Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-08-08
ELLEM'S VACATION
BY MARY r. WENTWORTH.
80. Z. observation-disclosures
1918, by the Mech
per Syndlcate.)


as supper ready, Ellen?' asked
Hiram, os he appeared in the kitchen
door.
mot quite, Hiram, but 1t will be in
just few minutes" calmly answered
his wife, as she hurried to prepare the
evening meal.
Hiram was always grumbllng when
the meals were not on time, and poor
Ellen was Outlines discouraged.
Having eaten in silence hardly no
tlclng the tired wife who could scarce
IL force the food into her mouth. he
left the table and went into the kltch-
en-, took his cap and started for the
barn.
ELLEN! Ellenw called Hiram from
the barn door. "Yes," shouted Ellen,
rising from the table. where she had
remained sitting. too tired to move.
"Bring me them milk pals, and don't
keep me waiting as you did for supper
I'm In hurry. as l have to drive over
to WIN Jnckson's to see about a COW
he has to SELL"
Poor Ellen How her feet ached and
how tired she was; but she knew 1t
was no use to complain.
"Why couldn't he have asked me to
ride over 10 the Jackson's? 1t is a
long time since / was over there, and
Mrs. Jackson is the dearest little WON
ang
Ellen, with much bitterness in her
heart, sat long into the twilight. She
had been wondering how she could
cure her husband Of his grumbllng
and his selfishness. II have It," thought
Ellen, strengthening up, "Ill have VA
cation. But I'll not mention n vaca-
ton TO Hiram" she told herself.
Next morning Ellen hurried to get
her work done, and as Hiram was
away for the day there was no dinner
to get so Ellen few round to pack up
what articles she would need, and lay
ing the table ready for supper, she
took her vnlise and went to the guest
chamber In the far corner of the big
house and prepared to make herself
comfortable. "What a vacation; and
in ones own house, too" she
chuckled.
Hiram returned, and not seeing
Ellen, thought she must have run out
for a few minutes and would be In
presently, as II was near supper time,
but Hiram was doomed to disappoint-
ment, for Ellen did not come and HI
ram was forced to eat what was left
for him on the table. He wondered
what kept her. but had no fear OF
her staying overnight.
Finishing his chores, he sat down on
the piazza and waited. How long he
he went into the house and went to
bed.
Morning came and still no Ellen
"Where can she be?" he asked himself
and a fear clutched his henrt as he
thought how he had neglected her.
Breakfast time came and he knew
not what to prepare for himself, but
knowing he had TO eat something, he
went into the pantry. and finding moth
ing but a dish of eggs and a loaf OF
bread, he felt such Il sickenlng feeling
he was obliged to sit down. He won
dered how he should get meal with
just bread and eggs. "Well. l sup
pose l can cook some eggs" he said
wish Ellen was home. I'm not used
to this housekeeping business" he
muttered
He did not think to find fault be-
cause she had not left him anything
cooked. How lonesome the house
seemed Hiram looked around and
wondered If she had taken any Of her
things. Yes, her coat and hat were
not In their accustomed places, and
her vallse was nowhere TO be seen.
yes she has gone" sighed Hiram.
But whereof OH If she would only
come back He busted himself clear
ing the table, and washed the dishes
and dried them after fashion.
He was not used to homework,
and II was awkwardly that he
placed them In the neat cupboard.
" AAN - i'A VI Allit II AtNht lpb II
was nearly noon now Where had the
forenoon gone tor He did not realize
it took So much time to do the house
work. No wonder poor Ellen could not
always have the meals on time. oh.
II She would only comet 81 won't say
anything again II the meals are a lit
tie late II she will only come back"
said Hiram. "Oh, dear little woman !
I've neglected her shamcfuly, and |
bet | Will know how IN appreciate her
after this Somehow the day came to
a close, and another, and stlll another
and Hiram was almost a nervous
wreck.
Ellen, from her room, watched how
he was taking his medicine" knew
when to "come home" and was sitting
in her rocker In the kitchen as Hiram
came In, looking worn and hnggard. as
IL years instead Of days had been
passed. He got one glimpse Of her and
fairly flew To her side. "Oh. Ellen !
My darling :" shouted Hiram ms he
snatched her 10 hts breast "Forgive
me, dear, for the harsh words and neg
lecttulneSs, and let me make up to You
for fba poat Cana Iaar - -. -.