The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-06-08
SWIFT REFORM
BY OTILLIA r. PFElFFER
tCopyright. 1920. western Newspaper unio

She had been out West with her huS- |
band and would visit for only a week.
but even that was a treasured antici-
pated boon to John Dexter and his
wife.
"Just think Of 1t, father, to see the
dear girl again!" spoke Mrs. Dexter
with motherly tenderness. "Of course i
she has written every week and have
kept up her letters, but that isn't like I
having her all to ourselves under the
old home roof"
She'll be welcome as the flowers In |
spring. mother" acclaimed John Dex-
ter. Il suppose she's still the same |
old Jessie. running the house, bossing |
us to her hearts content. / hope she |
won't get 1t into her head, as she |
used to. scolding if l don't shave just |
so often and combing my hair sol"
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 I'm
slippers 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 were, and enjoyed his
customary, somewhat slovenly comfort
| with happy soul. The second even
Ing Of her visit, however, while her
mother was over at a neighbours,
Jessie sat down beside him, card
in her hand, probing CLEAN in her
observant eyes.
"I'm going TO give you a lecture.
father" she announced, $50 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"
i whats the ideaT" questioned her
father apprehensively.
Il "Just this. you're getting into bad
i habits. Anyone would think you was
seventy, or sixty at the least, the way
; you go around. when you are really o
young man and ought to keep looking
like one, and set good example for
others. / see one Of your stockings
II slipped down. Well. we won't mind
that, for I'm going to buy you a pair
OF garters tomorrow. And some
gloves and eyeglasses.
Don't scold, JESSIE" pleaded hel
father. Mother makes me comfort
able. and like II, and ! reckon sh,
bi does too. and outside of yourself ant
al her what do care what people expec
Y or think?'
T "Yes, mother has spoiled you," per
sisted Jessie. "and I'm going to chang
: all that. We both want to be prout
of you, as well as love you. Dom
4 spoil your life by getting into q care
d less rut. Spruce up, and make tn
t world respect YOU"
=, Submissively John Dexter Above,
n himself to be led as lamb to tn
y sacrifice. Two morning later she sen
- him to business, clean shaven, with
r. new hair cut. gartered, provided wit
t snowy white linen and pair of gol
stl eyeglasses Mr.. Dexter grumbled
-ol trifle to himself as he got out of sigh
lgI A little later. however, when he ne
ticed that his business associates bt
le slowed approving glances upon him,
e assumed new born dignity that fitte
~ him very well.
ID "I've reformed him u vaunted Jessl
D. the day of her departure. "Nov
TX father Dexter" lifting warnin
finger, I'm coming here again in Jul
e, and If find you've got back again int
er the dismal swamp of slovenliness,
;" shall bring you up with sharp turn
- I'm missing some things" spoke NJ
% Dexter to his wife the next mornin
Nv coming down stairs In his bath rob
IF, "Where's those new toys Jessie mae
Id me wear?"
III "They are packed away, DEAR" e
~ planned Mrs. Dexter. "You dear O
soul haven't the heart to spC
Sc your comfort by doing anything tn
10. don't suit you. AS long as you a
comfortable and happy. and I c,
IRE make you so. what does the rest ma
re- ter"
by "And you don't care If get back
' VI the old duds?"
nd 81 won't say that. John, for it h
ion given me real thrill of pleasure al
de- pride to see you look SO well as "
ley do, carefully groomed, but
ley "Say," burst forth her husbar
"you care for me SO much as all that
nv, to make any sacrifice so I'm eontente
Well. I shall just carry out our Jessi
the program to the letter. Why, the f
lief, lows at the office complimented l
Dur rs il had grown young again. C
mad )ut the instruments of TORTURE" ord
ere I'd Mr.. Dexter vaingloriously. %
:, ret new suit and take you to I