Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1912-07-03
He \
Overdid It

AS FIltcraft was hurrying across the
bridge to catch the sos train for
home he saw Griggs just ahead of
him with a black band on the sleeve
of his light overcoat.
Though the two men had only a
bowling acquaintance, Flitcraft knew
that Griggs' wife had died recently,
and a sudden realization came over
him of what it must mean to a mar to
be deprived of long accustomed do
nestle companionship. It was a
thing, he reflected, which might hap
pen at any time to any married man.
He wondered vaguely, as the light
overcoat with the black band disap-
peared in the crowd, whether Griggs
had beer good to his wife. Then he
affirmed to himself virtuously that a
man ought to be habitually good to his
wife, and then if anything should hap,
pen. there would be nothing to regret.
Just at this moment he happened to
see an elderly man buying ONE flow
ers at the stand on the corner and
at once his vapOrous general resolve
SSSA 11Co q l. l " II.
F1itcraft decided that he would take
some roses home to his wife. He
hadn't done such a thing during the
eleven years since his marriage, but
that was no reason, he assured him
self, why he shouldn't do it now.
So, with some embarrassment, he Sc
lected a bunch of American beauties.
He was rather s~elf-conscious when
he found that no one manifested any
curiosity as to the contents of his
tissue paper package.
why, Harley F1itcraft!" exclaim-
ed his wife as she tore off the wrap
pings. "Where'd you get such beauti-
full roses?"
Bought 'em, of course" responded
F~1itcraft, %jocularly. Cant l buy you
some flowers once in a while? No 9TH
er nan is buying flowers for you just
at present, is there?"
His wife blushed at the very
thought of such a thing. Very steady
In the domestic harness we're both the
Flitcrafts.
Don't be ridiculous, Harley" she
admonished him, as she hurried to fill
a vase with water.
It was evident that Mrs. Flitcraft
was delighted. A close observer
might have detected that she was also
puzzled. But Flitcraft was not in the
habit of observing his wife closely,
being convinced that he had found out
all there was to know about her during
the first year of their married life
So, elated by his success, he rushed
on to his undoing.
His vo1uble praise of the peach
shortcake at dinner, besides being I'm
usual, appeared to his wife a work
of supererogation, since he had eater
two large pieces with great relish.
A little later, to complete his Wife's
mystification, F1itcraft laid down the
evening paper and proposed that they
go to a concert.
Mrs. Flitcraft was well aware thai
her husband didn't know Beethoven
from Tschaikowsky and was utterly
Indifferent to both.
"Why Harley" she protested, "it's
going to be all classified music, ant
I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy it."
There's nothing I would enjoy
more!" prevaricated F1itcraft.
His wife cast a penetrating glance
toward the American beauties, al
though to read there the secret of he
lords sudden transformation. Thel
she said, gently: Harley, you dom
feel we'll, do you?"
Never felt Aetter in my life," re
sponded Harley, promptly.
His wife disregarded these words
"It must be-" she insisted, "becaus,
you didn't put on your heavy under
wear the first of the month"
"Why, l tell you that / feel perfect
~ WELL" reiterated F1itcraft. II DON
need heavy underwear in such wealth
er as this"
"Then I'm afraid you haven't beel
careful enough about your diet" sh
said. "You know, the doctor sal
that you"
Haven't I told you three times,
roared F1itcraft, "that I never fel
better"
"Oh, Harley, don't say that" plead
ed his wife, with tears in her eyes
"Of course, I don't want you to be il
and yet I'd rather it was that. Thefe'
only n other way to explain you
queer actions. It's remorse!"
"Remorse? For what?" demande
Fitcraft.
"For having fallen in love with som
other woman! You're trying to atom
to me for it! And you're always bee
such a good husband until now!"
OhMinIS E~xnIanafinn