The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-04-06
! mrs. DODD'S PERPLEXITY

sAe A1Ao. ottuna AosG 0Ptuca hct
eyes. Il guess I'll get right up" she
thought. Maybe I'll get chance TO
lay out some or them stripes before
breakfast"
She was a tall. portly woman and
moved slowly. so that IL took q long
time for her 20 dress: but when that
was accomplished. she set about max
Ing her bed. As she was putting the
finishing touches TO this, the rising.
bell rang. and the occupant of the
other bed In the room stirred sleepily,
and spoke In surprise:
Why, Mrs. Dodd. aren't you up
sarlyf" and az her eyes fell on the
others completed task. "Myl The
matrsn won't like your not airing
your bed longer
Mrs. Dodd snuffed. She won't ever
know II II you don't tell her. SamAn-
thy Wells"
oh. l sha'n't tell her." was the
hasty reply.
We'll. don't suppose you will. I
wanted to begin sewing My afghan"
knitting was Mrs. Dodd's delight.
Therefore. when she mad been COM
missioned by Mrs. waldron OF the
board Of managers to make an
afghan. she was jubilant.
NOW don't send me any of those
fady colors. she begged.
NO. indeed" answered Mrs. Wal.
dron. and the gaily tinted woods that
were sent showed that she shrewdiy
guessed the old womans preferences.
After the morning meal Mrs. Dodd
and Mrs. Wells returned TO their
rooms. Mrs. Dodd sank into n chair.
painting.
Mrs. Wells eyed her disappearing
~.
You're gaining nesr." she said.
You eat too much"
Il s'pose I do" acknowledged Mrs.
Dodd. Things taste awful good. but
I do feel terrible logy today, some.
how"
On recovering h,r breath. she took
the hright-colored rolls OF knitting
from the bureau. and spread them
out on the white counterpane. II
was q work Of time To arrange the
colcss In harmonizing rows. and then
all the inmates OF the Home were in
vited In to give an opla!cn before
Mrs. Dodd could begin her sewing.
Taken all In all, IL was q firing
day. and when the clock struck nine
that evening, both old women were
glad TO go to bed.
Mrs. Wells. being a nimble little
body, was soon in bed. while her
roommate still moved ponderously
about. She took OF her cap and laid
Il on the bureau. and unpinning her
breAstpin. thrust IL into her cushion.
Removing the counterpart, she fold
Cd II and placed II on a chair, turned
down blankets and sheet, and reached
under her pillow for her night-dress.
II was not there. She lifed the pill
low and felt vaguely over the surface
beneath IL. but in vain.
Where's my nightgown?" she
cried, sharply.
Il don't know" answered Mrs.
Wells. Isn't II under your pillow"
No. and II you've taken 1t for a
Joke" irascibly continued Mrs.
Dodd
"of course haven't I guess you
made II up in your bed this morning."
"oh, so I might Mrs. Dodd strip.
ped down the clothes from her couch.
but the missing article die not appear.
Look under the mattress" sug.
gested Mrs. Wells. Don't you re-
member the day you put your petit
coat under the mattress?"
II didn't turn II. ! was In such q
hurry, confessed the searcher.
Mrs. Dodd began spieading up the
clothes. but Mrs. Wells sprang out
Of bed, saying. Let me take one side.
Il doesn't seem. Sereny. as II you got
ahSsd much making tins up fore
breakfast"
Tho rules OF the house we're
Lights out and inmates IN bed at
nine thirty" /, was now ten minutes
later. and Miss Timpkins, the mat
!on. stood at the door.
What's the matter?" sic asked.
Mrs. Dodd did not speak, but Mrs.
Wells. who had jumped into bed, said,
SHE'S lost her nightgown."
Nonsense" responded Miss limp
kins. You can't lose your nightgown
IN a little room like this" She pick.
Cd up the pillow. looked under II and
into II, and with vigorous hand strip
ped the bed, saying. You've made II
mp In the bed
Mrs. Dsdd opened her mouth TO
speak, but Mrs. Wells shoek her head
warpingly.
You've turned II under your mat
lress, just as you did your petticoat
ut month" pursued Che matron,
briskly throwing over the mattress.
q" began Mrs. Dodd: but look
from her roommate kept her silent.
1T isn't around your bed, announc-
% the energetic matron, and she gag
% upward. as II expecting TO zee it
On the ceiling.
"you haven't 80. It on. have you.