Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-07-06
IN THE SUBURBS

flat that | want to live in the sub
urbs, but the doctor says we both
need change" concluded Mrs. Perry
Thorne, who was making her first
plea for country life. "And, oh,
Perry, / know of such dear cot
tage, one of a row. Mrs. Smcad has
one in the same row, and she told
me about ours. 1t is the southwest
corner house, while hers is the
southeast. Isn't it strange, Perry,
that | have never been introduced
to Mr.. Smead? l wouldn't believe
there was any such person if l had
not seen him."
Nothing strange about it,"
growled Perry, in what his wife
called his bulldog" voice. 81 sup
pose YOU want to know him because
he has the reputation of being a
lady killer"
perry"
Il am told by fellows we both
know that he prides himself on his
beauty"
A week later both families were
settled in the row which fronted a
street and a railroad track and was
eouidistant from two depotS.
Mr.. Smead did not take as kindly
to the change as Perry Thorne did
but he told his wife thoughtlesslJ
that one good feature of suburban
life was having the ThorneS fol
neighbors.
"Where have you ever met Mrs
Thorne?" asked his wife suspicious
ly.
Don't know her from Adam, m.
dear, but isn't she your friend, ant
haven't | heard her praises suns
ever since we were married"
"H'ml We have a calling &C
ouaintance, and now that we are t
be neighbors | suppose you vii
meet. But you are so susceptible
and she is so giddy | just know yo'
will set people talking"
Great Caesar, Laura You Civ
your best friend great send oil.
susceptible and she giddyl W
must be made for each other"
Mrs. Smead looked volumes a
her handsome husband, but wher
is the man who does not enjoy be
ing a bone of contention among HI
women folk, and if Smead had
special and particular virtue 1t wa
that of being good natured.
Mrs. Smead, like the woman c
history, had two treasures-h(
: sewing machine and her husband
and she drew the line at lendln
either, and if people wanted to ca
her selfish they might. Fortified b
this law, she rented the southwe'
cottage.
A great throng Of people was hu
rying homeward, and all bore tt
happy burdens of Saturday night
new shoes for the feet of the hit
! burden bearers, a new bonnet Il
: mother, the Sunday dinner-ar
among them Perry Thorne al
i. Amos Smead, who had struck up
d neighbors' acquaintance and we
now Fastening to the same tran
! going out to their suburban HON
+ for their first Sabbath of rest. Th'
were both laden to the ears WI
o brown paper packages and had Ju
d time to make the train after pu
chasing their Communication tickeI
They went Looping through the gat
in approved suburban style al
u caught on just as the train NOV
n out, and then Perry shouted IN
n voice that sounded above the 70
II of escaping steam:
= "We'vc left our Sunday dine
\ on the window stand of the tick
=. office, You 90 on, Smead, and
c take tho next train out"
It Io swung himself clear OF t
i train, turned a somersault Il
waved call right to Smcad, W
n moppcd the cinders and perSpl'
h. ton from his face and remarked
'e the man standing next to HIM N
N friendly way:
IN "Nice way to spend the SUNNI
Of living in the suburbs =
H. eyes, if You don't care what y
vs say" growled the man.
y, 70 Then Smead took bit of pas
be board from his pocket and BEG
is to study it.
IS Southeast corner, Terrace re
70 Oakland"
m Smead asked his gruif nelghl
IA, if he got off at that station.
If "No, don't" said the mi
Is "You couldn't hire me to live
n n% that swamp. | go out ten mi
Is farther, where you don't have
~ sift the atmosphere to keep.
ny mosquitoes from choking you.
That sounded discouraSlng,
nh Smcad was not anxious to ride
- miles farther on an accommodate
l:a 4La4 olouad ~ for avprN Z