The Savannah morning news., 1903-07-19
MRS. SIMPKINS' FAD.

my Dear Emma said Mr.. Simpkins,
wearily, perceiving the usual frown
settling upon his wife's brow; 'if you
would not worry so much over the
sewing and housekeeping you'd be a
much happier person" and, he added,
inaudibly, so would l." But Mrs.
Simpkins was so constituted that to
worry over trifles was as much as the
breath of life to her. This year, how
ever, even she used up all her superla-
tives' before the work incident to a
change of season was accomplished, and
so one day, says the Philadelphia
Ledger, when a friend dropped in,
cheerful and unconcerned as to all
| things earthly, she was moved from
sheer envy to ask the reason of this
| beatific condition.
Its simple enough, my dear; l be-
long to the Don't Worry Club-see my
button? l assure you, / never knew
what peace was until joined" Where
with she gave such a glowing and con-
vincing account of the whole scheme
that Mrs. S. actually proposed to read
the documents in the case at once.
A month has passed, and the new
convert was at the ether extreme of
her mental ladder. Like all recently
acquired fads, she had run it hard, and
yet to a casual observer the change
seemed for the better. for from fussy,
irritable woman she had become most
placid, good natured do-nothing. To be
sure, there were times when the chill
dren's clothing looked a trifie dilapi-
dated, and Mrs Simpkins' departed
frown seemed to have taken up its
abode on Mr.. SIS brow-and. to be
candid, there were several reasons why
it should be there.
Things domestic were about. at their
worst when Mr.. Simpkins' maiden sis
ter arrived for visit. In the past the
whole house would have been upset
for such an event. for Aunt Ann had
money to leave. But as the house was
already in that condition her coming
did not alter matters.
Now Miss Simpkins had reduced her
religion into the one simple formula of
do what you don't want to do and
you'll be blessed" Her sister-in-law,
knowing this peculia rity, considered that
Providence has sent her just that per-
son to do those things which she ought
not to do as a we'll regulated member
Of the Don't Worry Club. Consequent
ly, all the cares, and incidentally the
darning as we'll, were brought to Aunt
Ann as a means to furthering both
their principles of life.
Everything seemed to be running
most delightfully."- on these lines until
the friend who had convinced Mrs.
Simpkins of the error of her ways call
ed again, this time to see the guest.
She found her alone and busy-so busy,
indeed. that she was trifie short In
her replies and was evidently pretty
we'll worn out with other peoples cares.
Naturally, the enthusiast of the new
creed talked as she had talked in this
same place before, and quite as nat
urally she convinced her hearer of the
uselessness of worry, particularly when
it's not your own. The following day
Mrs Simpkins came cheerfully up the
stairs and laid a great pile of mending
before her sister-in-law.
There, DEAR that's just the sort of
work you do so we'll. and you are al
ways so good about it, too-for myself
it bothers me to death"
I'm sorry to be disobliging," answer
ed Miss Simpkins, rather awkwardly.
finding 1t hard 10 change all in a min
ute," but as 1 am feeling rather tired
and nervous to-day, and as could not
possibly accomplish all this without
worrying, ! cannot do it for-I've join
ed your club-this is my new button"
From that day Aunt Ann renounced
her previous beliefs and found her
greatest joy in trying to make others
see life as she herself now saw it.
After her departure things reached a
climax in the establishment. Mr..
Simpkins asserted his long unused au-
thority and commanded somebody to
take hold and relieve the strain. And
that was why Mrs. Simpkins had meek
ly to go back to the place which had
once known her. The badge Of her
brief freedom now bangles on the
baby's rattle and stares sarcastically
out at her with it's Don't Worry mot
to printed neatly in black letters on
celluloid background.
NJ. C. Almar.