The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-24
EVENING STORY
Doing Her Duty.
(Ry Louise Corby.)

with a milestone.
In the kitchen behind him middle
breakfast table and putting things to
rights He whistied and she sang, for
there was no trouble on the minds of
Mr. Harris and his wife. Their only
child-a daughter of 19-had been
married to Lawrence Marion three
months before and was a happy bride.
The latch of the gate clicked and
the man called to his wife:
Susan, some one coming"
Let 'em come" she replied.
Hello, Nettie,' they both called out
as the daughter turned the corner OF
the house.
She walked past them into the
kitchen, sat down and put her head
down on the table and began crying.
MY stars, Nettie, but what is it
exclaimed the mother.
Has Lawrence broken a leg
asked the father
II can't talk now" Nettie sobbed.
The father and mother went out
on the steps and he whispered III her
ear:
last night?"
.'He never even drinks ginger ale"
"They might have had a quarrel
about the cat or-or something.
mo use guessing. Wait till she has
had her cry over.
raised her head and wiped away the
tears and said:
81 guess Lawrence and L are going
to part!"
! Now. Nettie. what's it all about ?"
said her mother Does Lawrence find
fault?"
mo, not in words-not to me- But
he told Mr. Riker the other day that
he thought young man fool to
marry"
what does he do?"
+ HE hardly eats a thing. He has got
in the habit of going out nights
Where to?
He plays billiards, I guess"
Z But he never speaks harshly to
your
s SIt's his action. Sometimes I think
he looks at me with contempt. There is
no question bat that he is sick of his
bargain. If Lawrence doesn't change
I don't think can live with him much
longer" sobbed the bride.
But he's going to change"
whats going TO change him ~
You are. Let me tell you something.
This is no surprise to me. I've been eX-
pecting it every day for month"
Then you knew that Lawrence was
Il knew that he wouldn't stand for
it"
why, mother,'
"Oh, this is going to be plain talk
From the time you were sixteen you
were always thinking of dress and
beauty and gadding around. Instead
of mending your own clothes, you put
the work off on me. You wouldn't
help me about the homework so much
as to sweep a floor or set a table You
didn't make your own bed half the
time"
But I was girl, mother
Yes, and you are getting your re-
ward. I wanted to teach you house
work for your own good when you
were married, but you had an excuse
every time
But Lawrence said he would be
glad to live on cheese and crackers"
pleaded the young wife.
Il don't blame you for believing
him, but all young men of his age are
soft At any rate, in his case he has
turned from crackers and cheese, and
you've got something coming to YOU
Shes coming homel' said the
father
'On the contrary. John Harris,
am going home with her to stay at
least two weeksi"
DO you mean it, mother?"
Il do You are not making a home
for Lawrence Marion, and he realizes
the fact. l am going to stay long
enough to show you how to do it, and
your father must cook his own meals
and make his own bed
But-but-" began the daughter.
Not a word. Nettie. I'll be ready
in twenty minutes
OF course the mother had been in
the daughters house at least once
a week, and each time she could have
found fault with the way it was kept
but on this occasion it looked worse
than ever. She looked around with a
sigh, and then took off her hat and
said:
I'VE have got to wash the dishes
and sweep up, the first thing
But Lawrence never seems to no
tice how the house looks
The dishes were, nevertheless,
floor was swept. Then the mother
asked:
When did you mp the kitchen
floor last?''
why, 1 never mop it. Lawrence
said he'd hire a woman some day"
Pin up your skirt and get at it,
The hopping was done with many
a sigh and a groan, but it was done.
While the wife worked at it. the
mother overhauIed the pantry and the
bread box, and found a basketful of
scraps to throw away.
Does Lawrence like steak for din
ner?' she asked, as they sat down to
rest.
Not very well, 1 guess"
Probably not, the way you cook it,
Do you know a porterhouse from
round?'
Why, always tell the butcher
pound and a half of steak
And he probably sends you a neck
piece. You telephone him for a por-
terhouse, and if it's anything else
back it will go. What's the matter
with that clock ,"
Il forgot to wind it,
Then do it, now. Wen go and in
spect the flour box as we are to have
hot biscuits for dinner. Have you
tried 20 make any yet"
Yes. but they were like lead"
easiest thing in the world to have