The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-26
ALL ON ACCOUNT OFFATHER
BY SUSAN HEARLE THOMAS.
A Christmas Story.

BY SUSAN HEARLE THOMAS. SCopyright, 1905. Daily Story Pub. COL Mother had been all stirred up this week. I had heard her talking about Mrs. Fleet this, and Mrs. Fleet that, but I didn't know what she meant. did know that Mrs Fleet was an old sweetheart of fathers, because i've heard mother say that over and over again, and she's always telling nm he ought to have married her. Sne was talking that way this afternoon.
 And mother was fussing 2wtuily bout being so poor. She said. .t s all on account of father we're so, II ne just thought little bit more about money he'd make more, but he don put a proper value on it. He Just thinks long as we've got enough to eaS and drink it's all right. but 1t 'tisn't t.
 And while she was talking that way father came in. He looked pleased about something, kind of smiling 10 himself. but when he saw how uiother was he stopped smiling and just went over to the register to get warm cause it's awful cold bout Christmas time and this was the day before.
 Fathers lots better company than mother cause he never grumbles. He can chew away on a crust and smile like it was ice cream and cake, and when he's done that, he whistles. They always quarreis before me cause 'spose I don't count. If there were a whole parcel of us 1t might De dif- ferent.
 After mother scolded, father looked sort of sad like he thought everything was his fault. Then he began to hum he's got a tune that never ends, which mother don't like, but he hummed low Now when mothers mad it aggravates her dreadfully to have him do this.
 Why don't you say something stead of sitting there making noise like an old bumble-bee?" she says. T saw Mrs. Fleet just now,' he said not looking at mother. Mothers, face got awful red and she just slammed her sewing down.
 Don't talk to me about that wo- man. You don't seem to be able to get her off your thoughts now she's here So that's what you've been doing this afternoon! That's the reason you looked so pleased"
 But he wasn't looking a bit pleased
 Its a pity you didn't get her in stead of me. You'd have had all tho money you wanted to spend and more besides if you could have got her Mothers black eyes were just like fire. It's very funny she always gets that way when she talks about Mrs Fleet
 She was very pleasant and polite asked after you and -"
 And what'd you say? Tell her W. . were as poor as dirt. and twas all or account of you.'
 Mother never would have said sucf a mean thing as that right to his fact if she hadn't been all stirred up ovel Mrs. Fleet.
 Father sighed. I just felt real sorry for him and I believe mother did, too in her heart. When he sighs it mean: lots more than when other people sigh.
 T wish I had a thousand dollars tC give you, Clara" --.:-
 Well, you never will have it SC whats the use of wishing?" mother snapped. ....
 Maybe I'll have it some day ant I'll divide even,' put in.
 You, You're too much like youl father; you'll never have a cent either unless you're more lucky than he wa. and you can get a rich lady to smil. on you.'
 Who did he try to get. mother You mean Mrs. Fleet?" But that made mother look at father like she coult cut his head right off, so I slid up tt him. Then mother looked as if sh' was going to cry. T wish I'd never hear her name again. She just make! me miserable all the time"
 I'm sorry for that, because sh' says she Is coming to see you. Now Clara, don't be a goose. Maybe sh, won't come"
 But hoped she would. I wanted tt see this rich woman who had such z