The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-01-02
A SLAVE
Also Mean Trick Played on a
Friend.

A hurried glance under the closely
drawn shade convinced Mrs. Owen
that this time, at least, it was a
neighbor who stood on her doorstep,
and not that silky person with some
thing to sell.
Come right in, Mrs. Smythe," said
Mrs. Owen, hospi ably.
The shades were drawn and /
was afraid you were away from home"
said her visitor, making herself COM
Portable.
mo, I put them down so l can
peek out when the bell rings. II it's
promoter or canvasser, l don't open
the door. They always persuade me
to buy against my own judgment. l
can't trust myself, SO don't take any
chances"
But i. you don't need the ar
ticle-"
But l can't get rid of them. They
either make me think that | can't do
without what they are selling, or they
work on my sympathies. The house is
full Of hair restorer and breakfast
foods, to say nothing of court plaster,
shoe strings and brooms."
But a woman Of your intelligence
would only buy what was worth the
money"
Mrs. Owen looked pleased.
Il wish ] was as good bargain
hunter as you, Mrs. Smythe."
When you are my age, my dear,
you will be a wonder. l just ran in
to tell you of the bargain | got yes
terday. It's a real snap. l SUBJ
scribed for some beautiful books-12
volumes at three dollars month,
printed on handmade paper and the
loveliest bindings"
I'VE don't need any books. l don't
get time to read. With housework and
the children's clothes"
That's just it, Mrs. Owen; you are
a slave to duty. believe in keeping
pace with my husbands brains. |
don't intend to forfeit his love by let
ting my intellect get rusty. Some
women don't care. They think their
husbands can't escape, and so they
neglect this great duty"
Mrs. Owen smiled pleasantly. She
felt no anxiety on that score.
II read in one of my new books
about the belfry in Brugges, and last
night when Mr.. Smythe looked bored
and restless | just opened a CONVEX
sation and steered 1t to the subject on
which l had been studying. He had
lots of interesting things to say, and
seemed so pleased to find me so well
informed. Now, If l hadn't those
books | might have been stupid, and
he'd have gone to the club instead
of having such a nice evening at
home A woman should not be a slave
to household duties. No wonder men
tire of their wives"
But Mr.. Owen never tires of me-"
That's just 1t. He will You
won't know it at first. 1t creeps like
a little serpent
MY goodness! you don't mean to
say"
Yes, do. Unless you keep posted
on what's doing in the world as a
man does, it is bound to come. l
read about man who loved his wife
for ten years and as she became oc
cupied with her household affairs he
began going to the theaters-and he
met another woman"
"Oh, Mrs. Smythe, you brighten me!
What if my husband should be led
astray that way?'
Il don't want to make you uneasy
but If you won't do anything to
preyent-well, there's no telling"
What can | do? Please advise me.
1t would kill me to lose him! We
are all the world to each other"
Yes, now, while you are young,
and pretty. But some time he will
tire of you and your petty troubles"
rising to go.
20, Mrs. Smythe, don't 60 yet You
have not told me what to do. Don't
leave me with this awful tragedy star
ing me in the face"
People seldom take advice-that' S
for their good"
"Tll take anything that you say"
If you would read"
"Ill study night and day"
Its only necessary to keep little
ahead Of your husband-and turn the
conversation into the proper channel.
Those books Of mine have little of
everything select-but, perhaps, you'd
rather select your own reading?"
mo, no, l want the kind you
have"
"Ahem! l suppose l could
20, will you lend"
Il was going to say l could sell you
| mine Or
Il cant take yours. You might not
| be able to get more at that price.
Do you know the agents name? I'll
go right out and look for him"
Il am glad you realize what fam
| lily blessing those books are. l have
| just taken the agency for them"
How smart of you! Isn't it nice
| to help your husband? I'll pay you
the cash and not bother with the
| monthly inStallmentS"