The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-11

quite satisfied with the outlook, and
when he patted her cheek and pro-
posed a musical comedy and bite in
one of the Broadway restaurants later
to brighten her up he considered the
matter settled.
But he did not know Mrs. Bob SO
well az he thought he did. She had
put her case cleverly, but she had not
touched the principal reason for her
desire for employment. 1t was all
very well for Bob TO say he would be
ashmed If not disgraced to have his
wife a business woman. 1t was all
very well for him to point out that
he made from $50 to SIS week, and
1t would simply be scandalous for a
man earning so much to permit his
bride to work. That weighed very lit
tie with her in her calm analysis of
the situation. She loved her husband
and considered him one of the best OF
men, but that did not blind her to
his one great weakness Twice he had
been unable to go to tho office. The
second time the manager had been up
to see him. and. although he spoke in
low voice, she could not help hearing
the yelled warning. She understood
now. why Bob rarely held a position
long. He made friends rapidly-lots
of them, too many of them. He was
bright, clever and able, but too con-
genial for his own good. His employ
ers liked him, but wished he would let
liquor alone
Mrs. Bob thought the whole matter
out. She was not q weepy person
and she was not of the scoldy kind
1t was a bitter discovery to make.
but after calm reflection she thought
she saw her way clear. Possibly 1;
she got employment where her hus-
band worked he would do better II
he had to accompany her home each
evening he would not be out SO late
with his companions. She might.
without his knowledge. wcan him
away from his weakness. She was q
patient woman, was Mrs. Bob. She
realized that as the matter stood at
the moment her husband would not
permit her entering the business
real. Later something-the depres.
sion following overindulgence or the
danger of losing his position-night
win his consent.
Seemingly she accepted his refusal
in good part, and the theatres and
4 tiIS ollcpS bdW IlloiG VI IleI Alildl De-
fore, and they interested her as they
interest all women. but all the while
she held to her purpose. She had a
lot OF pride and she had one memory
that was unpleasant to her. That was
of one of her schoolgirl friends who
had married and come to the city and
| had TO return 10 her parents in few
years. There would be nothing OF
that sort with her, she determined
i 1t was a month or six weeks after
T! she had preached the business idea
| to her husband that he lapsed again.
She was as helpful and sympathetic
as usual, but made no reference to
| her pet idea. She did, however. stop
| the theatre trips and the shopping
| visits, and she professed when he
questioned her about it to have tired
| of going out so much. Bob thought
she was getting over her homesick-
ness and becoming more contented
with city life.
Maybe the shock was all the greater
to him on that account when, the next
time he had to remain home. she In
formed him she was resolved on get
ting some employment. He argued as
before. but his arguments carried less
weight this time, and man situated
as he was at the time, remorseful and
repentant, has not the moral force
back of him that he usually posses.
Maybe the manager of the office had
a fuller realization of what actuated
her in applying for work than che
knew. He was kind and good man
and he told her she might start the
next day. It was multiform printing
concern and lot of women We're en-
ployed as operators. Her husband was
a salesman of the machine. For a
week. while she was learning to be
an operator, she go no peE. Then she
started at a very moderate wage
Maybe he shook all the greater to
him TO see his wife putting herself on
a level with the general run OF work
GRE. but gradually his resentment less
ened, and he even felt glow of pleas
| ure one DAY when he heard Some one
praise his wife for the work she was
doing. And Mrs. Bob deserved praise.
] she was well educated and quick wit
/ ted. and. in addition, was palms, taking
| ly neat and accurate. According to
! her code, no work was done unless II
wae well done. She did not belieye In
eragireE or interlineat!ons. Every let.
/ Ter. every word. every line. every gen
tence, every paragraph, every sheet
had 70 be as perfect as human hama
ana machine eopid make II. Within
1 six weeks ~ ner adyea, into the office
every 3oo that required care and skill
war xigep 70 Der This manager, while
eesming ~ notice ap,ntng. noticed
everything When Mrs. Bpb asked Tor
an inefease froo VI " ~ week no
4 rgtrr8 ~ rz.S asa.S. GawEG6 and said