The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-06-04

SWIFT REFORM
By OTILLIA F. PFEIFFER

She had been out West with her hus.
band and would visit for only week.
but even that was a treasured antici.
pated boon to John Dexter and his
wife,.
Just think of it, Rather, to 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 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 still the same
OLD Jessie, running the house, bossina
us ~ her hearts content l hope she
won't get it into her head, as she
used to, scolding if I don't shave Just
SO often and combing my hair so!''
That's because she is like me-
thlnks 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 ir
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 enjoys
having her own way, you know"
1t was the same brisk, animated
Jessie Of old who smothered her dea,
F 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 comfor,
with happy soul. The second even
Ing of her visit, however, while hel
mother was over at neighbor's
Jessie sat down beside him, a care
In her hand, probing CLEAN in hel
observant eyes.
I'm going to give you lecture
rather" she announced, 80 get read,
to pay attention. You need perkine
up. and I'm going to help you. I've
made a list Of some things you nee6
and have got to do"
Whats the idea?' questioned hel
father apprehensively. Il
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 good example for
others. see one of your stockings
slipped down. Well. we won't mind
that I'm going to buy you pail
II gtsNss tomorrow. And some
gloves aid eyeglasses.
Don't scold, JESSIE" pleaded her
father. Mother makes me comfort
able and like it, and I reckon she
does too. and outside Of yourself ant
her what do care what people expect
or think?"
Eyes. mother has spoiled you," per
sisted Jessie. "and 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 rut. Spruce up. and make the
"OIlu TeSpect you.
Submissively John Dexter allowed
himself to be led as a lamb to the
sacrifice. Two morning later she sent
him to business, clean shaver, with
new hair cut, gartered, provided with
snowy white linen and a pair Of gold
eyeglasses. Mr.: Dexter grumbled
trif1e to himself as he got out Of sight
A little later, however, when he no
, ticed that his business associates he
slowed approving glances upon him h,
assumed new born dignity that fitted
him vero. well.
"Tve reformed him" vaunt~d Jessie
the day Of her departure "Now
father Dexter" lifting WARNING
finger, I'm coming here again in July
and If find you've got back again into
the dismal swamp of slovenllness, ]
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- wear?"
AfsCy uiC plShcu away ucdIs OK =
planned Mrs. Dexter. "You dear old
soul haven't the heart to spoil
your comfort by doing anything that
don't suit you. AS long as you are
comfortable aLd happy, and ] car
make you so. what does the rest mat.
ter"
"And you don't care If get back to
the old duds?"
II won't say that. John, for It has ,
given me real thrill Of pleasure and
pride to see you look so well 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 contented;
Well, I shall just carry out our Jessie's
program to the letter. Whv, the fel. ,
lows at the office compljmented me
as If had grown young again. Gel