Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-07
The Argus Daily Story
Mrs. Tophams Invention-By Mildred Jernegan
Copyrighted. Associated Literary

was high color in her cheeks, and
her blue eyes flashed strangely as she
went to and fro. preparing the good
dinner, filing in gaps OF time with the
making of a cake or a batch OF biscuit
for the customers Who were only too
glad to buy her toothsome wares.
A knock came at the back door. fol-
lowed by the anxious face Of her near
est neighbor Mrs. Morris.
I'm in a heap of trouble. Mrs. Top
ham," began the visitor. sinking into
chair. land when smelled your boiled
dinner | wondered il you wouldn't help
me out"
What is ity asked Sarah prac-
tically.
You know we never have dinner at
noon on Saturday; always wait and
have It when William comes home at Z
O'Clock. Today l only had a few sand
witches for lunch, because I'm going
down TO my sisters to dinner tonight,
and William will meet me there. Not
five minutes ago had telephone call
from the depot saying that my aunt
and her husband and their four chill
dren are passing through here on their
way to WeStlake and will be at my
house at dinner time: that's fifteen min
utes. and | haven't got mouthful in
the house to eat. and they are great
providers and have regular farm appe-
tites. Would you sell me your dinner?
Sarah puckered her brow an instant
and then 1t cleared. Yes, of course
she said sensibly. "Shall dish it up
/ for you. or will you carry the pots over?
| I've got a pot of potatoes boiled sepa-
| rately."
III take the pots over. Have you
got a pie to spare?"
YES" said Sarah calmly. bringing
the last pie in the house and folding 1t
/ in clean napkin. Want any help?"
NO. indeed. I've got time TO run
back and forth. I'm thousand times
obliged to you. Mrs. Topham. I'll bring
my pocketbook over next trip"
! At 1890 Sarah Topham called her
seven little girls in to dinner, and. az
this was the signal for Samuel to also
appear at the table. they all gathered
about the board together.
The little girls cIapped their hands
over a great dish of boiled rice and
| huge pitcher of milk that formed the
principal dishes on the table.
The face OF Samuel Topham was a
study In disappointment when he sur
veyed the plain meal. Sarah avoided
his eyes ana poured out two cups OF
tea.
you've forgotten the boiled dinner"
he ventured rather dmidly.
"Oh, no; there isn't any boiled din
ner," returned Sarah calmly. II sold
it to Mrs. Morris. She had unexpected
company"
Sold the dinner? Are we to eat this
-rice?" Mr.. Topham's voice was elo-
quent of disgust.
''Of course. It's very nourishing,
Samuel. You know the japanese live
almost entirely upon rice and fish.
They whipped , the Russians, you
know"
Il know. But I'm hungry. Sarah"
IF you eat rice enough, Samuel, I'm
sure you can get along I've been
thinking that we would live entirely
on rice until the automatic griddle Is n
success. Rice is cheap, and we need
all can earn to-
"Oh. very WELL Sarah, you needn't
; explain any further" said Samuel. with
great dignity, and forthwith attacked
his rice and milk gloomily.
All the afternoon he spent in moody
cogitation before the air tight stove in
the parlor. He did not see his wife
slip quietly out of the side door and
hasten down the street and turn into
the wide driveway OF Moses Bowman's
handsome home. He did not see her
when she returned with flushed cheeks
and resumed her work in the kitchen.
Rice for supper, too" he asked dis
: mally at O'clock that night.
! "Yes, indeed I'm greatly taken with
the idea, Samuel" cried his wife en-
t Enthusiastically. Let us live upon rice
and milk until one OF your inventions
= is perfected. I'm sure the children are
willing to do it."
Mr.. Topham said nothing at all in
reply, and when the meal was con.
S Guided he put on his hat and left the
= house. 1t was significant that he. too
4 turned into the Moses Bowman place
4 At he returned TO lind Sarah darn.
ing stockings before the fire.
E I've got a job, Sarah" he said in
a heRrtbroken voice. Moses Bowman
/ says he will give me life Job In his
r office as assistant bOOkkeeper I've
. taken it and go to work Monday morn
= ing / can't live on rice and milk
$ whether the world loses fapjack grid
: dies or not. ] don't suppose there ever
will be an invention to equal that one
II don't know about that" said Sa
: rah Topham to herself as she broiled a
T steak she had secreted TO celebrate thi.
anticipated event. II don't know abou
that. I've an invention of my owI
= that would make me milionairess Il
y | could get it on the market. but
guess I'll have to give it to my daugh
: tiers for wedding gifts some day.
, guess III call 1t Sarah Topham's An
tomato Genius Cure for it certainl,
5 will make man work when ncthin,
else appeals TO him Starve 'em out
J say. That's my inventionw