Las Vegas optic., 1912-10-09
THEIR INVITED GUESTS
AT SUBURBAN HOME.

he should have put Hlnchett through
the third degree of the census bu-
reau before extending the invitation.
Thus he would have escaped the con-
fusion that overwhelmed him on the
Saturday when Hinchett descended
upon the Perkins establishment with
one wife, two children and one brin-
lie bulldog.
7 had to bring the dog" explained
Hinchett brightly, when Perkins met
him at the foot Of the steps, because
here is no one in our apartment
house that / could trust with him.
Good old Brunei He has to be fed
lust 90 or he is unhappy. Mrs. Hin
:hett," he went on, with wave Of his
hand toward his wife, "and the little
Hinchetts."
Perkins knew that his wife was
watching the reception from behind
he living room curtains and that his
ltanding at his domestic hearth de-
pended upon his carrying the matter
" with the air Of its being quite what
le had expected.
Come right in," exclaimed Perkins,
heartily, as the children began pulling
he geraniums out of his wifes flower
boxes beside the steps. "Glad you
Drought the dog. He'll be company
or our dog. Let me take your suit
iases."
oh, there's hammock" Mrs. Hin
hett exclaimed, making dive for it.
I'm just worn out with the long trip
rom our place and the railroad drive
md then the walk up here in the sun.
Eou won't mind If lie down min
tie, will your"
Lillian isn't very strong" Hin
Ihett explained.
Certainly mott" Perkins told her.
Go right ahead, Mrs. Hinchett, and
ret rested. That's what we're here
or"
She tumbled into the hammock and
dinchett went down into the front
rard to encourage Bruno in digging
lp the pansy bed that Mrs. Perkins
lad been working over all season. AS
Perkins walked into the hall with the
latchels his wife seized him.
Why didn't you tell me these peo-
pie had children?" she hissed into his
sar. Il could have gone away or got
scarlet fever or something You know
hat I've nobody to help me with the
,ousework. And was planning to
make jelly today"
'Hinchett held out on me-, mur-
INJURED Perkins. "He never mentined
he kids. For the love Of Pete, go and
ialk to EN-"
And that woman in the hammock
s the one you said would help me
make jelly II let them come today"
mis- wife said witheringly,
Maybe she WILL" countered Per
kins You haven't asked her yet"
Then Mrs. Perkins coaxed up a well
coming smile for the guests and went
out to meet them, murmuring words
of sympathy for Mrs. Hinchett, whose
fatigue threatened to become per
manent About that time the Perkins
fox terrier arrived from an excursion
into foreign fields. When the two
men had pried the bulldog loose from
the fox terriers neck Perkins took his
dog into the basement and chained
him to the furnace.
While Mrs. Hinchett, from the
depths of the hammock, was explain
ing to Mrs. Perkins how badly she felt
most Of the time and how quickly she
succumbed before exercise Of any
kind, Perkins took Hinchett down to
show him the village hall, and the
other sights Of which the residents Of
the suburb are justly proud. He want
ed to get away from the atmosphere
Of the berries. which his wife had
stocked up with to make jelly that
day. When they returned an hour or
30 later they found the Hinchett's lit
boy had set fire to the barn, which
had been saved by q remarkable dem
onstration of energy on the part OF
his mother, ably assisted by Mrs. Par
kins, In pumping water and passing
buckets.
Dinner was not exactly a joyous
meal. inasmuch as Mrs. Perkins kept
thinking Of new things to say to her
husband after the Hinchetts were
gone, and Hinchett whiIed a way the
hour with a detailed description Of his
counting days up to the moment when
Lillian shyly consented to be bis.
Then before the men had finished
their cigars after dinner the Hin
chetts' girl fell out of a cherry tree
and broke her colIarbone trying to get
the only two cherries on the tree.
I'm afraid we1I have to go home
with her." sighed Mrs. Hinchett.
"Oh, must you go?" Mrs. Perkins
asked, while Perkins dashed upstairs
for the suitcases.
When the guests had been safely
placed upon the train Perkins turned
to his wife with both hands held aloft
"Neyer againl" he said ferventIy
"That week end thing isn't what it's
advertised to be-"
His wife smiled grimIy. wen have
to hurry home" she said. "You have
q hard days work ahead OF you yet
making jelly"
"But It's late" protested Perkins.
TT will be q great deal later before