The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-21
The EUening Story
Roberts Reform.
(BY LOUISE Oliver !


a curve, wishing there ha d been more
| time for her sister to give directions
about the house and children. There
had been but few words hastily
shouted as the train pulled away to
the effect that the machine was wait
ing for her on the other side of the
station and that one Bob would
take her home.
She found the machine without an
| occupant, but got in and waited i'm
patiently Emily had written one
and unreliable, even addicted to the
use of questionable beverages.
Bob is living up to his reputation
thought Mildred with annoyance.
&" Bob shall be changed to Robert
| while am here. 1 shall have to be
careful to keep the upper hand and to
let him know that 1 am temporary
mistress and must be obeyed.''
| The newly christened Robert sud-
denly appeared beside the car 81
have been looking for your trunk,
Miss Ellis, but I can't find it,
| Il didn't bring any, Robert" an
swered Mildred stiffly. Those are my
| bags on the walk beside you. Please
hand them in to me and drive straight
| home"
| Robert looked at her curiously for
an instant, then grinned and obeyed.
| Yes, ma am said he.
Arrived at the house, he carried her
bags to the porch and touched his cap.
| IF you want anything done, miss, call
up " on your line. I'll come right
away"
piled with dignity Here's a quarter
for you if you promise not to spend it
for-for drink.
Robert took it gratefully. Thanks
| ever so much / promise
He's not so bad" Mildred unused |
as Robert took the machine back to !
the garage. Il believe that by proper |
management L could make man of
him. Sally''-to the little maid who |
| opened the door-''where does Bob,
mean Robert, stay?"
"Yonder. In that house over there" |
Il see. The garage" thought Mil |
bred. ''It will be all the easier for haV- |
ing him handy. / can keep eye |
on him all the time and see that he |
is kept busy. The devil finds work |
for idle hands, as our club president |
said in her speech"
Then Mildred, 20 years old and |
brand-new member of the Milford |
Civic club, went down before an ava
lanche of hugs and kisses from two
pairs of chubby little arms. The worst |
thing in the world to the twins was to
have mamma and daddy go away. The
best thing in the world was to have
Aunt Mildred come.
After lunch, Mildred decided on a
ride for herself and the children.
When they returned, she discovered
mud on the porch, tracked there by
Jip, the dog. Robert she cried,
put away the car and then get the
Yes, ma'am," answered Robert,
touching his hat.
TT will keep him from loafing this
afternoon" Mildred applauded her
self. There won't be any time for
mischief. And, Robert, when you're
done with the porch. go over the car.
1 wish it kept clean and in good order
while I am here"
Eyes, miss"
Mildred put in the afternoon writ
ing letters. and after Daisy and
David had had their maps she played
with them on the lawn. She kept one
vigilant eye on the garage, however
and knew to a minute when Robert
was done with the car.
AN hour until dinner!" she studied.
Then, Robert
He appeared in the doorway in
stantly.
-'Jip has been rolling in the mud. L
wish you would wash him when you
are through. Put him in a laundry
tub and see that he is well dried. Then
roll him in his blanket and put him in
the kitchen"
YES, miss" 7
81 don't zee what Sis means about :
the man being lazy. He seems per- !
fectly willing to co whatever 1 tell :
him. She doesn't understand how to
manage him." she concluded. A little
later she called out: :
sally, when Robert is through with ,
his dinner send him in to me-
He doesn't eat here, Miss Mildred" =
answered the maid. +
"Oh, indeed exclaimed Mildred. :
''Well, he shall after this. L want =
him where can watch him." :
She had scarcely swallowed the last
spoonful of dessert before she went h
to the telephone and called UP 'Y" on $
the line. +
IT want you to come up to the
house if you have had your dinner, .
Robert" .
Yes, miss!''
A few minutes later she faced him .
in the kitchen. She was starting upon :,
the hardest part of her reform. =
Robert, L have picked out i'm
proving book, and 1 am going to read +,
to you every evening for hour h
Robert did not answer. He was =,
seized with a violent spell OF cough
ing and sought relief in the open door n
way. Sally, callously ursympatheric, II
suddenly into the pantry. Il
Mildred repeated her remark about -
he reading.
yes, miss. Th-thank you, ma'am,'' !,
,hoked he, and followed his benefac- \
or into the library. She read from -
Emerson for an hour. The man n
banked her humbIy and gratefully h
md escaped to the kitchen. "
isis may think it unusual for me to 81
De reading to the chauffeur, but the q
,reak down the rigid lines of society Ie
whenever it will help fellowman. 81
Fourteen nights of Emerson and four h
cen busy days ought to keep Robert
straight" f.
Fourteen busy days Robert certainly
lad- He went errands, scrubbed We sc
andas, cleaned windows, operated the a.