The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-10-24
HEIR INVITED GUESTS
AT SUBURBAN HOME

I1inchett's family affairs as a preim-
mary move. He realized later that
he should have put Hinchett 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-
die bulldog.
Il had to bring the dog" explained
Hinchett brightly, when Perkins met
him at the foot of the steps. because
there Is no one in our apartment
house that l could trust with him.
Good old Bruno! He has to be fed
just SO or he Is unhappy. Mrs Hin
chett," 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
the living room curtains and that his
standing at his domestic hearth de-
pended upon hts carrying the matter
of with the air of its being quite what
he had expected
Come right in" exclaimed Perkins.
heartily. as the children began pulling
the geraniums out OF his wife's flower
boxes beside the steps. Glad you
brought the dog. He'll be company
for our dog. Let me take your suit
cases"
"Oh. there's a hammock" Mrs. Hin
chett exclaimed, making a dive for 1t.
I'm just worn out with the long trip
from our place and the railroad drive
and then the walk up here In the sun.
You won't mind II lie down q min
ute. will you?"
Lillian isn't very strong" Hin
chett explained
Certainly not" Perkins told her.
Go right ahead Mrs. Hinchett, and
get rested. That's what we're here
J for
She tumbled into the hammock and
Hinchett went down into TIE front
yard to encourage Bruno In digging
up the pansy bed that Mrs Perkins
had been working over all season. AS
Perkins walked into the hall with the
satchels his wife seized him
why didn't you tell me these peo-
pie had children?" she Kissed into his
car. Il could have gone away or got
scarlet fever or something You know
that I've nobody to help me with the
homework. And | was planning to
make jelly today"
"IJippbott hold ont mo
INJURED Perkins. "He never mentined
the kids. For the love of Pete, go and
talk to EN-
And that woman in the hammock
is the one you said would help me
make jelly If | let them come today"
his wife said witheringly.
Maybe she will" countered Per
kins. You haven't asked her yet"
Then Mrs Perkins coaxed up a vel
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 Hlncbett, 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
so later they found the Hinchett's lit
boy had set fire to the barn. which
had been saved by a remarkable dem
onstration of energy on the part of
his mother, ably assisted by Mrs. Par
liins, 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 Hinehetts were
some. and Hinchett whiled way the
hour with detailed description of his
counting days up to the moment when
Lillian shyly consented to be his.
Then before the men had finished
their cigars after dinner the Hin
chetts girl fell out of a cherry tree
and broke her collarbone trying TO get
the only two cherries on the tree.
I'm afraid we'll 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
10 his wife with both hands held alCit.
Never again. he said ferventy.
THAT week end thing isn't what it's
advertised to be-
His wife smiled grimly, We'll have
to hurry home" she said. you have
a hard days work ahead of you yet
making jelly"
"But it's late" protested Perkins.
"It Will be great deal later before
you get to bed tonight" returned Mrs.
Perkins.-Chicago Daily News.
What Makes Snow Warm.