Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-06-23
MARY'S
BOARDER
By LINCOLN RoTHBLUM
&c. 1870. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate

t&a 1870. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
She bad plain name. Surely moth
ing could be palmer than Mary. And
she was very plain to look at; the
sort one passes in q crowded street
or busy department store without even
subconscious second thought. But
with her name and appearance ended
Mary's plainness. Resplendent as a
flaming torch. her character of sacri-
fcing unselEshness shone forth.
Mary's mother, having set for her
laughter the example. had quietly
gone to her last rest; quite as calmly
and meekly as she had served her
husband and four sons during the
i've anG twenty years past. Here
had, indeed, been a service unher-
aided and unacclaimed. Mary as
sumed the role thus vacated without
murmur or thought of protest and in
equally silent fashion the head of the
household and it's fOWr male heirs
took for granted that it was proper
ard fitting for Mary to serve and
meet their wants; took 1t for granted
with customary masculine cOmplac-
ency.
And so, when rising costs and re-
stricted earnings Decessitated the adj
ditonal income that could be derived
from boarder, Mary uttered no syl-
liable of complaint that her work would
be thus increased.
1t was one of those hot nights in
July when even the setting of the sun
seemed TO bring no surcease from the
torrid humidity OF the day. From the
| stove, steaming with the evenings sup
per, Mary turned a par-boiled counte-
nance as the door was showed wider
open and her father entered with the
"bOarder" who, as he timidly follow
ed INTO the room, eagerly deposited
his very new valise close TO the door,
as if to have it Immediately ready
should the course Of events deem
hasty departure expedient.
Mary's father hung his hat and coat
on nearby hook, reached for his
smOke-blackened meerschaum from the
shelf above the sink, cleared his throat
and said by way of Introduction :
MARY, this is the boarder." Then
he trudged from the room, leaving
murky traces of mortar across the
floor TO testify to his profession.
Mary encouraged the fire with an
| other block of wood and aggravated
the pot of stew by vigorous stirring,
which filled the kitchen with pillows
of steam.
This way is your ROOM" she mo-
notonously droned. and reached 10
pick up the valise. The man looked
his surprise at the action and inter
copied her movement to carry the
cumbersome baggage. Physical and
mental relief that the effort was de.
MED her demanded no attempt to I'M
derstand the reason, and, followed by
the boarder, she started up the stairs
-rickety and squeaking their com
plant of every step placed upon the
age-wOrn framework.
She threw open the door leading
into small and cleanly-furnished
bedroom, and, after informing him
that the quarters. however close,
would be shared with the youngest
member of the family, declared: Sup
per's at six when they're all here"
Evidently that night they were "all
here" but supper proved itself TO be
dreary affair, enlivened only by
Mary's constant trips between table
FIR u1d 81 -
foods, which were as hastily con-
sumed as served. The boarder ate
sparingly and watched Mary avidl-
Jusly. AS the meal was concluded in
record time and the father and broth
ers walked out onto the miniature
piazza, where the air, however heavy,
was less sitting than the kitchen at
nosphere, the boarder. unnoticed, re-
manned seated at the table and watch
ed, with sympathetic interest, the
process of its being cleared.
Don't you eat any supper" he
finally permitted himself to ask as he
witnessed the deposit of the dishes
into pans provided for their cleansing.
Mary looked up, startled, at being
addressed. "Why-er-why-" she
stammered. I'm generally a little
tired to eat" She turned back TO her
work, and as she attempted TO lift the
kettle of hot water from the stove
she gazed with incredulOus amaze
ment upon the bOarder as he perform
ed the heavy task for her. His ques-
ton followed on the heels of his ac-
ton.
MAY ] help with the dishes?" And
quite before Mary had time TO think
what to answer, the boarder was wip-
ing and polishing the cups and plates
as fast as she could wash and rinse
them. In silence they worked, and
the sun had not yet dropped out of
sight when the kitchen was set in or
der for the night.
Don't the boys help you as ruler
he asked.
81. sort of don't expect them to-"