Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-05-11
'PARkER'S
~
3v HELEN F. GRAVES


p
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
NJ dear, have you little money to
lY spare me this morning?I should
like to renew my subscription for my
short story weekly"
Money, my dear?" said Mr.. Parker,
rather snappishly. !"No, have not; and
besides, Mrs. Parker, it strikes me you
ought to pay that out of your own pri-
vate allowance, ma'am."
But you are as much interested In
the stories as am"
>"H'm-ha-that's no argument at all.
A. man picks up newspaper when he
hasn't anything else to do"
Mrs. Parker smiled a little to herself,
but she made no direct answer, and
went on with her sewing, while her hus-
band, having finished his after-break-
fast cigar. began to make preparations
for departure to his Office.
my dear, where are my clean stock
ings?"
'"In their place, suppose"
mo, they are not, Mrs. Parker; they
are down among the towels and pillow
cases. It's very strange that nothing
is ever in its place in this family"
That's rather sweeping assertion,
Septimus."
But it is true, nevertheless. don't
see why you can't all learn to be as par
ticular about putting things in their
places as am" ="
Really, was not aware that order
was one of your cardinal virtues, Sep
timus," said his wife, little mischiev-
ously.
IA place for everything, and every
thing in it's place'-that's my motto"
went on Mr.. Parker.
,,'1ndeed?" said the lady, demurely.
We'll, it strikes me have picked up
after you considerably during the last
two or three days.
"You are wrong there, Louisa.
would be willing to give you dollar for
everything of mine that you find out of
its place. That is, that have left out of
it's place. can't answer for four chill
dren and a kitten"
very we'll" said Mrs. Parker
calmly.
Il was brought up to be neat and me-
thodical about everything" resumed her
husband, land it does annoy me very
much to see things scattered around as
they are here. Well. good-by; shall be
home promptly at six, and Go hope the
leg of mutton won't be scorched as it
was last week"
Wait minute said Mrs. Parker.
"Are those slippers in front of the
hearth the kittens or the children 50"
Mr.. Parker flushed little.
Il must confess that forgot the Slip
pers this once"
''11l take dollar No. L." said his
wife, laughingly extending her hand
"Stay, though-you may as we'll
make it two-there is the stump of
a cigar on the mantelpiece. "A place
for everything. and everything in its
place. that's your -notto!"
well, fellow can't think of every
thing when he is hurried of in the
morning"
But l have earned my two dol
lars"
Il sup-pose-so," and Mr.. Parker
very unwillingly took out his purse
and "settled up" with his remorseless
little creditor.
He had not supposed she would be
in earnest about demanding the sum
he had so rashly named. But they
say that the gentlest creature will
turn upon it's tormentor sometimes,
and Mrs. Parker was tired of being
lectured upon the beauties of order
every time cologne bottle was found
out of it's place. or a pocket handker-
chief upside down in the bureau
drawer.
~::.Where is the newspaper, Louisa"
demanded Mr.. Parker that evening,
after dinner, as he stretched his slip
! pered feet comfortably toward the
bright blaze of the cannel-coal fire.
Il do hope that it has not fallen into
the hands of those yo,s~s vandals, the
children"
1T is where you left it this morning,
Septimus-crumpled up under the
lounge pillow"
Impossible, my dear. I always
fold it neatly, and lay it on the left
hand corner of the table,
'Then it must have got up and walked
away again, for no one but you has
touched that newspaper to-day" E
Septimus Parker rubbed his eyebrows
and looked confused
"Well. 1 must have been in deuce OF
4 hurry"
Il am in a deuce of hurry most of
nv time, Mr. Parker" said his wife,