Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-04-30
MRS. JUDSON PROFITEB
WHEN HER LIEGE LORD APPLIED
SHELLAc TO THE STAIRS
Further Proof, If Any Mas Needed
That Man as a Help at House
Cleaning Time Has His Dis
tinct Limitations.

Mr.. Judson laid aside his evening
paper and looked about the neat iv-
ing room, House cleaning's about
over, isn't it, Martha" he asked.
Almost" responded his wife.
there's the kitchen to clean, and the
cellar to be whitewashed, and the
front stairs ought to be freshened up
What would you use on them, VIII
liam?
"Shellac," said Mr.. Judson, with
prompt interest; that will dry quick
ly, and as we have no back stairs.
that's an important point. I'll brfag
home the stuff tomorrow night. and do
it before 1 go to bed. You can go uR
first, and stay, so that the stairs won't
have to be used, and by morning
they'll be as good as new"
Accordingly, the next evening, ME-
Judson sent his wife off to bed at ten
promptly, although he did not leave
his reading until silence reigned up
stairs. Then he donned a big apron
and got out his brushes and sheilac-
"Just as well to wait until there's nc
one round to make suggestions" he
mused; women never understand how
much better q man can work by him
self"
Mr.. Judson was a deliberate and
conscientious worker, sighting no de-
tail, and in an hour or so the figE$
of stairs glistened in ali its original
freshness. Mr.. Judson surveyed t.
proudly from the lower hall. Then hts
jaw dropped.
"Thunder!" he muttered, disgustedr
iy. 81 ought to nave begun at the bos.
tom and worked up!"
But out of a momentary mental
chaos he clutched at the important
fact. He must go up backward, and
as he went, varnish over each foot
mark on the stair below. Mr.. Judsen
was portly and his sense of humor was
not keen. AS he backed cautiously up
the sticky stairs at midnight, can and
brush in hand, STOPPING to touch up
each abandoned step, with due regard
} to his blue bingham draperies, he be-
gan to breathe hard; but at last he
reached the top, and looking down,
, congratulated himself that no one
need know of his blunder. How beau
tifully the surface shone!
Then it slowly penetrated his con-
{ seriousness that one reason for the
pleasing illumination was the gas In
. the lower hall, the two burners of
i which had been turned high to light
I his earlier labors. Mr.. Judson hesi-
i tated, thought of the gas bill, remem-
bered that the front door was not
t locked, and restrained himself with a
/ sternness of ~self-control that Jared
y his nerve centers. There was only
d one thing to do, and he descended-on
u tiptoes. He left his large, sticky slip.
G pers at the foot of the stairs, to save
I the hall carpet, locked the front door
y turned outrthe gas, resumed his slip
g pers, and began his second occasional
e obliterating each footstep by the un.
IS certain light of the upper-hall gas. II
was not a quick job; the distance to q
ID celebrated spot in Ireland seemed te
e Mr.. Judson Insignificant in compari
ID son, although he made no audible com
Is ment until he stepped on his bIut
ID Bingham tail and sat down unexpect
Re edly on the top step. Then, forgetting
D. caution, he expressed himself in lout
e and jrriitated tones
2. A substantial vision in pink flannel
r. cite appeared at the bedroom door be
ut hind him; but realizing that baromet
IL ric pressure was high, it retired &
ly silently as it had come, with superl
It. wifely tact, before he had time to de
cd tach himself from the step and appI,
rs the final brushwork to his master
II piece. ~
I'll At breakfast Mrs. Judson's prafs
was unstinted, although she CASUAL.
IS deplored the traces of varnish on tn
or apron and slippers.
yes" Mr.. Judson admitted, with
to out looking up from the morning De
ng per, I'm afraid I did spill a little. B
or the way, Martha. isn't it about tim
vii for you to think of a new hat?"-
b. Youths Companion.