The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-01
The Head Of the
House
By EIENOR HOLMES

tyrdnnZe over your
Tyrannize over me? Why, mother.
what do you meanr'
II mean just what l say. william
is tyrant. Didn't hear him refuse
to give you the money you needed for
your fall hat?"
Martha thought moment, then smil-
ed. "You heard me ask him for S. for
a hat. He said he would not give me
So. for ! couldn't get much Of hat
tor that. He gave me So"
"Oh, he did, did her He probably
! did that to make you feel easy at hav-
Ing to go without a new cloak. Ten
dollars for hat saves $40 for a cloak
"But don't need a cloak. I spent
500 for one last November"
what! That old thing with a sheep
skin collar! 1t isn't fit for a servant
| girl to wear"
"Why, mother. dear. that collar Is
mink. and the cloak is as good as new"
"That's not saying.much for it. You
| are the shabbiest dressed woman l
know of. When was your age made
| yOuI luIhSh IoHy UP ioi Nhul WoiC'
I told him it would be time enough for
me to dress shabby when I'd got old.
I didn't intend to look like bundle
| Of rags when l was young and hand
some. AS soon as we were married
let him understand that I wasn't to
be his slave. And that's what every
! wife needs to do right off. The longer
she puts off the harder it's going to be
| to get the upper hand"
| "But, mother, don't want the upper
| hand VIII and manage our affairs
Jointly"
| eff your father would have listened
to me we would have been rich today.
| OF course I couldn't 60 into his store
and run 1t; 1 had too much to do Mt
home. The consequence is he was al
ways buying goods he couldn't sell and
trusting persons who wouldn't pay,
and that's the reason I've had to be
contented to be a poor mans wife.
But when l had him at home I tell
you made him toe the mark"
The young wife smiled. She knew
her mothers idiosyncrasies, and she
knew, too. that actors are not usually
takers. She considered her mother
harmless, and instead of being infiu.
enced by her she humored her.
you must remember. mother" she
said, "that all women don't have the
flrmness that you have"
"All right, If you want to take a
back seat and let a man ride rough
shod over you. For my part, I don't
intend to let any man boss me-"
Now, during the last words Of this
dialogue Mr.. Bumbleton came into the
house and walked upstairs. His
wife's hearing was not of the best, and
she was not aware Of his approach.
On reaching the door Of the room
where mother and daughter were talk.
ing he paused and looked in. His
wife's back was to him. while his
daughter faced him. When his wife
spoke her last sentence he smiled at
Martha, then. assuming a severe ex.
preston. walked into the room.
"Amelia," he said to his wife stern.
", II thought told you to have the
lock on the front door fixed. I've been
fumbling with It for long time. l
come home tired with business, think.
ing have a wife at home to attend
to these little necessities, and, behold,
nothing is done. Why didn't you do
! as told your
"Why, Henry, I forgot It."
Forgot 1t! Do you consider that
any excuse for neglecting your du.
tiess'
"Now, Henry, I'm awful sor"-
SORRY! Does being sorry prevent
my struggling to get into my own house
half the afternoon? Hereafter I'd have
you to understand that when tell you
to do anything want you to do it,
"IIl telephone for the locksmith AT
once" And she started for the booth.
Come back here. Don't you know
you can't get a workman after 5
O'Clock? What's the matter with you.
anyway
During this storming the father cast
occasional glances at his daughter, who
frowned her orders for him to desist.
At this point she broke In:
| Papa, you are very unkind. Mother
didn't feel well this morning and
told her she had better lie down and
take rest while I made her cup of
tea. She didn't eat much breakfast,
you know. There now; that's a good
papa! Don't scold any more"
With this she went to her father and
| put her hand over hs mouth.
Every well; for your sake, my dear,
III overlook your mothers negligence
this time, but IL 1t occurs again.
He got no further, for his words
were stopped by kiss from Martha.
At that moment Martha's husband
| came in.
whats upT' be asked.
, "Oh, nothing much" replied his ia
ther-in-law. II just found it necessary
to exercise my authority as head Of
| the house. 1 would recommend YOU to
begin your wife's training early"
''That'l do, papa" said Martha.
"You needn't trouble yourself to in
struct my husband as to how he shall