Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-06-17
MARY'S
BOARDER
By LINCOLN RoTHBLUM

~ I
she was very plain to look at; the
sort one passes in a crowded street
or busy department store without even
q ~subconscious second thought. But
with her name and appearance ended
Mary's plainness. Resplendent as a
flaming torch, her character Of sacri-
icing unselfishness shone forth.
Mary's mother, having set for her
daughter 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
five and twenty years past. Here
had, indeed, been a service unher-
aided and nnacclaimed. Mary as
sumed the role thus vacated without
murmur or thought Of protest and in
equally silent fashion the head Of the
household and Its four male heirs
took for granted that 1t was proper
and fitting for Mary to serve n
meet their wants; took 1t for granted
with customary masculine complac-
ency.
And so, when rising costs and re-
stricted earnings necessitated the adj
ditional income that could be derived
from a boarder, Mary uttered no syl-
liable of complaint that her work would
be thus increased.
It 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, gingerly deposited
his very new valise close to the door,
as If to have 1t Immediately ready
should the course of events deem
hasty departure ~expedient.
Mary's father hung his hat and coat
on a nearby hook. reached for his
smoke-blackened m~eerschaum 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 filed the kitchen with pillows
of steam.
'aThis way is your ROOM" she mo
notonously dr0ned, and reached tt
pick I'D the valise. The man looked
his surprise at the action and inter
cepted her movement to carry thu
cumbersome baggage. Physical ant
mental relief that the effort was de
MED her demanded no attempt to un
derstand the reason, and, followed b.
the boarder, she started up the stair
-rickety and s~queaking their com
plant of every step placed upon tn
age-worn framework.
She threw open the door leading
into q small and cleanly-furnishe'
bedroom, and, after informing hir
that the quarters, however close
would be shared with the younges
member Of the family, declared: "SuT
per's at six when they're all here"
Evidently that night they were "a
here" but supper proved itself to+b
a dreary affair, enlivened only b
Mary's constant trips between tab
and stove for additional quantities {
foods. which were as hastily cor
sumed as served. The b0arder al
sparingly and watched Mary avid
ously. AS the meal was concluded
record time and the father and brotl
ers walked out onto the miniatul
piazza, where the air, however heav
was less sitting than the kitchen a
mosphere, the boarder, unnoticed, r
NAMED seated at the table and watcl
ed, with sympathetic interest, Il
process of Its being cleared.
aDon't you eat any supperT ]
finally permitted himself to ask as
witnessed the deposit OF the dish
into pans provided for their cleansin
Mary looked up, startled at bell
Lr# "--9 -
addressed. "Why-er-why- 81
stammered, "Tm generally a lit
tired to eat" She turned back to b
work, and as she attempted to lift t
kettle Of hot water from the sto'
she gazed with %incredulous ama2
ment upon the boarder as he perforl
ed the heavy task for her. His que
ton followed on the heels of his
ton.
sMay / help with the dishesT" Al
quite before Mary had time to thi
what to answer, the boarder was w
ing and polishing the cups and plat
as fast as she could wash and rim
them. In silence they worked, a
the sun had not vet dropped out
sight when the kitchen was set In
der for the night
Don't the boys help you as a rule
he asked.
81 sort Of don't expect them t
came the tardy response, half apo
getically. Mary had not realized h
tired she was. and a soft and sw
AThank YOU preceded her hasty fil
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