The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-11-24
WHY NOBODY CALLED

,oiier preparatory to doing the fam
~ washing. IT was rather late. for
ne baby was cross; and little Lottie
lad had the earache during the night,
20 the mother had lost a good deal Of
ieeded rest on that account.
On the morning in question she had
luFt Put the clothes into the boiler.
When she beheld her nearest neiphbor.
Mrs. Dean, coming through the front
gate, a roll of fancy work in her
hands. She g%roaned inwardly as she
opened the door, but forced "a smile Of
welcome.
Washing, I see," exclaimed the
'aller, noticing the tub through the
open door. Strange you always'wash
on Monday. Now, ! never wash ex-
eept when the spirit moves me-"
well. you might stay at home and
let those who want TO wash on Monday
do So" thought Mrs. Stevens. But she
did not say so.
Don't let me hinder YOU" contin-
ued Mrs. Dean. 81 brought some work
with me, and ] will sit here by the win
dow for awhile, Put the baby down
on the floor, and I will watch him"
Mrs Stevens sat the baby on the car
pet in silence, and surrounding it with
playthings, went back to her work.
She was not left uninterrupted for
long at a time. Mrs. Dean had Il great
many things to discuss, and Il little
gossiping to do, and she was often
obliged to pause in her work to listen
or to reply.
Dear me! how late 7 have stayed"
Mrs. Dean exclaimed, glancing at the
clock, at a quartz after eleven. But"
she added, 81 am all alone to-day. and
so have no dinner to get. l can take a
lunch when | get hungry"
You are very fortunate" replied
her hostess, as she prepared dinner,
for her husband and the children
would be home at noon, and all would
have good appetites. Her caller
showed no disposition to go till the
family assembled, and the meal was
ready; then, Of course, she was inyi-
ted to stay.
81 don't know but I will" she de-
clared. 1T will save cooking a meal
just for myself. And besides, l do
hate to eat alone. One does so enjoy
a good change of cooking once in
awhile" she added, when she wasseat-
ed at the table, "and your eggs and
butter are always fresh, which is more
than one can say Of the things got at
the store"
Mrs. Stevens face should have
beamed with pleasure at this an
nouncement. no doubt, but somehow it
did not. Perhaps she had heard it too
many times before from the same
ource to be gratiied.
MY wife seldom has a chance to
find out whether she enjoys a change
of cooking" remarked Mr.. Stevens.
at seems impossible for her to get out
even for a walk. She is tied down to
her work."
MA doesn't have a chance to get
away" spoke up ten-year-old Jack,
+" cause there's some one here all the
time"
Mrs. Dean took her departure while
Mrs. Stevens was washing the Gishes.
But she called the next day twice on
"a AihAhE tildhAt anu NHbllNlt h
for a half hour or 50 each time. The
next day, and the next, and so on
throughout the week, Mrs. Stevens
was interrupted by callers, and by
people who ran in for Il few minutes,
just 10 borrow something to save a
to town." until in her despair she
gave vent to her annoyance in the Sc
,lusiOn Of the family circle
II have so much sewing to do next
she complained. that if l am
much longer so constantly interrupt
ID Go not know what | shall do"
She was not interrupted again, for
the next week not a soul came
rear the house. Once or twice she
quite sure She had seen a neigh
DOR approach the gate, but when She
ooked again no one could be seen.
Several times a day she started at
.ume noise which she imagined to be
he click of the gate. 1t was vacation
week, and without c%autioning, thechil-
lren all remained within the ward.
ihe wondered much at this, but took
t us a piece of good luck. Usually
hey teased to go and play with other
hildren. Mabel helped her about the
.ousework, and she got on famously
18th her sewing. But such a week of
Ini%nterruption was without precedent.
nd Mrs. Stevens was greatly mysti-
ed. Her husband and the children
a broad grin at times, but she
allied to take notice,
''Wouldn't you like TO walk to
.urch, motherg" Mr.. Stevens asked
hen Sunday came, and she gladly
onsented.
When she passed out of the gate She
iscovered the reason for her week of {
Uninterrupted quiet. There upon the
ate-post, facing the road, were the
.ords in large black letters, printed
! a pine board; !
"nlPHTHERTA HERE" I
She looked at the sign in startled
''The work Of the children. my
explained her husband, with a
They have really befriended
III with their device to keep the
eighbors away, have snt seen You q
so fresh and rested for some Z
me Xpu nrR II eoinpipu 20 ICsa ,ho4