The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-06-20
MARTHA HAD TACT
BY GERTRUDE TAATJES


was that pink dress of Mollie's to be
gotten ready and shirts for the boys
and their father.
Mechanically she started to iron
again, occasionally stopping to wipe
the beads Of perspiration that gath
cred on her hot forehead Once In
while cool breeze reached her from
the open window, but the kitchen was
unbearably hot.
The door bell rang. and as she
turned to answer 1t she brushed back
few loose strands of gray hair with
her hand. There was no life In her
movements, every bone in her body
ached and cried out for rest.
! Martial" she exclaimed, as she rec
ognized her visitor.
Yes, Dora" the other said, ARE you
surprised? Didn't you get my letter"
I got your letter yesterday, but
have been SO busy that haven't found
time to read it." Dora replied.
We'll, am sure that's nice thing
to do with sisters letter." Martha
answered and followed her sister to
the kitchen.
Haven't you got it hot in here,
| Dora?" she exclaimed and mercy,
look at that pile of ironing. No won
der you look all dragged out. What
are you trying to do to yourself?"
Her sister smiled YEARLY. did you
think | had nothing to do but sit
down." she asked
They fell to talking Of other things
and Martha told of how she had writ
ten she was coming for few weeks
rest, but am sure If anyone needed
rest It's you" she concluded.
Supper that night was unbearable
to Martha She couldn't see her sister
Shaving so for her family. This for
John, that for Dick. this for Mollie!
1t was really wicked for Dora to work
the way she did, and looking at her
brother-inlaw Martha felt rush or
resentment toward him for calmly &C
cepting all of his wife's attentions to
the entire neglect Of herself.
mo wonder he looks SO fine" she
thought HE is at least five years
older than Dora and looks ten years
younger
Supper ended. Martha expected her
sister to sit down and rest, but Mollie
aged twenty years, couldn't help with
the dishes as she was going out.
, Mother, did you iron that pink
dress told you to-" she asked. and or
, being told Yes went to get it. The
next minute she was calling to hel
{ mother that there was button on
"Why didn't you sew It on, mother?'
!, she cried
Il didn't have time, Mollie," he
! mother replied.
Z Then Dora, busy washing the dishes
], dried her hands and went to the foo
/, of the stairs In answer to a call from
! her husband. Say, Dora, where's tina
3 blue and white shirt Of miner" b
I Queried
I "I didn't get 1t done, John; 1t wa
I 30 hot today, and ! felt tired. Won
\ you wear one Of the othersy-
Z well, It's mighty funny can't hav
s the one want he answered crossl!
e "But l didn't suppose 1t mattered,
& Dora replied soothingly. Here, /
Y bring up the ones ironed today" an
& abe went to the clothes horse and too
4, down several shirts and brought thei
+ to her husband, patiently waitin
9 while he grumblingly selected one
], then having seen that he had all tn
2 articles that he possibly could nee'
4 abe started down the stairs agail
z when an urgent call from one OF tn
3 bows brought her to their room.
< When she came downstairs agar
p after having settled the affairs OF II
family, she washed the dishes. IN
sister was sitting waiting for her.
e "My sakes, Dora, If this is what W
Z go through every day it's a wond
! that YOU are not dead. Why do W
Z wait on them So? But Dora told b
! that she had done II as long as 81
I could remember, and 1t wasn't any u
/ in stopping 1t now; 1t was her duty.
T well, would like to know WI
i they would do if anything happen
y to YOU Martha said and you o'
! It to them and to yourself to take b.
z ter care of yourself.
= The next day was repetition OF I
other, and Martha Endicott had ma
- work to keep from saying what S
= thought. No, it wouldn't help to int
( fere in that manner but she felt TT
T she must find some method of saw
j her sister from her unnecessary a
z unappreciated sacrifice. OF cour
J there was no need Of It. They we
z all big and able to help themseiV
/ hut had acquired the habit of depel
E ing ON the mother for everything, a
+ Dora's love had fostered selhshness
The next day Dora complained O
Z headache and after much urging M
Z tina succeeded in getting her
T he'd. At first Dora rebelled at goI
: To bed when there was so much to
s# done, but the need of rest telling VI
80 her she soon fell asleep, and Mar
hnF