Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1914-01-15
HER LOST AUTHORITY
BY JANE KELLY.

Within the recollection of the fam
lily mother" had never before been i'll.
She had tied up cut fingers and filled
hot water bags and portioned out
medicine to everybody else, but never
had she taken to her bed and caused
these services to be performed for
her.
So when she fell Ill recently the
Loffett family was badly disorganized,
as though bomb in good working
order had dropped and exploded With
united zeal everyone turned to and
took care OF Mrs Lotfett When she
was too i'll TO mind they had a lovely
time. They piled on blankets and
then held consultations and took
blankets on; they raised shades and
4 then decided TO lower them; they reg.
ulated what she ate and they talked
in subdued tones and kept the light
burning dimly And when she began
getting better they had grown SO TO
/ enjoy their unaccustomed authority
that the invalid could not cope with
them.
NO. no. mother" Ruth Loffett
would say, soothingly, II Mrs. Lodett
attempted to throw back one of her
bed coverings, you must keep that
on. Youll catch cold"
But I'm really too warm" protest
ed the invalid.
You'll feel all right presently"
Ruth would say In level tones as she
tucked back the blanket about her
parent, Just lie still, mother"
Loffett was exactly as bad When
she appealed TO him he merely shook
his head and said Nov, mother. you
just lia quiet and let us manage
things"
Rebellion slowly grew In the breast
of the invalid
As she felt the returning health in
her veins her eyes often snapped after
she had been routed and laid low by
some solcitous member OF the family
The idea that Ruth, who was scarcely
past the ago when she had been
spanked and put to bed supperless,
was actually bosslng her reused Mrs.
Loffetts grim ire.
Likewise that Henry, who only
short time ago had been refused more
Jam, should be regulating what she
ate and depriving her of what she
wanted bewiltered and irritated her
The day Mrs Loffett said she want
ed TO get up the entire family proceed
ed 10 shrek In horror
No, mother" said Loffett, anxious
ly, you stay In bed and get a good
rest while you have the chance"
Il should say sol" added Ruth Bof-
fett. And let me wait on you. am
so glad to do it, Don't throw that
| cover back motherl"
And il you get up" put In Henry.
Jr., you'll be-eating all sorts of things
| that you shouldn't You wanted grid
die cakes this morning, rememberl
Grlddle cakes. motherl" Henry spoke
In tones Of horror
Then Ruth lowered the shades five
inches and Henry absentmlndedly
raised them 16 inches. while Lotfett
distracted the salt cellar on her table
and removed one slice Of toast from
her tray. You must not overeat," he
reminded her
Now, Just lie quiet, mother" they
said in chorus as they left her.
Alone, Mrs Loffett breathed hard
and glared at the ceiling. Haven't
! got sense enough to know when I'm
well?" she demanded of herself,
finally Then she smiled grimly 10
herself.
"fll be all right with this maya
zine" she told Ruth when that young
person had brought UP a scanty lunch
con, you run along to that card
party this afternoon. | shan't need
thing"
I'm tell Mary" said Ruth, dubious
ly, TO keep an eye on you. don't
like leaving you at all, mother You'll
be sure to do something foolish
"Oh MOI! promised Mrs Loffett-
while she clutched the bed clothes in
order to restrain herself
When Mary appeared, according to
promise, to cast her eye upon the in
valid che found Mrs. Loffett up and
dressed
How do you do, Mary?" said the In
valid, casually y wish you would 90
back downstairs and bake me a lot OF
griddle cakes at once. And bring
plenty of butter and strip. And ri
have coffee, 100 and you might as well
fry an egg or so while you are about
It. I'm hungry"
The family. walking In upon Mrs.
Loffett just as she finished her repast,
fell against the wall and then stag
gered toward the telephone.
You needn't call the doctor" or
dered Mrs Loffett Il just phoned
him that was well and he needn't
come around I'm tired Of this fool
ishness. Ruth, you'd better change
that dress at once. Henry, have You
fixed the furnace? And, father, what
on earth are you wearing that disrepu
bic tie for?"
Then the family fell itself slide back
into it's several places with a JOLT
Mexican Mines Becoming Wells.