Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-05-26

son, forgetting that Bunch was away
from home, tore across the hall like a
parental whirlwind
Would you prefer death by an ak OF
q shotgun, you little demon!" he yelled
as he ran.
The surprised piano tuner faced him
with a timid air, and Mrs. Wilson came
CALAMITY to the rescue
| Il wanted him to do it three weeks
ago." she explained, leading her amazed
husband back to the library, and omit
ting to add that she had failed to inform
the piano tuner of this desire until the
previous evening, land I've asked him
to hurry. He says he'll be through about
| six o'clock"
| Half an hour later Wilson, on the
verge of nervous prostration or mad
ness, went out for walk. The cold
lake wind got into his bones and his
Bunch, who ordinarily liked nothing
better than visiting Aunt Alice, had
wailingly refused to do SO as long as
his papa was at home. Bunch is an ex-
| ceptionally noisy youngster, and the
| older children, unable to continue the
| mornings repression Indefinitely, were
like SO many young steam engines. Mrs.
| unwontedly early hour.
Next day her Browning class met
with her, and Wilson stayed upstairs
all morning. Luncheon was good-Mrs.
Wilson prepared it herself, because
Jennie was irOning-but 1t was little
late, and Bunch chartered steadily
through it. In the afternoon there were
callers, and Wilson, caught lounging in
| the parlor, was sympathized with and
| pitied and offered grip remedies until
| he felt like committing murder.
The colored man, Charles, still peni-
tent over yesterdays mishap, had so
faithfully labored with the furnace that
the house was unbearably hot all even
ing. Bunch, unnoticed, stole away to
sit, bare-headed and coatless, on the
front step. Wilson was decidedly worse
by bed time, and in the night Bunch
had Group.
"You are having Ill luck with your
holiday" mourned Mrs. Wilson next
morning, looking from the breakfast
table, at which Wilson had insisted
upon appearing, to the driving sleet out
side. Then she privately telephoned
for the family physician to call before
noon.
Penny wise and pound foolish"
grumbled this fearless individual, writ
ing half a dozen prescriptions with grim
satisfaction. "Of course It's all right
from my point of view, If you'd rather
pay me and trained nurse than spend
money for railway fare and hotel bills.
But the trip south advised would prob
ably cost you less in the end"
Il won't be shipped off like miser-
able invalid" obstinately grumbled
Wilson. I'm not really sick at all, only
tired and little nervous, and I don't
right here If could only have little
quiet and peace"
But Mrs. Wilson and the doctor
smiled understandingly at one another
as the latter rearranged his sheaf OF
prescriptions, and 1t was noticeable that
Jennie had washed and ironed almost
every garment owned or worn by
Bunch. A sleepless night followed for
poor Wilson, and next day the plumber
appeared to fix the long neglected hall
radiator. He kept up an irritating tap
tap!" accompanied by a tuneless whis-
tie, until the head Of the household felt
that Kankakee yawned visibly before
him. Then Oracle, the musical member
of the family, remembered that her mu-
sic lesson had lacked attention since
Saturday, and began to practice chro-
matte scales with the hammer" touch
Mrs. Wilson, placidly doing embroid-
cry, distracted the child's attention
when the hunted look in her husbands
eyes threatened a nervous breakdown.
She darkened the room and did her best
to keep the house quiet. And before din
ner she sent Jamesy over to the home
Of Mr.. Briggs, Wilson's dear friend and
fellow sportsman, with a note. Mr..
Briggs, sworn, like Jamesy, to dead
silence, dropped in" informally that
evening and talked fishing and fine
weather until even CHEEKY Mrs. Wilson
sighed.
"Myl How I'd like to go down to Flor
ida again, and take Harpole," said Mr..
Briggs, with seeming innocence, and
mentioning the special contemporary
and friend Of Bunch who strongly re-
sembles him In point Of activity and
noise making. Nothing like healthy
child to rest brain tired with business!
I believe I'd start off tomorrow il had
a chance"
Wilson said nothing, but Mrs. Wilson
noticed that he looked rather wistful
and next morning she smiled to see him
consult the railroad column Of the
morning paper.
II couldn't very we'll go away Just
1ow," she smiled again, as he looked up
interrogatively, 'but could have Bunch
ready in half an hour"
And Wilson, surprised but too tired to
discuss the matter, was we'll off on his
journey before he began to wonder how
she knew so we'll what he had thought.
Chicago RecordHerald.