Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-09-07
MRS. PEABoDWs JOYOUS FILING.

lican.-Mrs. Peabody took the puffy
loaves Of bread from the gasoline
oven. She tapped each one sympa-
thetically on top to see II 1t was done,
then she turned II bottom upward on
the baking pan, first treating the bot
tom in the same manner. Then she
wrapped them cozily in several thick.
Eesses Of white cloth, closed the oven
door, turned off"the fame, and saying
with a weary sigh, well, that's done
anyway" turned to tho open door.
Outside In the furious March wind
Of the prairie she could see the bent
figure OF boy, toilIng along the road
with n huge coffee boiler under his
arm.
"Rlornin,' Mis- Peabody" he said, as
he stopped at the kitchen door, ma
sent back this boiler you and her used
at the social; said she's offul sorry
bout that dent and hole, said she'd
give 10 cents II you'd chip In 10, to
get It mended. Here It's" and he
handed out tho money and the kettle.
Mrs. Peabody half took the kettle,
NilJh Bihhith NJ Nhp
pocketbook on the clock shelf and
said
We'll Tommy, you just run up to
Mr.. Peabody at tho shop, an tell him
! wish he'd give you ten cents, and
then you take II to the timer. Yes
she continued in a more hearty tone
"oh, yes, course I'll help pay for It."
The boy shifted his burden to his
shoulder and went off whlstling and
drumming on the kettle as he went
and the woman turned back and went
to her sewing machine with n dlseon.
tented look.
Outside the wind whirled and howl
ed as only a prairie wind can, and It
worked on the weary nerves OF the
weary woman until she was glad to
get up and answer knock al the
door. In the sunshine stood n girl
with n pail Of dandelIon greens on'her
arm. MY sakos, Mandy" exclaimed
Mrs. Peabody, why amt you at
SCHOOL,"
well, you know, Mis- Peabody. my
mar ain't as well off as you are She
amt got no man to pervlde her with |
all tho spending money she wants, 30
I'm stayln home to cut greens, you
know we planted 'em two years ago
didn't your I'm selling 'em. Don't
YOU want some? | on sci you nice
mess for 15 cents.--a good big one"
Mrs Peabody thoughtfully ran her
fingers through the greens and then
said slowly, why, yes, Mandy,
guess ! would kinder like some be-
lieve they'd 20 kinder good. This Ia
an awful hard time o. year to get any
thing good to cat; but land she went
through the pretense OF searching the
fiat pocket-book) I'm afraid amt got
the change today. Would you Just as
soon stop at the shop and asK Abram
for IL? If you want to do that you
may put 'em in this pan. guess I'll
put 'em right on an have 'em for din.
nef."
"oh, Mandy" she called, as the girl
went out the gate, why cant you go
to the store for me as you come back? |
Just get me bolt of finishing braid, |
Will you, an tell Dick Start to charge
it"
She turned back to the house, carry. |
Ing n rake she had found In the yard, |
She stepped on her husbands over.
shoes In tho entry. and by the time
she reached her machine, had so com.
pletely lost temper that she gave the
footstdNl vigorous kick. I'm tired |
OF It all," she said, "I'm tired to death
OF never havin' no money--and my
husbands about the best off man in
town, too. wish to heaven | had 25 |
cents of my own, ! wish | had Just
81 cents week that could put my
hand on. without aslSin' him! Charge,
charge, charge, and go TO Abe. 20 to
Abe, go to Abe, till might rs wen be
any other beggar!" And her head
went down on the sowing.machine
and savage wave of impotent wrath,
such as no man has ever cause to feel,
flooded her poor tired mind
But after while Mrs. Peabody rose,
hathed her eyes ard went about the
dinner, When pa and the children
and the village teacher came home,
everything to nm unthoughtful oye was
Ms usual. While Mr.. Peabody stumpod
around the kitchen ut his midday toilet
he varied the usual program of towel
rubbing and comb ilourishlug to de
tail plan on foot TO help poor
widow whose husband had been n
member of HIS lodge He had that
morning subscribed $40. CHS wife
furtiyely glanced up at her empty
purse) He clapped his wife jovially
on the shoulder, with why Sis you
cd married wcmen won't be in II with
the widow, Il subscriptions keep com.
ing in"
Susie" said the teacher, "1'n tell
you what I'll do. When the o'clock
train comes in. II youll o UP aftor
my mail I'll give YOU a nickel Mrs.
Peabody you lie right down on that
lounge and talk to me, while take
run at the dish.washing, You're MI