The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-01-02
MRS. SHANNON'S
EXPERIMENT
copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)
By HILDA RICHMOND


"Such an odd thing happened this
morning" remarked John Shannon,
shaking out his napkin preparatory
to enjoying the dainty meal his wife
had prepared. 'Cramer stopped me
on my way to the ba1k 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. | told him
it was no use TO ask you, but he in
sisted, so you'll have to go through
the formality of refusing, | suppose,
just to satisfy the gentleman.
"Ch. John, must | say no? You
can never realize how much | have
wanted to go back to my old work a
little while. OF course | enjoy my
home, but | get SO tired of drudgery.
Wasn't it lovely of MI Cramer to
think | 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 | got tired, but the work
there was poetry beside the dreary
prose that occupies my time now" in
terrupted 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 | think of the old days,
when | didn't have to worry whether
to order beef or pork for dinner, it
seems to me | didn't lfalf realize my
blessings then. There was such
sense of freedom from all care about
it, but any housekeeEer will tell you
she is fairly chained to her work, and
I've found it's true | used to think
l had troubles in the office, but | see
now it was mere play to the planning
and fussing necessary to keep house
Just So"
You know l 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 a 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. | thought you
were perfectly satisfied with house
keeping and my humble SELF
Now, John, don't be absurd Of
course I'm satisfied with you, but, as
l said, l want a change from this
grinding monotony. They say more
housekeepers go insane. than any
other class of people, and 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 a 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
prepare for breakfast before they get
here. l told Mrs. Blake l was back
at the Office, but she never said
word about not coming. l should
think some women would learn few
things, anyway, but they never do"
can invitation to Mrs. Hunts re-
ception, a letter from Bess and the
papers," announced Mr.. Shannon,
coming in with the mail What did
you say? Dust the furniture? I
should say So" and he vigorously per-
formed that task in about three min
utes. isn't there something else I
can do to help yOu?"
"You might wipe the Dishes" sug-
gested Mrs. Shannon, nervously watch
ing the clock. 81 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 tha food nod orown to