Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-07-27
A HUSBAND WORTH HAVING.

Mr.. Wilkes fixed his spectacles firmly
on the tip of his ample nose, cleared his
throat and settled himself in his arm
chair with an air of supreme self-satis-
faction.
He rarely cleared his throat unless
something important was coming-and
Mrs. Wilkes waited in suspense.
MY dear" he began at last, Il shall
want breakfast little carrier tomorrow,
as l am going 10 the coronation, and |
must be in good time"
Mrs. Wilkes eyes opened wide with
astonishment.
How lovelyr' she exclaimed excitedly.
Have you got good seats?"
Seats! Who mentioned seats"
snapped Mr. Wilkes Indignantly. Use
less extravaganza when you can see the
show from the road like other economical
peopler' a
"But, John, you would get crushed to
death in a crowd like there will he to-
morrow. You must remember you are
not so young as you used to be, and
London crowd. especially on a coronation
day, is a terrible thing"
If there was one thing Mr. Wilkes dis
liked more than another it was any ref
erence to his advancing years.
You seem to imagine / am incapable
of taking care of myself he exclaimed
with considerable heat Il never heard
such nonsense OF course, it would hard
! ly do for ladies or delicate people to go,
! hut for newell. | should like to see
| the crowd that would keep me from wit
Messing an event of lifetime"
| And Mr.. Wilkes gave Il sniff of SUI
prcme scOrn and expanded an ample
waistcoat, the lower part of which was
| somewhat more rotund than the upper.
n
or way" he continued, warming to his
| subject, and take care not to push or
hustle anyone. no one will push or hustle
you. and you will be able to see the
show quite as well as the eXtravagant
idiots who pay three and four guineaS
Mrs. Wilkes knew differently but she
also knew her husband too well to argue
the point.
oh. very well, john hope you will
enjoy it," she answered resignedly, but
with quiet smile that was no doubt
caused by the thought of a stout little
man of > feet ;, with a temper, in
! London crowd on n coronation day.
That smile was not lost on Mr.. Wilkes
and he inwardly determined that while
breath remained in his body, he would
| show his misguided wife that she had n
man for a husband, and not a child-a
fact she had so far apparently been UNI
| conscious of.
II.
The next morning, after an early
breakfast and somewhat cold and dis
! dainful parting from his wife. Mr.
! Wilkes wended his way to the station in
| high spirits the most immaculate of
| frock coats. and shiniest of hats, lust
to show her whether ] can take care of
myself or not, as he put il to himself
! There was fairly large crowd when
/ h.. x-nl b., I.
| ly did look more formidable at close
quarters than he had anticipated.
! Il wish | hadn't brought this hat" he
might have been heard to murmur, as ii
! brushed up against the shoulder of q
| hurly policeman, who with the gentle
ness of his kind, was edging his way
! through the stubborn crowd.
! 1t was not long before Mr., Wilkes
| found himself being carried along. gently
| but firmly, he knew not whittier, and a
! few more moments served more than
! ever to convince him that il would have
been advisable to leave that hat at home
rms time II was a coSterS elbow that
did the damage, and Mr.. Wilkes felt
that il was time he made some remon-
| STRANGE.
Are YOU aware you brushed my hat
the wrong way with your elbow" he
inquired. in biting accents.
Go on. Did T. exclaimed the I'M
conscious aggrcSsOr, good-naturedly
'Cricky, an 'ow it do shine. too. What
er pity, Ere, let's stroke it right for
YER. and. to Mr.. Wilkes CONSERVATION.
his hat was suddenly seized from his
head. leaving a bald patch exposed &c
the vulgar gaze of the public-and a bit
ing east wind.
In, vain he expostulated. Slowly the
crowd Surged on, carrying the unwilling
Mr.. Wilkes further and further from his
beloved hat which was being polished by
us capror with an energy worthy Of
better cause.
Al last the crowd came to a StandstiU
While the police, four abreast rode
through the writing mass to clear the
way for the procession which was AT
last approaching.
Mr.. Wilkes was just conscious Of one
o. two plume9 helmets above the heads