Smyrna times., 1908-09-23

Tt's when she doesn't get the man she
wants that she seeks the excitement Of
some fool crusade like this
"I've lived fifty-three years. my dear.
l never voted, and never wanted to,
and | guess Silas and | are about as
happy a pair Of old folks as there are
in the state. spoke of Ben Burrows a
moment ago. Grace loved him, but she
married Hazard because his folks
died and he came into all the money.
Grace knew that he would be easy to
handle, so she threw Ben over and
married Hazard. I'll bet she thinks of
Ben yet sometimes"
Mabel shuddered as she recalled GER
tain times at Mrs. Brown-Hazzard's
when her husband had almost stagger-
ed into the room to cringe under her
glance. Then there would come over
the wOman's strong rather masculine
face a curious look of regret, and Ma
bel wondered if Mrs. Scarritt had not
spoken the truth.
81 tell you, DEAR" continued the old
lady, there is nothing to voting. Let
the men vote all they want so long as
they make good husbands. That's all
I've ever asked of Silas. | don't be-
lieve in throwing over a good man for
the sake of voting for the president
and the town council and all that.
Election day is only once a year, and
you're married 800 days in that time
You can't be a good wife and go gad-
ding around too. You have to take
your choice"
But when you have a mission to
uplift your sex began Mabel. Mrs.
Scarritt shifted again.
"Uplift nothing" she said irritably.
"YOu only lead 'em into mischief.
Your mission is to marry and make
some man happy and strong and
good citizen. That's the way to do
your duty to your country"
Mabel turned away without answer.
She was not used to ridicule except
from Roy. and Of course he was
| prejudiced Here was Mrs. Scarritt
making out her leader to be selfish
sOrdid woman who. having thrown
away her happiness. sought forgetful-
ness in the excitement of Il crusade.
| 1t was bitter blow, and she resented
! it,
Mrs. Scarritt did not speak again.
and Mabel lay back in her chair. her
tired eyes feasting upon the soft
greens of the field and forest, touched
here and there with the gold of the
afternoon sun.
Across the road was another cottage
with boarders. Its young bride, in
whom the whole town seemed to take
a personal interest, came our in her
fresh white dress to watch for her
husband. lie came every Friday night
and stayed until Monday an6 the lit
tie bride was always waiting for him
at the gate.
A huge farm wagon rumbled past, a
great covered affair. and from its cav
ernous depths there sprang an athletic
form. Almost before she could realize
1t the little bride was folded in strone
arms, and together the two went hap
PLY toward the house. laughing over
the mans joke.
Mrs. Scarritt touched Mabel's arm.
isn't that better than a vote?" sh'
asked.
Mabel nodded as she rose from he
chair.
"Going in to writer" asked Mrs. Scar
ritt.
YES" came the answer. 81 wan
to write Mrs. Brown-Hazzard that
do not feel strong enough to write tha
speech she wants. and want to writ
to-Roy."
Mabel vanished indoors with fac
of scarlet, and Mrs. Scarritt smiled a
she rocked vigorously back and forth
She had not known of Roy. but sh
had imagined that somewhere in tn
background there was some one. Lik
Mrs. BrOwn-Hazzard, Mrs. Scarrit
was a crusader. and a successful one