrs. Jobson. do you like them?'
Ihey're orientally magnificentr' said Mr..
lets have dinner. I'm hungry"
Instead of tripping down the stairs, as
she usually did, to superintend the placing
of the dinner on the table. Mrs. Jobson
rang brand-new gong which she had pur-
chased that day, while Mr.. Jobson looked
on wonderinsly. The servant girl wheezed
up the stairs half moment later.
Gertrude, you may serve dinner" said
Mrs! Jobson. sinking back in an easy chair.
Mr.. Jobson blew his nose rather fiercely
but didn't say anything.
He wasn't particularly clipper during the
meal, which Mrs. JObson sat through with
out once getting up. as usual, to see about
the coffee, or the dessert, or something or
other, and she went right upstairs with Mr..
Johson when the dinner was finished.
Il.
at Mrs. Jobson expectantly. when they
reached the sitting room. Mrs Jobson
smiled amably. and sounded the gong.
The servant made her appearance present.
ly. Gertrude, Mr. Jobson's slippers-youl
find them beneath the bed in our sleeping
room" said she. Mr.. Jobson was about to
say something when the girl had gone up
stairs, but he scratched his head instead
"Er-wheres that long -stemmed briar
pipe of mine?" inquired Mr.. Jobson, after
he had settled himself for reading. Mrs
Jobson, looking up from the Christmas
magazine she had picked up. reached over
and rang the gong again. When the SER
want appeared again, grinning-for the. girl
was in on the play-"Gertrude you'll find
Mr.. Jobsons long-stemmed pipe on the
window sill upstairs, said she. Mr.. Jobson
looked at Mrs. Jobson with open mouth
but apparently thought better Of it and
scratched his head again. Mrs. Jobson
pulled her easy chair closer to the crate
fire and leaned back luxuriously. About
half an hour later Mr.. Jobson said, throw
ing down his paper:
Lets have a look at that account book
of mine-I want to run up the figures"
Mrs. Jobson was just about to reach over
to ring the gong again, when Mr. Jobson
stopped her with gesture.
Just supposing you cut out this En-
press Eugene, Queen of Sheba business"
said he. IT don't know what this new