The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-04-09
A WAIST-BUTT0N
"WRASTLE"
by JAMES W. FOLEY

"Ill be ready. John. just as quick as
you come and button my waist for
me-"
Eyes, dear"
Don't begin at the bottom, John.
You can't button a waist from the bot
tom. Begin at the top-in the collar
there
"All right" said John, cheerfully.
| Pause.
Whats the matter, John? Can't
you find the buttonholes?"
There, I've got the first one" said
John, triumphantly. by lingo, I
haven't, either. I've got it buttoned
into a hole in the lace. I'll have to
unfasten it. There-now we're get
ting along"
You're awfully clumsy, John. How
many buttons have you got fastened?"
I've got one. all right" he declared.
This lace collar is the hardest part
OF 1t. guess it'll be plain sailing as
soon as l get that DONE"
well, let us see If I can do that"
she said little impatiently, twisting
around before the mirror and putting
both hands back of her neck.
you've got the second one buttoned
into the third hole" said John. watch
ing her manipulations. Maybe l can
fix 1t now; my fingers are rested"
well, for goodness sake, hurry, or
we'll be late. I'm getting all tired out
standing up here. and my hairs COM
ing out Of curl Can't you hurry lit
tle?"
I'm hurrying as fast as l can," he
suggested. amiably ITS new work
for me. you know. l don't see what
they make waists button up the back
for. anyway"
Have you got all four buttons of
the collar fastened?"
Are there four of them? BY
gracious. I thought there were only
three! missed the third one-the
collars folded down so. I'll have to
unfasten the last one and button the
third"
well. John Dixon. you are smart!
Didn't tell you there were four but
tons on the collar?"
| oaoh you, QcdTp he Sdlu,
meekly. Don't twist around SO.
You'll have the second one out next.
THERE thought you would. Now
I've got to begin all over"
MY face is getting so red I'm
ashamed to go anyhere," she began,
dabbing some powder on her nose.
How far down are You now?"
Don't raise your arms up that
way" he cautioned her You make
1t cape In the back. and can't button
1t at all. There-the collars all done
now. dearie. Just few minutes
more. One-two-three-fo
six-sevep-eight-" he counted slow.
ly. Only seven or eight more Now!
that's all but the hook and eye"
What makes that little bulge up
there near the top?" she inquired,
looking sideways into the mirror.
We'll. declare. John Dixon, il you
haven't missed one of the top but.
tons. and got it all buttoIed crooked!
Well, you are smart one!"
That don't make any difference"
said John. soothingly. Nobody will
ever notice that"
Now, John Dixon, II you think I'm
going downtown with a hump on my
back like camel and my waist but.
toned crooked, you're mistaken! Be.
sides. I'm SO warm and tired don't
care whether go now or not-so
there! You can inhibition the whole
thing, and III take 1t of and stay At
home"
Tears.
For goodness sake don't cry over
q little thing like that" said John in
distress. III button 1t up again in a
jiffy."
I'm not crying over the waist. I'm
crying because you're SO cross and
mean and hateful. Don't start to but.
ton 1t up again. don't want it but.
toned"
Il wouldn't act like that. dear" he
protested. There isn't any use ouar.
reling about little thing like button.
ing waist.
I'm not quarreling" she declared
tearfully. I've stood up here for half
an hour. until I'm all tired out and
i've been Just as patient as l can be.
and you say | am quaryeling."
More tears.
Haven't you got another waist that
buttons easier?" he suggested. May.
be could button another one in !.
minute"
mo, 1 haven't" she said. They
all button down the back
Then l guess we'll have to give it
up he admitted. IN telephone down
and tell them not to hold the tickets"
John Dixon, do you mean to say
you're going to miss that performance
because you're so stupid you can't
button my waist for me?"
Il don't see how / can button 4. a,