Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-09-28
The HumbIine
OF Jane
BY BELLE MANDATES
Copyright, 1904, by Belle Maniates

Titus ivy, meek, underSlZed man,
responded to the summons and stood
INTERESTINGLY before his daughter while,
in accordance with her biweekly Gus
tom, she prepared him for his trip to
town. First she deftly folded muller
about his neck, buttoned his great
coat snugly over it and then put on his
cap, tying the earlaps in place. She
next handed him the memorandum for
groceries and letter to mail, with in
structions to carry it in his hand all
the way ''lest he forget
When he had taken his seat in the
wagon amid the molasses jug, kero-
sene can and butter crooks, she put a
soapstone at his feet and tucked about
him a heavy blanket shawl in lieu of
a lap robe, albeit the day was bright
and sparkling.
When he had driven away she went
serenely into the house to put the fin
fishing touches to the toilet of her sis
ter Rose, a girl of fourteen years Rose
did not submit to her costuming as
meekly as her father had done. She
pouted at the hanging braids of hair,
bucked against the white apron and
begged for dip to her blouse. Jane
authoritatively silenced and overruled
lenly to school.
For five years, since the death of her
mother, Jane had held a tight rein over
the household, and its members were
strictly under Jane rule. She was a
woman of convictions. One of them
was that her duty clearly lay in man.
aging the affairs Of others. People
were afraid of Jane. They submitted
to her domineering or avoided it.
There lived a man on an adjoining
farm, however, who was not afraid of
Jane For some time he had resolved
to introduce her to her true self, and
he had chosen this morning to do it.
He appeared amid the pots and kettles
and Jane.
Drop your work. Jane, and sit
down. | want to talk to you"
"Well, Joel, / guess you'll have to
choose some other time for visiting.
I'm no lady of leisure. This is my
time to work"
Jane" said Joel, with a new, quiet
ring in his voice. you are going to
listen to me now. l have waited your
convenience just as long as / am go
ing to-"
James nostrils dilated dangerously,
but her heart beat faster than it ever
had before, although she had kept
company" with Joel for six years.
Joel Dixon" she replied, swapping
off her words as If she were biting
thread, that isn't the tone to take
with me. 1t doesn't go! l have no
time to listen to you now"
Joels stock of patience had endured
for six years. 1t was now exhausted
He recalled the vision he had encoun-
tered on his way hither of Titus Tivy
driving to town. He gave Il short
laugh at the recollection, squared his
shoulders for action and crossed the
kitchen to Jane. He took the dshcloth
from her, threw it on the floor and TAX
ing her arm, marched her into the sit
ting room and seated her on the plush
sofa.
Now Wen talk business" he said
decisively.
Jane was silent from sheer surprise
but into her being were inoculated
the germs of fear, respect and liking
for Joel-tiny germs, it is true, but des-
tined to flourish.
II have waited six years for you to
name the day, Jane. If you don't do
it, shall. After your mothers death
il was reasonable to eX { to wait q
year or maybe two, but I'll wait no
longer"
Jane was returning to her normal
condition.
I'VE must wait year." she decreed.
THE mortgage will be paid then. Rose
will be through school,"
you'll marry me month from to-
day or not at all" he said composedly.
Jane jumped to her feet.
Indeed. Well, am not going to be
forced or threatened by you. Joel Dix
or, I'll not marry you until see fit!'
Jane" he replied coolly, you are
acting under the mistake of thinking
you are necessary to your father and
Rose. They'd get along great deal
better without you-or more to their
liking anyway"
What do you means" she cried in
surprise.
What / say. You haven't been so
successful running things here as you
think, and there's going to be no petit
coat rule at my house. Today's We'd
nesday. You just think over what
have said, and Saturday about this
time III come over again and prove up
what | said"
Having thus spoken, Joel departed
and Jane returned to the distracted
washing of dishes with new food for
thought.
When her father was unfolding the
Wingville Weekly that afternoon she
astonished him by saying
PA, haven't | managed the house
well and kept up things since ma
died Z"
Titus Tivy peered at her over his
spectacles and paper. He did not an
swer with the alacrity she had expect
ed
"Well, Jane" he finally said, II guess
l.