The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-12-25
FARMvILLE, VA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER %, 1908.
HIS TRYING ORDEAL.

HIS TRYING ORDEAL
George, we must entertain for Aun
Judith" said Mrs. Lawler at breakfas
one morning, as her husband, the ab
sent-minded musician. turned the cream
on the latest brand Of breakfast food
There was a inality in Mrs Lawler':
words that commanded her husband:
instant attention.
Must we?" he remarked, dolefully.
yes Aunt Judith will think It very
queer of us il we do not. There is nc
telling when she will come west again
and ! want her to carry a good impress
sion Of Chicago and Of us-of you-back
to Boston-to all the girls there, my old
friends They couldn't help thinking Il
odd, George. that you forgot the hour
of our wedding and came rushing in at
the last minute in your golf suit. It was
a little unusual. you must admit" she
added. icily.
Il want you 10 redeem yourself, she
continued. In a determined tone, IF I
could only be sure you would do Just
as ! say and not make matters worse"
MY dear Marion. I will do anything
you say. Don't always do what you
ask me to?" he asked, IN a grieyed
voice
well. then. listen. We must give
quite an affair-a reception, in fact
both afternoon and evening, in order
10 take in everybody-all our friends and
all your patrons and admirers. We must
do It in perfect form. We cannot con-
slider expense, George"
Lawler agreed.
"And, George. I do so want you 10 be
wide awake and do everything just
right"
"There'll be no carving. will there, my
dear?" he asked. meekly.
"Carvingl OF course not But you
always do something absurd and make
me vow never will entertain again.
don't want you to saunter of with Mr.
Brown for a smoke when you are needed
in the parors or 10 talk arias with Prof
Chaplin when the ladies need ices OF
play your own symphonies when the
soloists are to be accompanied. What
would Aunt Judith think7 want you
TO stand with me near the door and well
come all our guests and be there 10 bid
them good-by. Now. that Is easy. VIII
you do it?"
Lawler was fully awake TO the situa-
ton. MY dear" he said. Invite all the
guests you wish. promise to give them
my undivided attention"
The Lawler reception was a brilliant
success. Not thing went wrong from
start to finish. Lawler stood in the
agony Of full dress. high collar and sum-
mer heat and told people with an air
Of sincerity that he was delighted 10
see them" that be rejoiced TO know that !
they had enjoyed themselves" and, |
smiling. bowed them in and out. He |
grew faint and wan and weak and wilted, |
but he was on duty every minute.
Your husband Is simply charming"
Aunt Judith whispered 81 suppose you
entertain a great deal-you ought to,
with him to help you"
Mrs. Lawler smiled a little uncertain
y, for the day was not yet over. But at
as the door closed on the last
guest and Lawleer, limp and haggard,
ELL into a chair. his wife's eyes glowed
With tender pride. "You did beautifully,
she told him.
Lawler said nothing, but he wondered
Why he hadn't felt the need Of IA vacation
before. He decided to go to the coun-
ry at once.
All during the few hours Of sleep left
o him he was shaking hands and say
ng over and over again that Inans
,hrase: 80 delighted"
The next morning after a late break
asst Mrs. Lawler announced to her hus-
,and that she and Aunt Judith would 60
own-town with him. as they had some
hopping to do. They boarded a train
nd found seats IN the midst Of a party
# plcnickers Mrs. Lawler and Aunt
Judith we're still discussing the triumphs
4 the day before. Manlike, he couldn't I
ee why they didn't drop It. now that II
7as safely over. He lapsed into a semi
onscious state and soon a melody he
ad been working on for months took
Of him. II kept running ,
trough his head TO the accompaniment .
the creaking train till he could posi-
Ively hear Il executed on the piano II
e we're only at the studio at that mo-
lent he knew he could express the thing {
erfectlyl
His fingers began to play across HIS
nees as on a keyboard He hummed
1ftly. His head moved In perfect time, L
is feet tapping the floor. Il
"Georgel" his wife's voice broke {
larply upon him. He awoke from hls
-eams and with a dazed look sprang
, his feet Then his eyes lighted up.
2 smiled. bent low. extended his hand c
, the first party Of picnickers who had q
sen and were pushing past him toward
ie door.
Il am delighted to have seen you y
n so glad you enjoyed yourself; good =
ght," he said. with all the exactness 7
an automaton. 4
At first everybody stared. Mrs. Law
r. red with modification, seized his
at tails and drew him into the seat. o
unit Judith raised her lorgnette and =,
ed him in amazement hepicnickers :
geled outright-Chicago Daily News. )"
Ink il Antiseptic.
The Swiss government having not
lg ago issued an official warning sc
ainst the dangers lurking in the ink "
ed in schools. Dr. Heymann, Of the Sc
rgienic Institute OF Breslau, care M