The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-16
THE METAM0RPHOSIS
 OF LUCRETIA PEPPER
BY HOWARD DEvrNE.

! BY HOWARD DIVINE. | (Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col Samuel Hopeneld married Lucretis Pepper with his eyes wide open and de spite the warning and protest of all their | mutual friends. Indeed he married her
 despite her own fair warning. If ever marry" it had been her habit to declare with toss of her independent head. q. will be the commander in chief of the domestic establishment. Give ur my liberty to become the handmaid of g man? Catch me! If ever I marry, 1t will
 be understood that the ciinging vine idea will not prevail"
 These and many similar expressions elucidating her state of mind regarding matrimony had found utterance in the very presence of Samuel Hopefield as we'll as others of her acquaintance. So you can readily see that it was altogeth- CT his own fault if the marriage proved disappointing. Lucretia was honest and open and straightforward about 1t. and Samuel knew just what to expect. But when a man falls In love with a girl it is seldom indeed that he will heed warnings. And Lucretia certainly. was a most attractive girl, both as to person al attractions and graces of mind and character. t=a So Samuel shut his eyes. apparently, to the threatening aspect of her mind regarding the marriage relation and married her.
 The strange thing about it was he | showed no disappointment and the mar riage seemed as happy and peaceful as could be desired. The weeks sped, the honeymoon passed and while the world
 waited for the crash they were sure | would come. 1t came not at all. Lucretia apeared to be more and more affectionate | and tender toward Samuel until she be- l came positively deferentiaL At first, to be sure, she talked some to her friends in the old defiant strain. "I get no meals at all hours for my | man." she said to a group at the sew ing society one day. Sam gets home at six o'clock for supper or he gets only a cold pickup"
 But presently 1t was noticed that the Hopefields were having supper at any time from six to S:30. and the men re- ported that Samuel was the most care less man In town as to breaking away
 from business or pleasure to get home to meals
 Why, he'll start game of billiards after six" reported one of his cronies. And you ought to see the swell sup per he has when he gets home at any old time," broke in another. He dragged me home with him the other evening. Lucretia was not expecting company, but | everything was out of sight.
 "She always said she never would en- dure having company brought home | without warning" chorused several la- | dies present.
 'She was as sweet as a peach about 1t, !" | stoutly contended the man, land the
 perfect soul of hospitality
 Somebody asked Samuel about it one
 day. He looked surprised.
 Why, she's the sweetest dispositioned
 girl in the world" he said. Didn't you fellows know that. I knew 1t all along. '' | In orde rto understand the metomor-
 phosis of Lucretia Pepper under the
 Hopefield system 1t will be necessary to
 take the reader within the sacred circle
 of the Hopefield married life and lift the
 curtain upon a few events which were Ilandmarks In the lady's development.
 After the mystic words had been spok-
 en by the clergyman, which gave into
 Samuel Hopefields eager arms the faiH form of his desired Lucretia, and after the honeymoon trip was over, the pail settled down in a co8y little home, al
 spick and span new in furnishings-fur.
 nfshings which had been selected, need.
 less to say, by Lucretia, without so much
 as word of consultation with Samuel.
 Lucretia started in right, according tc tIfcOIloS OL WHdI SnOuIC be and how a man should be trained properly from the first. She laid down
 the rules of the household, very sweetly
 but very firmly. and the scehdule as tC
 hours for meals and the other regular
 events of domestic life.
 You know, Samuel" she said, 'it sim plif1es very greatly the work and man.
 agement of house if things move along
 methodically and according to a we'll
 defined system. It Is just as easy to
 form habits of punctuality and system If
 we start right. So am determined that we shall start right"
 Samuel listened with becoming meek
 ness and agreed with her thoroughly. The system was inaugurated, and all | went well for some days. Then one eVen- Ing Samuel was half hour late to SUD- per-was detained at the office, he ex-
 plained He found Lucretia just finish
 ing her evening meal grim and deter
 mined. Everything was cold. He seated
 himself at the table with Micawber-like
 cheerfulness, and tackled the cold and
 soggy victuals. all the time talking af- | fably. Lucretia was dignihed and un- | compromising.
 q am sorry that you were detained, | Samuel" she said, because we had such | good supper"
 "Oh, the supports all right" he replied. But I'm sorry on your account 1 was detained. I'm afraid 1t makes you more trouble"
 q can stand 1t if you can." she re- piled, grimly. as she poured him some lukewarm coffee.
 But Samuel refused to be an object of sympathy or to permit an atmosphere of embarrassment to gather. He rattled on in a most interesting manner. telling Lucretia interesting bits of gossip he had heard during the day, and equally interestog things that had happened at the office. She had never seen Samuel in such high spirits and found herself responding to his conversation. Once she was betrayed into a hearty laugh. the congealed white gravy surrounding 1t. the young husband tackled 1t with apparent zest..
 Where in the world do you buy such fine mutton chops, Lucretia?" he said. Mother never had such fine ones at home-and she had a reputation as a marketer. Or, is it the cooking? Some how there is flavor to them that is sim ply great"
 Lucretia gazed at him intently, but there was no suggestion of sarcasm in his voice or looks, and he was consum- ing the chops with a relish that defied suspicion. And he concluded hearty meal of cold and soggy things and wound up with a | - | C@nv~ J:~H,&sA 70