The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1910-07-16

4
But Mrs. Lane could not answer, as
the grocery boy came for his order He
| had no sooner gone than the telephone
| rang. Mrs Lane answered it. AS she
passed her husband, he patted her
hand. He was getting quite spoony on
| top Of a good breakfast.
Mr.. Lane did not notice the first
part came out distinctly.
Il don't see how I can. Mr. Lane
is home this morning"
| why. is he sick?"
"He feels as if he might have the
grip
Dear me, pity you. If there is one
| thing that drives me frantic. it is to
| have a man around in the Kitchen half
sick"
"Yes'-answered Mrs. Lane, mono
committedly
"Oh, l see, he's right where he can
hear. All right, good by"
Mrs. Lane hung up the receiver and
looked lubiously at her husband He
was reading the paper and did not
seem to see her There were no mor5
caresses. The silence was so profound
in the dining room that one could hear
the clock tick. Finally Mr.. Lane said
abruptly. Il never did like that Mrs.
Sessions. Disagreeable woman. Thinks
she knows ii all"
About 8 O'Clock, Mr.. Lane wanted to
know if his wife was not through. At
$50 he inquired again, and at 10
O'Clock he came out into the kitchen.
What did you have to do this
morning except get breakfast and it
isn't time for dinner vet he began,
as she surveyed the kitchen and pantry.
gloomily. for there did not seem to be
much prospect Of that quiet tete-a-tete
with his wife in the coy living room.
It's baking day, today, John, and
then you know went to the Friday
morning club yesterday"
las if women could not get enough
clubs afternoons and evenings with
out having them in the morning 1t
will get 50 that the men will be obliged
to stay at home to do the homework. ="
Mr.. Lane, in reality, was very proud
of the fact that his wife belonged to
this musical club
Well looking at the sink, Il see
you haven't washed the dishes yet. |
suppose | can do them and that Will
help you out"
Now, John, l am just getting to
them and I'd rather do them" began
Mrs. Lane, but her husband interrupt
ed.
"Of course, am going to do them. 1t
is a poor sort Of a man who cannot
help his wife out once in a while at
homework. l rather guess l can wash
those Dishes"
SO Mrs. Lane patiently got the dish
pan for him, the dish mop. the dish
drainer. the towels, and Mr. Lane
rolled UP his sleeves, turned the fau-
Gets on till he got brimming pan of |
hot water with soapsuds, as tall as
they could stand, and started in Mrs. |
Lane went vigorously to work in the
pantry, determined not to look
There was scattering and splashing
and once or twice something dropped, |
but luckily did not break.
There" said Mr. Lane, virtuously, |
after some minutes, Il bet lots of men |
would sit around and not lift a finger |
to help their wives out. Men, perfect
ly well, too. but lazy"
AS he washed and washed, his idea |
OF his own virtue grew.
After half an hour, he announced |
that he had got them nearly all washed
and was about to wipe them.
Just then, there was terrible rack
ct up in the boys playroom.
What are the boys doing?" began
Mrs. Lane. Mr.. Lane pricked up his
ears
He listened
He nodded his head
1T sounds to me like a fight" he
said grimly. With his wet apron still
pinned around his waist line, he has
tened upstairs to find Frank and Fred
dy with very red faces, with fists
clenched for another bout First the
lighters knew, they were both in the
hands of Mr.. Lane. which part of his
body certainly had the grip" He
set the boys down on opposite sides of
the room
I'm ashamed Of you. My bows
lighting" He sat down, serious as
Judge. Lucky, indeed, he was home.
This was no situation for a woman to
meet successfully. The boys were
making heroic efforts not to giggle at
the sight of their father in mothers
apron.
Now" began the judge, what was
the matter?
He said George Washington was the
greatest man who ever lived and Abe