Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-04-07
WHEN MAN
REFORMED

NGG O3ANxGO
They named her Hannah for her
grandmother, but as time went on
they called her Nan in apology for
it's grimness. However, the name
must have got into her blood after
some fashion, for although she grew
up looking Man" for all she was
worth with her curly hair and general
prettiness, her state Of mind was de-
cidedly formal.
Always she was positive as to her
likes, dislikes, wishes and preferences.
When other little girls stood on one
foot with finger agonizedly in mouth,
Nan knew what she wanted and got 1t
before their minds were made up.
When she grew up she took the trait
along with her. Indeed, she elaborat-
ed on it; for, besides being sure of
her own mind, she was sure of what
other peoples minds were or should
be. So she enthusiastically prodded
them into hasty decisions, to their
great indignation and subsequent en-
barrassment when they finally discov-
cred what their preferences really
were.
'You mark my words" said Aunt
Jane, who had money and hence the
assurance to speak her mind freely.
"You mark my words! That girl Is
setting out to make some good man
mighty miserable. And he'll be sur
prised, for she certainly Is good to
look at. You wouldn't think she was
so set. She won't let him call his
soul his own!"
Nan certainly had the habit Of be-
ing certain about things. IF chat
was my child" she would say, sweet
ly, yet firmly, to some worried moth
er, Il shouldn't let 1t rule me that
way! You will spoil its whole future
life by encouraging 1t to be overbear-
ing!"
Or else, sitting upright in pink in
dignation, she would exclaim: Good
nesg Don't tell me Mary's husband
talked that way to herl Why, II he
were my husband / shouldn't stand it!
I should assert myself These girls
don't seem to have bit of independ-
ence. Why, Harry Brown scatters
cigar ashes all over the house and
Tom Phelps actually does wood carv-
ing in the living-room and their wives
meekly endure i'll"
Nan would say to her married SIS
ter: IF she were my maid I'd very
soon stop her staying out SO late even
ings! 1t isn't good management and
I'd speak to her about i'll"
To her cousin she would say: "If
were living in that house I wouldn't
be so afraid of the landlord! I'd have
things fixed the way wanted them!"
Mans motto, If she had been re-
quired to carry it painted on ban
ner, would have been, IF 1 were in
your place I'd do the correct thing"
Unwilling persons sometimes found
1t hard to get used to this popularity
Of Mans. However, her friends hero
ically loved her in spite of it. There
was great excitement and speculation
when she finally got married and
started housekeeping. Everybody
settled back perfectly ready to see
her triumphs and wonder at them.
1t was about year and half after
her wedding that Aunt Jane went to
pay Nan a visit. When she had been
there week she could play a polite
part no longer.
"My goodness, Mani" she expostu.
lated, selling the infant on the floor.
"How can you bear to see him dent
ing up your silver hand mirror in that
way? Give him something else"
ooh, he likes that best" said her
niece, land he'll cry like fun If 1 take
1t away. There, he's begun! Duzum
want 1t, precious there, there-shall
have mirror If he wants it,"
"Well, like that!" snapped Aunt
Jane. aren't you ever going to
make him mind you? Did you know
that Herbert had burned two holes in
this lace dolly putting his lighted
cigar down on it,"
ooh, has he?" inquired Nan. Don't
you think he has the finest profile
you ever saw, Aunt Jane?'
II found your cook feeding three of
her friends when I went into the
kitchen after dinner last night" went
on Mans relative, grimly. you'll
end In the poorhouse if"-
ri don't dare, complain" murmured
Nan. "She'd leave. And goodness
knows where I'd get another, they're
30 scarce nowadays!"
- ''I'm amazed that you should pick
out such an ugly wall paper" said
her aunt, surveying the living room
wall hostilely.
'I didn't" said Nan. with O frown
on her level brows. isn't it awful?
It was on when we took the house
and the landlord wouldn't change i'll"
Aunt Jane sat down and took a long
look at her niece. There was placid
content in Mans face that was new
to it
WELL" calculated her relative. III
you haven't turned out Just like the
general run Of women after all, Han
nah! And you may thank your stars
that you havel"
For a Gradual Tan.
Until protective tan comes, half an
hour naked twice week in strong
sunlight is about right. Come. come,
come. all ye country lassies. don't
tan and burn your hands, face. neck
or bosom, because 1t feathers. thick
ems. wrinkles and tou9hens these