The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-27
DOING her DUTY
D. LOUISE CAREY.

A man, somewhat middle-aged. sat
on the back steps Of q house In the
outskirts Of the town Of Royalton. and
whistled as he put an edge on his AZ
with q milestone.
In the kitchen behind him 4 middle
aged woman was clearing on the
breakfast table and putting things to
rights. He whistled and she sang, for
there was no trouble on the minds Of
Mr.. Harris and his wife. Their only
child daughter Of nineteen-had
been married to Lawrence Marion
three months before and was q happy
bride.
The latch Of the gate clicked and
the man called to his wife:
Susan, someone Is 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 kitch-
en-, sat down and put her head down
on the table and began crying.
1t was ten minutes before she raised
her head and wiped away the tears
and said:
1T guess Lawrence and are going
to parti"
"Now, Nettie, what's 1t all about?'
said her mother. Does Lawrence hnd
fault1"
"No, not in words-not to me. But
4 - 4, he ~ a. <h~<
he thought young man a fool to mar
ry."
"If he doesn't find fault in words,
what does he dor"
HE hardly eats a thing. He has
got In the habit Of going out nights"
where tor
HE plays billiards, / guess"
Tut he never speaks harshly to
your
TITS In his actions. Sometimes !
think he looks at me with contempt
There is no question but that he IL
sick Of his bargain. II Lawrence
doesn't change I don't think I 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 some
thing. 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 OF on me. You wouldn't
help me about the housework so much
as to sweep a floor or set the table.
You didn't make your own bed half
the time"
"But / was a girl. mother"
"Yes, and you are getting your re
ward. wanted to teach you house
work for your own good when you
were married. but you had an excuse
every time, You are not making q
home for Lawrence Marion. and he
realizes the fact. ! am going home
with you and stay long enough to show
you how to do It."
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 II looked worse
than ever. She looked around with q
Sigh, and then took OF her hat and
said:
I'VE have got to wash the dishes
and sweep up. the frst thing"
But Lawrence never seems to no.
dce how the house looks"
The dishes were. nevertheless,
washed. wiped and put away. and the
floor was swept. Then the mother
asked:
when did you mop the kitchen
door lastf"
why, / never mop II. Lawrence
said he'd hire a woman some day"
"Pin up your skirt and get at It."
The hopping was done.
Does Lawrence like steak for din
nerT she asked. as they sat down to
rest.
"Not very well, / guess
Probably not, the way you cook
til Do You know porterhouse from
n round1"
why, ! always tell the butcher .
pound and half Of steak
When Mr.. Marion came home that
evening he had so many surprises in
store for him that he had to take them
one by one. The house was clean,
light and airy. He had the best din
ner he had eaten since he left his
mothers table. He took q peep into
the kitchen and smiled. He was talk.
alive and smiling. and. after the meal,
he said to his wife:
"You are dressed up as II you were
going somewhere
I'VE are going somewhere" she
laughed.
Il promised to play billiards to-
night. but will cut 1t out II you want
to 60 to the lecture at Royal hall.
You see. you are In the habit Of sit
ting down with a book In the evening
and as am no bookist have had to
turn to something else. Yes. well 60
to the lecture and have a good time"
Lawrence did not have to get up
next morning and prepare his own bite
Of breakfast. 1t was ready for him.