The Washington herald., 1909-03-28
TEA TABLE GOSSIP.


claimed apropos OF nothing in particular
I was married at seventeen My daugh-
ter followed suit and went me one bet
ter. She married at sixteen She has my
tastes exactly. She always liked the
same man did, and, well, when she fell
in love with Jack Smith I had my Ideas
OF duty and gave him up for her"
Does she seem grateful?" laughed the
bachelor.
Takes II as a matter OF course. Hal
But they have been away much OF the
time. you know. They are returning 70
this country now. however
The widow arose and walked over TO a
mirror. y declare. since I have been
forced 10 think so much I an finding a
white hair here and there. Now. II there's
any relationship between gray hair and
gray matter. It has never been discov-
cred.
The man crossed the room and stood
beside her. Yes. I am showing some
white hairs around the edges. but you
need not be so sarcastic. I never set up
as an oracle. you know"
There. you almost made me break
bad luck Where shall I be In seven
years. am thirty-six now-I shall then
have crossed the RubicOn. But why do
think OF time IN gulps7 Time is 10 be
measured in minutes. Tomorrow used
to be a great stretch OF Imagination.
remainder saying. Yes. papa, shall be
twelve tomorrow. and II seemed that to-
morrow would never come. Now think
IN years I say II go abroad next year;
and the house shall be remodeled the
year after next: and here tonight take
up handful % years-just clutch seven
az a time when I cannot affGrd 10 take
another day upon my shoulders"
They crossed the room and sat down
side by side on the little blue sofa. She
grew more confidential
once upon a time. Hal. there were
women who covered their hair up with
white caps and wore soft shoes without
heels. and lace mitts, and became grand
mothers 70 a whole cOmmunity-peOple
had children In communities theu-I mean
enough in one family 10 people a village
And this misguided young woman IN q
white cap began 70 think~of the other
world and 20 sit primly by her fireside
and wait. Think OF it-Iife done for her
and not half over IN reality Just wait
ing 10 be called home. and. waiting alone.
too; for the gTandfathers OF those COM
munities. somehow. were not found wait
ing for the other world They always
found lots of business 10 do In this In
stead OF waiting for the next. They had
70 hold up the church. so they were called
pillars, and then they had 10 uphold the
village post-Of1ce. and the Odd Fellows
Hail. and the Grange Hall, which answered
for the country gentlemsns club, and
they looked upon the wine when IL was
red more and more frequently because
! they were not so young as they used 10
be- and they paid all manner Of gay and
/ fiippant compliments 10 the pretty maids
and chucked them under their pretty
ohins. because. You see. Il was no harm
I they were not so young as they used "a
( be And they always danced when they
/ had an opportunity-just 10 show the
I younger generation how Il used 70 be
done. OF coursei Cay old boys, Dear old
! boys. We shall never see their like again.
/ They are always bOys-from first to last
First they are little boys. Then bic
| boys. and then old boys. All this while
/ grandmother sat alone and waited for
/ the other world"
! When this rather long speech was I'm
/ ished they both burst out laughing ike
merry boys and girls sure enough.
! Helen, I am laughing at the idea OF
you ever being called grandmother"
And 1, too, she said Wouldn't Il
\ be too absurd?'
There's the phone" She dashed into
the hall Oh. it's you, or course I'd
know your voice through a megaphone. -
Jack Snyth.' she explained aside 70
[ her friend. "'How's Corinnie, and when
did you arrive? Brought new girl over
with you, eh? French. Swede or Irish
/ English. you say. with a dash OF French
/ You are just Ike I am-so fond Of impor-
/ tHtions- Be careful Of the family Jewels
and silver. Now. what's so amusing? ]
/ declare. the longer you live the moor fool
ish you grow. Jack.
Just like me2 Wei, IT'S the fashion
The girl came this morning Just IN time
/ for breakfast Well, don't spoil her
Say. Jack. see no cause for such
/ hilarity- I have my opinion OF a mar
who drinks too much n the merning-baC
taste. TO say the least. Is the new cir
pretty? "A peachp There. that viii do
How long did you stay with the Sultar
OF Turkey? What's her name? Helen ?
Well. change it You can't call her that
you know. Named for her grand
mother-you wouldn't Ike 10 change it2
You've got pretty far along IN her family
history since S a. m.
Come here to the phone, Hal. and Sc,
II you can understand what Jack is try
ing TO say
She passed him the receiver Why, 4
Is perfectly clear TO me, Helen. The new
girl arrived this morning. They've named
her for you. You are q grandmother"
I, a grandmother. What ingratitude
after all I've given up for herr
The echo OF a laugh over the phone
mingled with the Ha. Ha. Hai OF Z
mans voice near at hand
The lady sank upon the little blue sofa
and covered her face with her lace hand.
kerchief. ALICE GARDINER WHIPPLER.