Holbrook argus., 1901-03-30

amt. got any call fer complaint, S
can see: Shed best be thankin' her
stars she amt got husband that comes
home drunk an abuses her, or ga:Ebles
everything he earns away in come old
saloon or other!' An amt the enc to
be clainlin' they amt right. an she
WHIT the one to complain about any
thing. Dut what | see with MY own
eyes l guess | know. One night she
ccme over to cur house for sUmethir',
an when she comes in-well. if | 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 n big fire'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
sew. An we was settin' there that
Eight when she comes in with a blue
dress on an a 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 l ever looked into.
Yes says real quick, for didn't
want TO hurt her feelin's, he works so
lard all day he don't feel much like go-
in out nights.
Why, he isn't home every night, is
hep she cries out.
Yes, i be- says he. before could
speak. Wy. amt your husband%
NO she says, an she walked over
an stood lookin' down into the fire; an
then she says, very slow: I'd be the
happiest woman on earth if he was
We'll says he. lookin at her close,
he's home sometimes in the evenit',
.ain't hep
Don't you like POPCORN cries I.
jumpin' up quick, for l knew he never
was; an sure enough, her face was as
red as fire-an' if there want tears in
her eyes 1 don't know tears when
see 'em!"
He was my idee of perfectly model
husband" said Mrs. Gregg, sternly. 81
don't see how anybody can find it in
their heart to utter a word agen him"
Il amt a-utterin' q word agen him.
Mis- Gregg. I'm just tellin' you that
che was turable lonesome woman.
even if he did give her everything heart
could ask. That time after her baby
fied he stayed home with her every
erenin'-he didn't go downtown a-once,
not a-once-"
You got that seam most finished?"
demanded Mrs. Gregg, in n 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
L. A. Il
Well make some tea on the gas stove"
But it didn't last long" went on Mrs.
Medcalf. unmoved. I'm lessn two
weeks he had to run downtown just for
minute"
You like tea or coffee best, Mis- Med
caf? We can boil one as easy's the
other"
Tea. An his minutes KEEP gettin
longer and longer, an in less'n two
weeks mere"
I've got my seam all done, Mis- Med
ca'f. Ca-ha-ca-ha-ha," coughed Mrs.
Gregg. There, I'm ketchin' cold"
I'm 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 evenin's-"
Mrs Gregg arose suddenly, scraping
her chair back with rasping sound,
She went to tie sideboard. ca-ha-ca-ha-
ha-ing nciSily as she went. She came
back bearing heavy solid silver cake
tray in both hands. "Heft that she
said, sternly. Just heft it."
Mrs. Medcalf hefted it.
"Unh-hunh-solid," she said. briefly,
unimpressed $50 she took to comm
over TO my house 10 set little while.
with her white face and black dress,
looIlin' as sad
She paused and bent sideways to picl,
up her thimtie, which had fallen. But
Mrs. Gregg did not speak. She set tht
rake-tray in its place on the $500 side
board. She brushed some imaginary
dust off the embroidered cover with hel
hand. He. lying in the dark hall, OF
served her movements with that ur'
conscious interest in trivial thing:
which takes hold of one powerfully ii
folds of her white apron. aud stood fol
second irresolute. Then she returned
slowly 10 her chair and sal down will
look of utter defeat. Mrs. Medcalt
continued her story with irritating
complacence. Mrs. Gregg turned hel
face entirely away, and leaning he
head against the back Of the chair
closed her eyes and sat motionless, a.
if asleep. Mrs. Medcalf bad her il
nings, and she made the most of them
- especially on windy nights. wher
doors ratified an latches lifted up, sh
couldn't stay alone. So she used Il
come over and set there till bedtime
an then go home in the rain an dark
an go into that lonesome house al
alone-an' him down town without
habit"
Mrs Medcalf had finished; she arose
triumphant. She folded her worI
neatly and leisurely and laid it on tn
table. Then she pushed her needle int
it and laid her thimble on top of it
balancing it so 1t would not roll of
HIIe was a perfectly model husband.
she said then, initiating Mrs. Gregg
tone; but reckon she'll never be an
Ionesomer up in that windy graveyar
than size was here. Shall we go on
now an get some,hin' to eat?"
She went slowly out of the room
Mrs. Gregg arose with her lips set t.
al