The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-04
His Hospitable
Way

young Mrs. Albaugh, that before /
was married ! used TO hope that when
| got husband he would be a whole
souled, hospitable MANI"
yes, remember" was the smiling
answer, and l wondered then If you
realized Just what 1t means 10 have
man In the family who Issues invi-
tations to everybody all the time"
Il realize it now, anyway" said the
daughter Why, mother, Jimmie is
absolutely the most Unfortunately hos
to want everyone he knows 70 have
a meal in our fiat"
TITS because he's so proud Of his
little home, I suppose" returned her
mother.
well, I'm afraid he wasn't very
proud Of It last Sunday. But III have
to tell you about II.
Saturday night We had the Fisko5
you know they are the people in
the apartment beneath us-to dinner,
and as they had entertained us so
nicely when We first moved in Cf
course | wanted TO give them a spread,
so We had a four-course dinner Just
after dinner Thora got a telephone
message that her brotherin-law had
had an accident, so without washing
a single dish she left for South Chi
cago to help her sister take care Of
him.
when we got up Sunday morning
there were SO many soiled dishes !
could hardly get breakfast. l com
planned to Jimmie that it would take
me all day to wash those dishes.
'Nonsenseh he said Wen 20 to
church and dine downtown and then
tonight, when we have taken off our
Sunday clothes, We'll do the dishes
together in no time.
THAT sounded pleasant to me and
turned my back on my disorderly fat
with delightful runaway sense OF
freedom.
while we were N the restaurant
rain began to fall in torrents, so we
fingered over our dessert and coffee
long time. Finally the storm sub.
sided and We went home. Imagine
my establishment when Jimmie IN
locked our fiat and I beheld his cous-
ms that | hardly know at all-Robert
Albaugh and his wife-sitting In our
parlor dressed in Jimmie's lounging
robe and my kimonol
Why, hello! cried Jimmie. We're
mighty glad to see you
I'm afraid we came a little early
said Mrs. Robert as l shook hands
with her. You see. We have taken
some liberties
Not at ALI We are delighted,
dubbed Jimmie. This is great. But
how, did you ever get in?'
Well said Robert. when We
found you weren't at home We thought
we'd take ride In the park, as this
is the first time we've had our car
in town. But we hadn't gone two
blocks when that cloudburst came and
We got drcnched. We were TOO wet
to go anywhere that We couldn't make
ourselves at home in. so we ran back
here and l climbed the fire escape to
your kitchen window The man who
lives under you rushed out and threat
ened to have me arrested. I told
him not to bother me-
And l told him who We were
added Mrs. Robert, and begged him
not to stop Bob, as We were expected
to tea.
when she said that l Just looked
at Jimmie, but Jimmie was busy as.
surfing Robert that it didn't in the
least matter that he had cut our new
window screen in order to get in. so
my precious husband never noticed
my accusing glance. But when | got
him alone for a minute | said, James
Albaugh, you invited your cousins to
tea and never told mel
Il forgot all about It. he answered
But you can get up some little thing
for supper. can't your"
We'll, what did you say to that"
asked her mother.
Il said of course I could and
pitched in, while Jimmie talked 10 his
euests. | washed enough dishes to
set the table and l made HOT biscuits
and coffee and l made salad of the
cold chicken that was left from the
were all eating.
Il was pretty hot and fiurried. but
I tried to be bright and chatty while
they ate. When they left Mrs. Rob
ert squeezed my hand in the most sis
terly manner and whispered. The Al
baugh men are all alike. but they've
got sense about one thiug-they
choose capable wives So knew that
despite all my efforts, she had taken
in the whole situation"
q hope Jimmy was properly con.
trite?' remarked the mother.
oh Jimmie was perfect dear
lie said that night while We Wero
washing the dishes that after this cX,
perience he wouldn't BE afraid to ask
in a whole regiment to dine, fer l was
such q wonder l don't want You ever
to think, mother, that Jimmie is IN
approciatiye."
NO, nor inhospitablo," added her
mother, dryly-Chicago Daily News.