The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-11
CHAPTER WI.

lated with the bacilli of the club fever
there is no help for her until the attack
has run its course; no great scientist
nas ySGt besn eTays enough = to aRP
germs. Those women who have had the
advantage Of social intercourse with
their kind have the disease mildly and
ratloDally;. but those Of US who have
been deprived of experience with the
world, especially those who. have, been.
duties exclusively, are hopeless cases
from the very, outset. And had been
thoroly inoculated.
True to her word, Mrs. Parsons had
given me a prominent place on the re-
ception committee, and. also on a
minor committee, where could have
social advantages without toe, much re:
days in the little fat over the store, I
now found that there were not waking
hours enough in the new house on the
Lake Front. Before we were fairly set
tied in our new home, T saw that it
would be impossible to keep up. with
my. home duties and the demands Of the
club: The first I was tied to; the sec
ond would not give up. So I sent to
Kansas for my mother, who-self -sacri-
fcing woman that she was-came pre-
pared to stay on indefinitely. Necessity
was beginning to be the mother of dip
lomacy with me, and did not tell Joe
that she was to remain, only that she
was to. visit us. And as his business
kept him away, more and more Of the
She was an excellent housekeeper and
fond Of children, and she had never
dwelt in city home with it's modern
improvements or enjoyed the doubtful
pleasure Of attempting to rule over
servant or two; Consequently, it was q
very easy matter to drop the reins Of
AS the days heightened and spring
in club matters and left every
Chicago clubs, both Of Which met week
ly,. I found myself in q vortex Of en-
gagements which I fondly. imagined
eral new gowns and hats, and 7 learned
the gentle art Of running UP bill at the
shops. a#
Never shall I forget the scene with
my husband when the first bill came in.
AS had no money, it had to be turned
over to him. which did with an as
sumed air Of careless gaiety. doubt
done it better. But it awaited nothing.
- tGreat Scott Johnnie!' he thun-
dered: ."Who gave you permission to
do this9 Are we SO poor that you: must
get trusteda Where is the allowance
give you7'' IA
eoes E Ff haya nd t hea
club dues and other expenses
Then he produced and displayed e.
choice variety Of strong words which I
had not discovered heretofore in his
neutrality-suspicious. which it may. not
woman s club idea. But he paid the
bill, and I was in no wise shaken in my
determination to shine in the club
world. That very afternoon I joined a
whist club, after which my time was
more fully occupied than ever.
Matters reached climax a few days
later. I had had an unusually. hard
Women who stay at home and devote
themselves to- caring for their house
hold do not fully comprehend the phrase
"hard work. - Only those who go deep
into the designations of committee work
can appreciate it's full significance.
I did not get down to breakfast I'M
Gle had a business engagement and
couldn It watt" said mother. He ate
his breakfast early. You were late home
last night.''
Yes., Our whist club, you know"
answered. :
1T really wanted to get home and get
to bed early, but one can't break up a
party. And I've so much to do today. ~
80 did hope you could stay home to-
day and help me fix that wrapper" said
mother. IT can It manage it alone"
.n,.No, not today, - was my answer,
with touch Of asperity. We pot
a committee meeting this morning and
another meeting at noon, and, by the
way, I sha mt be at home to lunch.
Della, you IL have to make me some
new coffee, and make itsstrong. This
ism t fit to drink
It was good and strong, mem, at
mai ap past as she urred to ba sefd the
but nothing tasted SO good as usual,