Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-11-01

at their house for the 0Fot time - -
filled with a b0yish delight-and over
anxious that 1t will be o success. He
IL proud of his home and wants to
have 1t admired: he is proud OF his
wife and proud Of his friend and wants
them really to like each other. She Is
pleasant hut just a little more dignt'
fed than Is absolutely necessary;
there Is q slight air Of cOnstraint : talk
does not flow freely. The fountain OF
his friends wit throws only q timid.
tentative spray occasionally and causes
only the faintest splash Of Q half
smile. After the coffee things bright.
en- up q little and v e the cigars the
two talk over old butt Is not q real
trio. When goodnight time comes
and he goes to the door and helps his
friend ON with his coat, and they stand
on the steps q few minutes. look up
at the stars and discuss the weather
prospects. there seems q note missing
In the music. Both are conscious
Of 1t.
When he hurries back to the dining
room, where they have tarried because
it seemed more comfortable, to hear
the verdict of the jury Of one, he Is
disappointed even though he feared 1t
was prejudiced. The first remark.
Hasn't he large handsi" does not
seem really vital but 1t Is significant.
He does get credit for dressing well
but al this was to be expected, 1t does
not count. He laughs too loudly: he
seems conceited; he mispron0unced
four words: he called her husband by
some flippant nickname; he has such
strange views Of religion, she Is sure
he is an atheist: there must be some
thing wrong with his family, he never
mentioned any Of them; she would
wager anything there Is a cruel streak
in him for she could tell 1t by the ex-
| preston of his mouth. She seems to
have a certain pleasure In checking of
the items, seemingly unconscious OF
the pain she Is giving. In her preju-
| diced mood even st. Paul would be dis
qualified had he come In rs Il friend
upon whom the husband depended for
affection, counsel and cOmradeship.
In the days that follow the resent
full rebellion stimulated by the defense
and protest helps her to find new flaws
and defects, and the never falling
trickle of comment and criticism may
begin to wear away a rock Of friend
ship. The friends visits become short
er as the interval between them grows
longer and then cease The husband
occasionally meets him downtown and
he chafes at the thought that he is not
treating him sQuarely; it seems dis"
loyal, but he cannot see how to change
it. He frets at the curtailment OF his
freedom; he does not speak of the
meeting at home. He knows that II he
should speak it would mean u fnsllade
of questions, not of real interest but OF
curiosity, the instinct Of being on guard
like a sentry whose duty 1t Is to chat
lenge. He does not care to invite the
inauisitlon. 1t is sad when Il wife
even through o%verzealous loving, closes
with her own hand the door of hel
husbands confidence; 1t mny rust OF
its hinges and become difficult to re
open.
Other friends of his may be dropped
overheard in many ways and for man.
excuse but with the same real rea
son. One may borrow money, anothe
ma have bad table manners whicl
} her comments convert into almost
crime. a third Is not tolerated becauS
Of his wife, and SO the catalogue OF ex
tinguishing the lights Of Friendship
runs on until all the old ones ar
snuffed into darkness and forgetful
, ness. The friends then are the neV
ones they have made together sine
their marriage and her old friend
that are new to him. They are thos
that have not weathered the storm
r and trials of life and been tested an
: found staunch and true.
The old friendships carry with ther
e a sentiment d~eep.rooted In the past,
4 sweetness, a tenderness, a loyalty,
communion Of memories and expo
G riences that cannot be duplicated
' after life. They r like old book
that we have loved for years. Tn
binding is worn and smoothed by on
hands and by dear hands now stille
I forever; the inscription with the dat
is growing fainter for the eyes to d
cipher but easier for the heart to read
there are passages that helped and II
spired US still loyalty retaining OF
penciled lines SO we could turn
them in perfect confidence whenevt
we desire.
There Is the thumb.mark that foot
n memory with q glow Of hnllOwed gol'
en- light, for only we know what
I. means. There Is the turned down pal
d it would seem %irreverence to TO
back 2; there ore dim, dried brown tin
h on the margins that somehow sugge
the autumn Of our years; there Is Il
fern-leaf slipped in that night we sha
r. never forget while a smile IL still le
70 In the heart, and the narrow ribbt
n book.mark Is faded and crinkled. Al
the whole book Is dear to us and '
ID love It and we trust It. 1t has an no
II est feel as we open 1t and It speal
N the some old words just In the san
81 old way with no slightest chant
If through all the years. The new et
tons In green and gold are beautlf
4. but they seem so self.conscious al
i assertiye: they look new and tn,