Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-03-23
Bv ELENOR HOLMES


"What! That old thing with sheep
skin collar! It isn't 1T for 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 1t. You
are the shabbiest dressed woman I
know Of. When was your age made
your father pony up for what I WORE
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 I was young and hand
some. AS soon as we were married l
let him understand that wasn't to
be his slave. And that's what every
wife needs to do right of. The longer
she puts of the harder it's going to be
to get the upper hand"
"But, mother, don't want the upper
hand. Will and I manage our affairs
Jointly"
IF your father would have listened
to me we would have been rich today.
OF course I couldn't 60 into his store
and run It; I had too much to do at
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 poor mans wife.
But when I had him at home I tell
you I 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, ana instead of being influ-
enced By her she humored her.
"You must remember, mother" she
said, that all women don't have the
flrmness that you have"
"Au right, If you want to take a
back seat and let a man ride rough
shod over you. For my part, 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
", Il thought I told you to have the
lock on the front door fixed. I've been
fumbling with 1t 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 I told you?"
"Why, Henry, forgot it."
"Forgot 1t! Do you consider that
any excuse for neglecting your du-
ties?'
"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,
I'll 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
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 l
told her she had better lie down and
take rest while I made her a cun 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 his mouth.
Every well; for your sake, my dear,
I'll overlook your mothers negligence
this time, but If it occurs again.
He got no further, for his words
were stopped by a kiss from Martha.
At that moment Martha's husband
came in.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing much" replied his IA
ther-in-law. II Just found it necessary
to exercise my authority as head of
the house. I would recommend you to
begin your wife's training early"
"That'll do, papa,'' said. Martha.
"You needn't trouble yourself to in
struct my husband as to how he shall
treat me. I'll attend to that"
"Just co." Then to his wife, rs din
ner ready, dear?"
''I'l go and see"
The poor woman hustled out and In
a few moments called for the others
to come to dinner. Mr.. Bumbleton
opened a bottle Of wine and called to
the others to join him in drinking the
health Of the best woman in the world,
though he confessed that at times she
was trif1e forgetful