The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-09-30
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Jessie was coming TO the old home
Jessie the sparkle Jessie the flash.
She had been out West with her hus-
band and would visit for only q week.
but even that was treasured antici-
pated boon to John Dexter and his
wife.
Just think Of II, father, 10 see the
dear girl again" spoke Mrs. Dexter
with mOtherly tenderness. "Of course
she has written every week and have
kept up her letters, but that isn't like
having her ali to ourselves under the
old home roof"
Shell be welcome as the flowers In
spring, mother" acclaimed John DeI-
ter. Il suppose she's still the same
old Jessie, running the house. boSsing
US TO her hearts content. | hope she
won't get II into her head. as she
used to, scoldiDg IL l don't shave Just
so often and cumbing my hair so"
That's because she is like me-
thinks you're very good looking man
and ought to keep So" remarked Mrs.
/ Dexter with an indulgent smile.
Il can't get out of lounging about in
. slippers evenings" asserted her hus-
band. ITS pretty comfortable, too,
when Its warm, to sit in my shirt
| sleeves.
"Oh! let the child have her will. II
! she insists on some brushing up"
/ laughed Mrs. Dexter. "She enioys
having her own way, you know"
1t was the same brisk, animated
Jessie Of old who SmOthered her dear
ones with kisses and caresses the fol-
lowing day, upon her arrival. She had
| so much TO tell of her new life that
/ she babbled necessarily. Her father
was glad 70 realize that she took
things as they were, and enjoyed his
! customary, somewhat slovenly comfort
with a happy soul. The second even
ing OF her visit, however, while her
mother was over at neighbours,
Jessie sat down beside him. a card
In her hand. a probing CLEAN in her
observant eyes.
I'm going 10 give you a lecture.
father" she announced, 80 get ready
to pay attention. You need perking
up, and I'm going TO help you. I've
made a list Of some things you need
and have got to do"
whats the ideaT questioned her
father apprehensively.
Just this, you're getting into bad
habits. Anyone would think you was
seventy, or sixty at the least, the way
you go around. when you are really
young man and ought to keep looking
like one, and set a good example for
others. l see one OF your stockings
slipped down. Well, we won't mind
that, for I'm going to buy you a pair
OF g0rters tomorrow. And some
gloves and eyeglasses.
Don't scOld, Jessie" pleaded her
father. Mother makes me comfort.
able, and l like It. and reckon she
does too, and outside Of yourself and
her what do care what people expect
or Think
yes, mother has spoiled you" per
sisted Jessie. land I'm going TO change
all that. We both want to be proud
of you, as well as love you. Don't
spoil your life by getting into a care
less nut. Spruce up. and make the
world respect you"
Submissively John Dexter allowed
himself TO be led as a lamb to the
sacrifice. Two morning later she sent
him TO business, clean shaven, with a
new hair cut, gartered, provided with
snowy white linen and a pair Of gold
eyeglasses. Mr. Dexter grumbled a
trihe to himself as he got out Of sight.
A little later, however when he no
ticed that his business associates be-
slowed approving glanCes upon him, he
assumed a new born dignity that fitted
him very well.
1--WE reformed him." Wanted Jessie
the day of her departure. Now,
father Dexter" lifting warning
finger, "rm coming here again In July
and If find you've got back again into
the dismal swamp of slOvenliness, I
shall bring you up with a sharp turn"
I'm missing some things" spoke Mr..
Dexter to his wife the next morning,
coming down stairs in his bath robe
"Where's those new toys Jessie made
me wearp
"They are packed away, dear" ex-
planned Mrs. Dexter. you dear old
soull I haven't the heart 10 spoil
your comfort by doing anything that
don't suit you. AS long as you are
comfortable and happy, and I can
make you so, what does the rest mat
ter"
"And you don't care IL I get back to
the old duds?"
81 won't say that, John, for 1t has
given me a real thrill of pleasure and
pride to see you look so we'll as you
do, carefully grOomed. but
"Say." burst forth her husband,
"you care for me so much as all that
to make any sacrifice so I'm cOntented7
Well, 1 shall just carry out our Jessie's
program to the letter. Why, the fell
lows at the office complimented me
As II 1 had grown young again. Get
out the instruments of torture" order
cd Mr.. Dexter vainglOriously. "IIl
yet a new suit and take you to the
show tonight, and well mix in with
A. u.bn roolIy live ltGo