St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-03-03
The Luck Of Edmonton
BY Kennett F Harris.
looked worn and hae

EDMONTON looked worn and has
e gard-not at all as wefis as nigh
be expected, as Barkstowe told him
He drew fanciful arabesques with hi
forefinger in the dust that had settle
thickly on the inlaid card table, and hi
attention seemed to be divided betweei
his visitor and the kitchen, from
whence came the sound Of somebod,
beating eggs with fork. There SCENE,
to be great deal of dust in the room
with other indications that somethin,
had occurred to disturb the even teno
of the housework-as, for instance,
soiled gingham apron negligent,
draped on the back of chair, a tray full
OF breakfast things and rusty blacl
bonnet on another table, a tin of mus
tard on the bookcase and an improviset
clothesline full of white clothes over thu
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.
I 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 at the place! 1 amt
particular, but-oh. well, suppose I've
got to put up with it for few more
days. But | want TO tell you you're
mistaken about one thing-Tm not 60
ing to get used to it. As soon as Emmie
gets downstairs there's going to be a
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 ii 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 a 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
monitor.
Il 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
q woman who formerly thought that
the Admirable Crichton was a 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? l beg your
pardon. my dear. but l 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 1t is. grumbled Edmonton.
Nowhere near the real thing" said
Barkstowe. with a superior smile. .Iu
tell you what you've got to do now.
Eddie; you've got to cultivate patience
and acquire a catlike tread and the fac
ulty of carrying on an animated con-
versation in 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 he
entitled to any particular sympathv
for what you will have to contend with
the heft of male humanity is, has been
or will be up against. and SO il will con-
tinue while the grass grows and water
runs and people are chumps enough not
TO know when they are well of. Pom
der over that. young mani"
Il will some time when I haven,
got anything better to do said Ed
monitor. looking at his watch. Il don't ,
want to turn You out. and appreciate j
Vour enorts to console me, but I've 20,
to meet my wife's mother on the s:3o 3
from Aurora. Ny mother will be here
tomorrow"
DO you mean that your mother and s
Tour wife's mother are going to make ,
gou . visit at the same time?r asked /.
Certainly. They're both anxious TO !
ZEE the baby" {
Barkstowe rose and heaved a deem
Ugh. He drew on his gloves. looking
at his friend and shaking i
do head in manner expressive of the
most gloomy foreboding. He sighed !,
gain when he reached the hall and :
Aid: ''Good-by. Eddie" in a sepulchr.l :,
dice. =
It did not need this behavior ON N.
art Of Barkstowe to create misoiy-
ngs in the mind Of Edmonton. The
oung father had anticipated troubfp n
rom the time he had received the let.
e from his wife's mother announc- !
NJ her intention of coming down to :
tay with '.the dear girl" for his own
pother had been beforehand with her i
ele9ram. It was not that either Of the
ldies was especially ferocious. but. ~ =
Ae same time. Edmonton knew that =
4 mother had decided siews on the !,