Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-07-03

operations fof the next.
This meeting sometimes lasted till
six or seven o'clock. Laura Ladd, as
the general managers confidential
stenographcr, was always in attend
ance. She and he. father came home
together. Jack never waited for them.
At this moment Laura was laying
the cloth for supper. She gave her
brother CHEEKY Hello, Jack!" as
he sauntered into the dining-room.
1t was seldom that Laura saw her
brother during the day. Her duties
kept her in the general managers S
suite of offices, and she took her
luncheon in the Nomens restaurant,
which was distinct from the mems;
smoking was permitted in the latter.
The family soon sa; down to sup.
per.
Going to rehearsal tonight, dad?"
asked Jack.
"Yes. shall have to work hard
to get up in this part Of Arius, the
gladiator. 1T is one of the heaviest
| ever played. There is a cestus-
d
great deal OF preparation
"A what hehff" inquired Mrs.
Ladd with scorniul snort.
"A fight in which the gladiators
will each wear a cestus."
IL don't understand"
why, you know. mother" ex-
planned her husband humbly, "gladia.
tors in the Roman amphitheaters
used sometimes to wear cestus on
their hands. 1t enabled them to del
liver deadly blow. Indeed, it was
not uncommon for fighter to be
killed i'll this sort of duel"
How wicked! What did you say
is the name of this drama?"
1.-The Mercy of Nero"
IL have always understood Nero
hadn't any mercy. | don't think
plays founded on profane history
should be allowed. They seem to
tell Of nothing but fighting and
bloodshed.
But. mother interposed Laura
quietly. you find the same sort OF
thing IN sacred history
What do you mean, Laura?" de-
manded the good lady in an awful
voice.
"Well, David killed Goliath in a
duel. Then there was Samson
slaughtering people right and lett;
he slew thousand with the jawbone
of an ass at one time, we are told
And you remember what happened
10 Pharaoh and his hosts in the
Red Sea, and"
Bravo, Laura!" shouted Jack.
His mother looked at him in a way
that made him wish he had no,
spoken.
"John!"
Having squelched her son. she pro-
ceeded to settle her husband. She
began a homily which lasted ali
through the meal.
In IT she reminded them that Co.
Hath and the other people killed
were all wicked and deserved death,
1t was different IN ancient Rome.
The gladiators were wicked them.
serves. AT least, she Was ashamed
to think OF her husband appearing ON
stage before respectable folks,
some Of them ladies, as half-naked
savage, with that dreadful cistern, OF
whatever II was, in his hand TO kill
another man. And all 10 amuse
people who might be employing then
time in much more profitable way!
"Wha. is a cis-cist orius" She sud-
denly demanded, breaking off Ill her
discourse.
"A ces,us, ma, corrected Laura.
We'll. cesius, then. What is III
Her husband had renamed silent,
with his head benz, under the storm.
HE knew better than 10 speak nntil
he was addressed. Now that hat
vile had pontedly asked him a
question. he chmked up anG replied
with a glibness which showed he had
The subject at his iinger-snds:
"A eesius, my dear, Is a gauntlet ol
rawhide, strengthened with plates oi
lead or iron. When firmly fastened
ON II made most effective weapon
in the arena.
"A sort of knuckle-duster - eh
dad?" put IN Jack.
John, m surprised thai w,
show Familiarity with such boT
ribie invrn,,ons. said his mother