Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1910-09-01
From Lucle's
Diary

| Mothers small and perfectly unnec-
essary household economies annoy me
dreadfully at times.
said to her one day recently that
wished she would have our nickel
telephone taken out and replaced by
the unlimited service.
"As you nearly always use my nick
els" laughed mother, II don't see why
you should care which kind Of tele-
phone we have. Seriously, dear, I
think that II even little money can
be saved by using the nickel phone
we ought to do It cheerfully."
knew It was useless to argue the
matter with mother any further at
that time, but did not give up the
idea Of securing the unlimited service.
rarely abandon any plan on which
my mind is set. for think persistence
IL one of the important elements OF
strength Of character.
That evening just after dinner
Betty called me up and asked me to
come over and play cards.
II hope you haven't any engage
/ ment," she said, for Bob has brought
q friend home to dinner tonight and
we would like to have little bridge"
When / got to Betty's was sorry
had taken the trouble to change my
dress. Her invitation was very mis-
leading. had naturally supposed
that when Betty said Bob had brought
: q friend home she meant man friend,
and was greatly surprised to be in
troduced to a plainly gowned and
quite uninteresting looking woman.
Miss Clyde went to school with Bob
years ago and now she teaches In q
western college," whispered Betty
while was removing my wraps. She
Is very bright and charming"
"Really?" murmured.
As we Joined Bob and his old friend
in the drawing room l noticed the
telephone in the hall.
"Oh, see you have the unlimited
service now" exclaimed. I'm try
ing to persuade mother to have It put
, In at our house"
whats the user" asked Uncle Bob,
good-naturedly. Whenever you feel
an excess of telephone enthusiasm
! coming on, drop in here and help
yourself to our phone"
That's awfully sweet Of you, Uncle
Bob" replied. Il believe I'll avail
myself of your generosity now while
Betty Is getting out her cards and the
bridge table,"
slipped into the hall and rung up
Mr.. Owen, who has been Ill for a few
days. He appeared to enjoy chat and
we visited for quite while. Then !
remembered that I had promised TO
pass the evening at Louise Erwin's
house, SO phoned her my apologies
for not going. There were several
others to whom wished to speak and
1 / was in the midst Of a conversation
! with Arthur knight when Betty called
me.
/ Just q moment, DEAR" I answered,
considerably. ignoring her petulant
tone.
Now, you are surely through" Bet
ty said, coming into the hall a few
minutes later. "Bob's Tuning for our
A., bridge"
Poor Uncle Bob" laughed. He'll
have to be patient little longer, for
, I'm waiting for a long-distance call. !"
Betty left me without another word,
and in a minute more was listening
1 to the voice Of Wisner Lee. whom I
had been lucky enough to catch at the
hotel in Cleveland where he Is just
now. I told him about the new tennis
club that some Of our crowd are or
ganizing and asked his advice about
, the kind Of racket should buy. Wis
ner is such a devoted tennis player
that he forgets all about time when
he is discussing his favorite game. As
he was SO thoughtful about the racket.
begging the privilege Of choosing the
one for me, had not the heart to
break OF the conversation.
Il was rudely interrupted by Uncle
Bob, who asked me with uncalled-for
sharpness II was going to talk to
, that chap all night"
! "of course not" said. What time
is it,"
NIt's exactly 10:45 o'clock"
Mercy! ! must 80 home at oncei"
exclaimed.
why, we havn't had any bridge"
protested Betty, land I was going to
make q Welsh rarebit, Lucille"
well, III stay for a wee bite Of the
rarebit," I conceded. Then l must
ny. You know how mother dislikes
having me remain out late"
/, Uncle Bob was extremely taciturn
all the way home. In fact, so short
and gruff were his remarks that was
sorry / had bothered to 90 to his
house. have not seen him since that
evening, but yesterday he told mother
that q large bill had come in for long
distance telephonlng which he thought
I would want to pay out Of my allow
ance. When mother spoke to me
about It I said that was simply as
tonished at Uncle Bob.
why, he invited me to use his
phone any time" told her.
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