Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-03-31
HIS SHAMEFUL STRATEGY.
Wanted Mrs. Bighead to Have Some
Company, but She Was suspicious.

Wanted Mrs. Bfghead to Have Some
Company, bat She Was suspicious.
There was evidently something on
his mind, for he did not even notice
that the coffee was cold and that the
cook and the housemaid were quarrel
ing audibly in the kitchen.
''It can't be the dressmaker's BILL"
unused the wife, "for she has only sent
it to me twice as yet; it will only go
to his Office as a last resort. Any
how, IL 1t is anything. unpleasant he'll
speak Of it soon enough" and she
poured herself another cup of tea.
which was hot.
At last he spoke "By the way, my
dear. it seems rather dreary for you
alone all day in this large house. How
should you like a visitor this win
ter?"
Whatever put such an idea into
your mind, Clarence Bighead? I'm
sure 1 have no time to spend in in
venting amusements for girl who
would make me stranger In my own
parlor. To be sure, Helen Is engaged,
and by coughing every time l come
into the room-but, then, I've made
all those lovely new sofa pillows.
can't have them ruined. Then there
Is Efie-look here, Clarence, had you
any one in particular in your mind"
Mr.. Bighead looked alarmed. mot
at all, assure you-that is, l mean
er-the lady / had in mind is quite
middle-aged-elderly, in fact"
Mrs. Bighead stiffened. "It Is quite
impossible. In the first place, the
guest chamber isn't fit to be seen and,
anyhow. don't want anybody to sleep
in that lovely bed. 1t would spoil the
set Of pillows. Besides, shall be too
busy to talk to anybody this winter;
the house takes up all my time"
But what I was thinking was that
you might be glad of a little help in
your housekeeping"
THAT Is just where you are mis-
taken, Clarence Bighead. When I want
any interference in my domestic af-
fairs I'll let you know. Oh, yes, I
know just how much she would enjoy
putting a finger into my pie"
"You quite surprise me, my dear.
Still, you must know her better than
l."
THAT Is the first time since our
marriage that you have shown any ap-
probation of my Judgment. I'm glad
you've learned it's value at last"
"Oh, well, l only thought to give
you pleasure"
"Great pleasure, I'm sure. I only
hope you haven't already invited her.
If you have, 1 give you fair warning
l shall just expose myself to smallpox
and have the house quarantined, SO
she can't come"
"Of course I haven't asked her. 1
thought I'd just suggest it, lest you
didn't like to, and you'd enjoy asking
her yourself"
"And enjoy hearing all winter how
she brought up ten children without
ever sealskin jacket or ever going to
balls or parties of any kind"
Really, was not aware that you
"Of course you were not aware of
anything Well, I'll not have any
company this winter, that's final. I'm
going to fit up the guest chamber as
a private gymnasium and I'll have no
room for any one"
''Very well, then, that settles it;
we'n say no more about it. I wasn't
overanxious for it myself" He was
struggling into his coat as he spoke.
II only thought you might like to ask
your mother down for little visit"
Mrs. Bighead gasped. "Oh, Clar-
encev' she gasped, my mother!
thought you were thinking of your
own mother. Certainly, of course. it
will be very"
But he was already far enough down
the street, says the New York Times,
to be out of earshot.