The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-07-20
MRS: SHANN0N'S:
EXPERIMENT :.
copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)
BY HILDA RICHMOND

morning." remarked John Shannon,
shaking out his napkin preparatory
TO enjoying the dainty meal his wife
nad prepared. "Cramer stopped me
On my way to the bank and asked me
if you would come down to the office
and help him out. 1t seems his stem
ographer is down with fever, and he's
rushed to death because he can't
teach a new girl just now. l told him
it was no use to ask you, but he in
sisted, SO you'll have to go through
the formality of refusing, I suppose,
just to satisfy the gentleman"
oh. John, must l say no.? You
can never realize how much I have
wanted to go back to my old work a
little while. Of course l enjoy my
home. but I get so tired of drudgery.
Wasn't it lovely Of Mr.. Cramer to
think I could do the work after being
out Of the Office for five years?" said
Mrs. Shannon, almost breathlessly.
Want to go back" said John, in
astonishment. You said you used to
get so tired of the work there, and
OF course I got tired, but the work
there was poetry beside the dreary
prose that occupies my time now" in
jerrupted Mrs. Shannon, hastily "A
three-dollar-a-week girl could do all
I'm doing and have plenty of leisure
time. Not that Id bother with a girl,
but when l think of the old days,
when | didn't have to worry whether
to order beef or pork for dinner, it
seems to me l didn't half realize my
blessings then. There was such a
sense Of freedom from all care about
it, but any housekeeper will tell you
She is fairly chained to her work, and
I've found it's true. l used to think
I had troubles in the Office, but I see
now it was mere play to the planning
and fussing necessary to keep house
Just So"
You know I don't approve of mar
ried women working away from home,
even in emergencies, said John Shan
non; but if you wish it so much, l
will not object seriously for few
days"
Dear. you make me perfectly
happy" said his wife running around
the table to kiss him.
He wants you this afternoon. if
you can possibly come. l thought you
were perfectly satisfied with house
keeping and my humble SELF
Now. John. don't be absurd. Of
course In satisfied with you, but, as
I said, I want change from this
grinding monotony. They say more
housekeepers go insane than any
other class OF people, and l can read:
lily see why it is true
"Anything in the letter-box?" in
quired Mrs. Shannon, opening doors
and windows to air the stuffy house on
her return from the Office one even
ing. I've been too busy to look.
John, won't you get cloth and dust
the furniture a little? The Blakes are
coming over to spend the evening,
and I've got to wash the dishes and
here I told Mrs. Blake I was back
at the Office, but she never said a
word about not coming. l should
think some women would learn a few
things, anyway, but they never do
An invitation to Mrs. Hunts re.
ception. letter from Bess and the
papers, announced Mr.. Shannon
coming in with the mail. what did
you say Dust the furniture? !
should say so,' and he vigorously per.
formed that task in about three min.
utes Isn't there something else ]
can do to help you?"
You might wipe the Dishes" sug
ges1ed Mrs. Shannon, nervously watch
ing the clock. II just know those
people will pounce down upon us like
George and Edna did last night These
are the dishes for three days, and you
would think the food had grown tc
the plates if you had to wash them
"Confound it ALL" exclaimed Mr.
Shannon, dropping a chop plate back
into the rinsing-pan and thereby ruin
ing his wife's cherished breakfast set
Why do YOU have your dishes burn
ing hot, Mollie?' and he shook his
scalded fingers as he danced around
the cluttered-up Kitchen
Anything but soft answer rose tt
Mrs. Shannons lips, but peal from
the door-bell sent husband and wife
to the parlor. where it was impossible
to show off, before the guests, who
seemed determined to make a visit
instead of mere call. Mrs. Shan
non felt like crying over her woes as
she chatted and laughed with Mrs
Flake, while Mr. Blake found his
friend preoccupied and not at all like
his usual SELF
"Of course you'll be at the reception
day after Tomorrow" said Mrs. Blake
when she and her husband at last
arose to go.
mo: we're so busy at the Office, IL
have to Decline" said Mrs. Shannon
quietly, though her husband knew i
cost her great deal to say this.
ooh, that tiresome Office. You usel
to be tied to it hand and foot years
ago, but surely now you can get away