The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-23
THE EVENING STORY
Her sister Susie.
(By Carl Jenkins.l


sister Susie to file an application for
divorce! She had fled from her home
to that Of her father and mother, and
both of them had said there was no
other way out of it except to secure a
divorce. The husband OF a year that
would come home and swear at his
wife. would probably chop her up with
an axe the second year. Yes. Ronald
had come home and swore and kicked
footstool skyhigh, and said he wish
ed he had never married. 1t seemed
dreadful to every one but Susie. AS
for her. she asked of the weeping wife
and sister:
| well. why didn't you swear back
and kick over two chairs? And why
chance to say he was sorry, and make
up?"
| Mr.. Anderson had been given a
whole month to come on Bonded knees
and ask forgiveness, but he hadn't ap-
peared. 1t was even said by those who
met him daily that his face wore a
smile. Until this smiling business
came to her ears, the wife had not
thought seriously of divorce. Then
| she was angry and ready to listen to
the counsel of her parents, who had
| objected to the husband from the out
IF I had a husband said Miss
Susie. as they drove along; eff 1 had
a husband with black eyes, and
darling mustache, and curly hair, and
white teeth, and small feet, do you
| think I would divorce him %
Little you know about managing a
husband" was the contemptuous re-
ply.
ct don't have to. I'm going to let
mine manage himself"
And swear at you?"
IF he wants to. can call him
names faster than he can swear. Did
you ask Ronald what he was swear
ing about?"
did you ask him why he kicked
that footstool up to the ceiling ?''
"And when he said he wished he
had never got married, you didn't say
he could bet his bottom dollar that you
wished the very same thing?"
Il was shocked, you know
And SO made a Ounce of yourself!
Sister Katie, you are three years older
than am, but I've got twice the sense
you have. oh, why can't get married
and show the rest of the family how to
manage husband! Cricky, but you
are a lot of geese!'
but father says did just right"
And he's Ounce and mother dit
| to. If they'd known beans they'd have
| sent you right back and lie. you and
Ronald sulked for a couple of days
and then made up. Humph! Come
running back home just because your
husband came home in 4 mood"
But he hasn't come near me to say
he's sorry replied the wife in a voice
that had bit of a wall in it.
"Of course not. He's the man of the
house. He's the 1t. He didn't leave
you, but you left him. Why should he
come crawling to you? oh. you ninny
of a wifei"
"But-but what can do?" the
woman sobbed.
"Tr drive you to your home in
stead of to lawyers Office, and you
walk right UP to Ronald and tell him
to swear and kick over things when
ever he feels like it. These are spells.
Tell him you may have spell at any
time and break the mirrors and all
the dishes in the huse. VIII you do
it?'
II don't know. Well drive on
while I think. 1 thought-thought it
was awful for Ronald to come home
and act as he did, and so do pa and
ma but
but I've seen father come into the
house and kick the cat and yell at
mother that If he found any more
Jumps in her mashed potatoes he'd
hunt another boarding place. Nice old
chap he is to advise a daughteri
What's that coming?''
IT can't See"
"Well, L can. It's an auto. and we
are going to meet in the narrowest
part of the road. You know how the
pony is about autos. If we don't have
a smash-up I'll miss my guess. Here
he comes. Don't do anyscreaming or
jumping out. If he's a gentleman
he'll come to our help. My stars,
Kitty, who do you think it is?'
"Who?"
"sure's you live it's Ronald.
Where's my handkerchief? I want to
wave at him.
"susie. forbid you to wave!"
But I'm already waving!''
Think of my positioni"
"And think of his. I'll bet a dollar
he's riding out in hopes to catch sight
of you. Whoa, you idiot of a pony!''
Susie. must get out and run
through the woods!' exclaimed Mrs.
Anderson.
but there'll be no running. Howdy
do, Ronald? Yes, take him by the
head. He's a fool of a pony about
autos. Nice day. This is Kitty. your
wife. She wants to sit down on that
log with you and have a talk The
pony will stand now, and I'll gather
some of those wild plum blossoms"
Man and wife stood looking at each
other in the greatest embarrassment
for a moment, when Miss Susie spoke
again.
fright up there on that log. The
highway commissioner left it on pur-
pose for tired people to sit down on.
And don't you sit too far apart either,
or I shall come and crowd in between
you. Hike along now"
Rather queer that we should meet
this way, Mrs. Anderson" said the
husband as they got seated.
Yes, Mr.. Anderson. it is" was the
formal reply.
II didn't know but what you had
your divorce by this time"
II was just on my way to town"
ITO file your application. I see."
Father and mother said-said----''