Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-01-02
THE UNEXPECTED
BY MARY A. SAWYER.
Dear mel"

Mrs. Hamilton rose swiftly from
her seat at the sewing-machine and
hurried into the hall to answer the
telephone bell. A few moments later
she came back and resumed her work
"Dear mel" she said, again. "It is so
vexatious, when 1 told him this morn
ing that we had plenty of cold meat.
Partridges are dear now, too, for they
are out of season. And l did want to
get this dress of Gracie's done bstors
dark"
She stitched for few moments long
er. Then gathering up her work sh'
folded it away in her large work bas'
ket.
eff am to cook cartridges for sup
per, must have coal fire. So, "glanc'
ing at the clock, 81 must get it under
way at once. William is always pune
tual when he is bringing home any
thing he especially likes for his sup
per-"
She reproached herself for this re
mark almost instantly. "Of course he
likes a variety; why shouldn't he have
Il when he works hard to supply al
our need? He grudges me nothing
why should l be vexed over this little
extra cooking?"
Her annoyance was but temporary
therefore, and when she heard heI
husbands step in the hall she ran tC
the foot of the stairs and called to him
cheerfully:
Bring your partrluges down here
= William. I'm all ready for them, and
the fire is burning splendidly."
Receiving no reply she went back into
the kitchen. He had not heard her, but
he would be down directly, she said tc
herself. She went into the dining-roon
and turned the gas higher, He might
come through it, and it would not dc
for him to stumble against the table.
A few moments later her husband
Joined her. His voice was cold.
"Why are you down here" he said
In displeased tone.
81 wanted to be all ready for your
partridges. Where are they?"
'My cartridges? What do you mean
When did 1 say anything about par
tridges?"
"Not two hours ago. You called me
up, and said you would bring home
cartridges for supper. And so came
down to have everything in readiness
They can't be cooked in moment"
"You will not be troubled by them to-
night. l said nothing about par
tridges."
"You certainly did,"
"You are mistaken"
81 heard you distinctly. You said
'I said / intended to bring home
Partridge, George Partridge. And
must say 1 expected TO find you up
stairs instead of pottering around
down here"
"You must explain my mistake K
him. He is a sensible man. He will I'M
derstand why 1 was not there to re-
ceive him."
Mr.. Hamilton's face relaxed little
"Partridges Partridges! l cam
think how you could confound the
two!" he said.
81 thought 1 understood you, bu
never mind now. You must go back up
stairs at once. Send the children dow1
in few moments, please. I'm afraid
they are not quite tidy"
"Tidy!" in a Soice which brought 8
swift color into his wife's cheeks
"tidy! Well" moving toward the door
"I'll send them down and you must ge
off that calico dress"
"I'll change it before see him. Gt
up and stay with him, dol Unjust al
ter the table and get up differen
meal altogether"
\ "It seems as if a man never coult
bring home his friends and find things
as they ought to be-" muttered Mr.
[ Hamilton, leaving the room in eviden
; ill-temper.
Z At the close of the evening, after thu
departure of the guest, it became plair
to Mrs. Hamilton that his displeasurt
had not been materially lessened b.
the appetizing supper she had pre-
pared, nor by the pains she had taker
with her own personal appearance. HI
stopped suddenly before her, after
pacing up and down the room.
"When 1 bring home a man like
Partridge, a man of brains and educa
ton. it is strange you can't appear al
if YOU knew what he was talking about
If YOU don't know anything about his
tory, for PHYS sake, need you say so
I'd read until did know something i
were in your place!'
The tone, the words seemed bruta
TO MIS-. Hamilton. She controlled her
Self by a great effort.
II would like to read. Iwould Ike II
be thoroughly wellread woman. Blu
with the house and the children ant
the sewing and the cooking, real
cannot get the tips."
Fudge! NocsenSel Where Their
is a will, there is way"
''Not. always"
Mr. Hamilton resumed his restles
= pacing of the room. I'D md time y
know something about my own coun
try, i guess" he declared.
Mrs. Hamilton left the room quietly
There was .sill an hours work to b
done downstairs, she said.
'Fudgel Nonsense!" retorted he
husband.
A few evenings later Mr. Hamilton
came home to his supper at the usua
hour. He opened the door with hi
latchkey and found himself in an un
lighted hall.
"Claral" he called.
"Yes. What is it?'
"The gas isn't lighted, and the half
- =, r,onl-offD