The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-05-07
SWIFT REFORM
BY oTILLIA F. PFEIFFER

She had been out West with her hus,
pahd and would visit for only a week
but even that was treasured anticl.
pared boon to John Dexter and his
wife.
Just think of 1t, father, to see the
uear girl again y 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 all to ourselves under the
Old home roof"
Shell be welcome as the flowers in
spring, mother" acclaimed John Dex.
ter. Il suppose she's stll the same
ola Jessie, running the house, bossng
us to her hearts content. l hone she
won't get 1t into her head, as she
used to, scoldlng if I don't shave lust
so often and combing my hair sol"
Ihats because she is like me-
thinks you're very good looking man
ana ought to Keep So" remarked Mrs.
Dexter with an indulgent smile.
Il can't get out Of lounging about in
sippers evenings" asserted her hus
band. TITS pretty comfortable, too
when Its warm, to sit in my shirt
sleeves.
"Oh let the child have her will, If
she Insists on some brushing up."
laughed Mrs. Dexter. "She enjoys
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 to realize that she took
things as they We're, and enjoyed his
customary, somewhat slovenly comfort
with a happy soul. The second even
Ing of her VISIT however, while her
mother was cber at neighbor's.
Jessie sat down beside him, card
IN her hand, probing CLEAN in her
observant eyes.
I'm going to give you a lecture,
rather" she announced, 80 get ready |
to pay attention. You need perking
up, and I'm going to help you. I've
made list Of some things you need
and have got to do"
whats the idea?" 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
ike one, and set a good example for
others. 1 see one Of your stockings
slipped down. Well, we won't mind
hat, for I'm going to buy you a pair
II galters tomorrow. And some
cloves and eyeglasses.
Don't scold, Jessie" pleaded her
ather. "Mother makes me comfort
lble, and like it, and l reckon she
loes too, and outside of yourself and
Ter what do l care what people expect
II think?"
Eyes, mother has spoiled you" per-
listed Jessie, "and I'm going to change
ii that. We both want to be proud
f you, as well as love you. Don't
poll your life by getting into a care
ass rut. Spruce up, and make the
rorld respect you"
Submissively John Dexter allowed
imself to be led as a lamb to the
acrifice. Two morning later she sent
i'm to business, clean shaven, with n
ew hair cut, gartered, provided with
nowy white linen and a pair of gold
yeglasses. Mr.. Dexter grumbed a
rife to himself as he got out of sight.
little later, however, when he no.
ced that his business associates be-
towed approving glances upon him, he
ssumed q new born dignity that fitted
i'm very well.
"Ive reformed himr' vaunted Jessie
he day of her departure. "Now,
lther Dexter" lifting a warning
nger, "Tm coming here again in July
nd if find you've got back again into t
le dismal swamp of slovenliness, / c
lall bring you up with sharp turn" /
"I'm missing some things" spoke Mr.. c
exter to his wife the next morning, q
)ming down stairs in his bath robe.
Where's those new togs Jessie made
e wear?"
"They are packed away, dear" ex-
aimed Mrs. Dexter. "You dear old {
,ul 1 haven't the heart to spoil
)ur comfort by doing anything that
mt suit you. AS long as you are
and happy, and I can
axe you so, what does the rest mat
n"
"And you don't care if get back to
lie old duds?" e
81 won't say that, John, for it has !,
ven me a real thrill of pleasure and i
'ide TO see you look so well as you n
}, carefully groomed, but q
"Say," burst forth her husband, II
-ou care for me so much as all that a
make any sacrifice so I'm contented? y
ell, shall just carry out our Jessie's !.
ogram to the letter. Why, the fell .
ws at the office comnlimented me n
if l had grown young again. Get {
it the instruments of torture" order u
Mr. Dexter vaingloriously. "Ill S
t a new suit and take you to the b
ow tonight, and Wen mix in with Z
e people who really live, just like q
NJ on1 Qirl