Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-03-18
CHAPTER XIV.

Through the following year l followed
"Brer Rabbits" example and lay low >
although | did not give up any of my
club connections and managed TO attend
most of the meetings. But | never men
toned club matters at home, and my alb
sences were accounted for vaguely as
down town." | was home at all meals
except when invited out socially, as was
frequently the case. Joe was generally
pleased to have me dine or lunch at the
Parsons establishment or at any other
of what he termed the swells," and he
was not the first man who has INDUCED
the belief that his wife shed luster on
him by dining at places where he was
never invited. Poor Joe! ! suppose he
was what Mrs. Parsons would call i'm
possible" although | have seen rich men
in society with no more polished man
ners.
As l had no other escort, DR.. Haven,
who was usually invited to the same
places, fell into the habit of attending
me, and if it were not too late he would
come in for Il time. We were the best
of friends, and Philip never made further
reference to what might have been. Joe
liked him, and we took pew at st.
Sebastian's; which was one of the best
moves we ever made socially
And so matters went on quietly for a
year, my circle of desirable acquaintance
widening all the time. Business pros
pered, and the name of Joseph Henning
began to be well known at the banks and
elsewhere as a successful man.
The Good Government club. having
fulfilled its mission rather fell apart
after the city election when young
Perkins became mayor by a small ma
iority), and interest in it tagged. But
the Nota Bene hourished and waxed
great. the membership increasing from
five hundred to seven hundred and sixty.
Mrs Parsons took credit for this and
neglected no opportunity to say 50. She
would have been surprised. indeed had
she known of the growing discomfort and
desire for change of president But
clubs, like republics, are ungratefu. and
the woman who does most to make" a
club is usually rewarded by the removal
of her official head-sOmetimes in a most
summary fashion.
do not know that the idea of sue
ceeding her would have occurred to me
at that time had it not been for Minnie
Morrison. Since the Biennial she had
been in the habit of dropping in to lunch
whenever it happened to be convenient
Tor her. Sometimes this was pleasant
to me, as she always had the latest Cos
SIP and was not averse to telling it, and
although l could hardly respect her
methods, we grew into the sort of init
macy which some public women main
tam with the not prescriptions news
paper reporter
Well, | hear there is a great deal Of
dissatisfaction among the Nota Benes
with Mrs. Parsons rather strenuous rule.
There will be change this winter. with
an exciting campaign" she predicted one
day.
What makes you think ?" / asked.
FIRST, because the club is tired of
Inc Parsons regime; second, because Mrs.
PARSONS will not yield her supremacy
without struggle" was the response.
linen, as if an inspiration had flashed
upon her, Now is your chance, Jackie"
What do you meant" [ gasped in a
wave of enlightenment Not"
es. Why not 2" she flashed back
again. You are young, with a growing
popularity. You are a striking figure TO
be at the head of anything. and have ac-
CURED certain savoir faire that. com
olned with tact, will carry you triumph
ant through an exciting campaign.
salute the next president of the Nota
Benes7
But, l nurmured. at wouldn't be
agreeable to Mrs. Parsons
1 don't understand that il is for Mrs.
Parsons to appoint her successor" was
the answer Besides. if she once under
stands that change is really desired
by the club, she may have tact and sense
enough to come out and decline re-elec-
non. That would leave the way clear
for you"
but how Is it to be managed - asked
douotfully Il should scarcely want 10
electioncoT for myself"