The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-07-06
COMEDY OF
A SICK FRIEND

set look on his face, like a man who
contemplates an unpleasant crisis In
his career and yet is trying to per
suade himself that he doesn't care
hang anyhow. And to his surprise
his little wife ran right up and
kissed him.
Your slippers are by the side Of
the Morris chair, John" she cried;
"dinner will be ready In minutel"
And then fear frizzled him and
discontinue dished him and he
moodily regarded his slippered toes
and once more rehearsed the inge-
nious excuse about sick friend
which he had framed up to deceive
his loving wife and to explain the
scandalously late hour and condi-
tion In which he had returned home
the night before.
"Now!" che cried (bringing in the
steak and onions). Now, john"
And up John got and took his
rightful place at the head OF the table
and solemnly cut the steak and
spooned the fried onions.
John" she began, last night"
His fourth thought: Here II
comes!" And then aloud: "It was
sick friend!" he mumbled with his
mouth full Of fried onions).
John" she continued (as though
she had not heard him), Mrs. Rob
bins called last night"
"Oh7" he asked, with a sigh OF re-
lief, and he clutched with avidity at
this frail conversational straw,
Robbins, eh7 All! Mrs. Thomas
Robbins! / remember Tommy when
he was boy. I've sat up with him
In nearly all his sicknesses," he re-
marked with emotion land not with
out inspiration). And he's sat up
with me! And so Mrs. Robbins
called, eh? Well, WE'LL"
YES" she said, And she had her
new silk petticoat on"
HUH" said he. II do hate to see
woman showing offi%t
"Oh, she wasn't showing of,
john" she cried. ~ couldn't help
but notice them, you know"
But she must have shown you
the petticoat" grumbled John.
NO" she replied. I heard It rus
tie. and when she sat down
looked!"
And suddenly she became listless
"I see," said John, that the Rus
SLAMS haven't met the Japanese feet
yet"
"Oh!" she remarked--very list
lessly. 3D.
Whereupon John applied himself
to his food stolidly, silently, biting
his bread with deliberate precision,
formally pointing each little finger
into the air as he handled his knife
and fork, blinking his eyes as he
drank his water and trying to make
himself believe that his dear little
wife was not looking at him accus-
ingly. ~
Ibid she look we'll in IT." he in
quired (quite husky)
"Who, John dear?" she asked, and
perhaps she sighed-the least faint
echo Of a sigh.
MRS. Robbins he replied with
additional huskiness.)
"Oh, fne!" she exclaimed (speak-
ing now with animation) "Sne
had on her gold watch and chain,
too! Not half such nice one as
mine, thought"
And you shall have a new silk
dress too!" cried John-the guilt
stricken John-the proud John.
"And you won't stay out late to-
night, will you, John?" she coaxed
him. ~ was so worried last night"
"A sick friend" began John, mum
bling.
Mrs. Stafford was In to-day" she
interrupted him.
His fifth thought:
'I'll bet that woman made Stat
ford tell her everything! That's the
last time I'll ever go out with hen
pecked mani"
And then aloud.
did she tell your" hesitated
John.
She smilingly nodded and placed
the lobster salad on the table,
And did she tell you about the
policeman too?" insisted John, now
determined upon making a clean
breast OF It. yes? And about the
,abman? And how he upset his han
iom because he smashed Reddy's
new plug hat? Yes? And after all
this you go ahead and get nice din
ner ready for me-fried onions and
lobster salad--and never nag me,
and-and nd'-And once again John
banged his fist upon the table.
While you're about It," he cried,
you just buy yourself hat and