The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-07-09
NEW-FANGLED
BY GERTRUDE ARMSTRONG
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Co. 1920. W Mcclure Newspaper SyndicAteJ
mo, Marthy. there hain't going to
be no telephone. Got something else
to spend my money for. Just cause
Sarah and Fred has got such new
tangled notions into their heads, sup
pose you goLl0 have the same. We've
lived here All these years, and my
folks before me, and never had any
of these fool IDEAS until your sister
started. Guess youll be wanting an
automobile next"
"Well, never mind" replied his wife
meekly. Il Just thought 'twonld be
Kind of handy in case of sickness, llv-
Ing mile from our neighbors, and
get lonesome sometimes, and could
talk to SARAH
Her husband made no reply, but
went about the evening chores. Twas
SO unlike Marthy 70 ask him 10 waste
money On anything so foolish. Handy,
indeed! There was old Molly when
ever she wanted to visit and to run
into town. who would take her in less
than an hour.
She SO seldom asked for anything
or complained that his conscience both
cred him little, and the look of dis
appointment on her face he found
hard to get out of his thoughts.
Never mind, some time soon, when
he got his work along they would go
into town for Il holiday. She had been
working pretty hard lately and prob
ably needed change.
And thus. like most of us. he s0othed
his conscience with promises of bet
ter doing in the future.
When he returned to the house Mar
thy was just finishing her dishes.
Il guess I'll go right to bed, John"
she said 81 don't feel very smart to-
night
"Well, l would" he replied, looking
at her keenly And take something
hot fol that cold. | don't Ike the way
il 5 hanging on. Been this way now
for most week" And he kissed her
and patted her kindly.
1t was two hours later when he
opened their bedroom door. He tip
toed softly TO the bed, where she lay,
open-eyed and apparently awake.
Looks like a storm" said John, and
he crossed the room and carefully
closed the window, muttering as he
did so, More new-fangled notions"
There was no response from the
he'd. What was the matter? Twas
not at all like sweet-tempered Marthy
to hold d grudge. He bent over her
and then started back. The staring
eyes and burning face did not look IA
mliar.
"Go and see if David is covered,
John. It's chilly toRght," she gaspcd.
David! Their boy who had been
dead five years. Then it burst upon
him--she was delirious. What should
he do?
Get doctor, Of course. If he could
only get word to Sarah And his heart
sank as he thought of the precious
time he would waste driving all those
miles.
"Oh, Cod! what would | give for a
telephone burst from his agonzed
lips.
He rushed out to the stable for old
Molly, backed her from her stall, and
/ harnessed His hands seemed palSed
/ It was ages before he got started
| Driving with all speed he came in sighl
/ of Sarnh's. They were up; he could
see the CLEAN of lights through the
trees. Five minutes more and Win
bursting heart he rushed in and told
them his errand.
What was there for him in life, any
way, if she was unhappy?
She who had helped him save day
| by day, never complaining always
cheerful-when she had asked for
part of what was really hers she had
been refused. he calling it a waste Of
money. when but for just such new
tangled notion" he would have lost the
best little partner man ever had.
Many weeks after handsome little
runahout drove into the yard, from
which alighted three men, carrying
wires and tools.
Here's your auto, Mr.. Cobb. The
telephone men were coming out this
way so drove them over. If there
is anything wrong let us know. Be
over again by night. SO long"
"Why, John, what does this meanY
asked Marthy, when the men had start
ed to work downstairs.
ut means that the men have been
working for some time, and you're
a-gong to have that telephone, and II
you don't like this here machine you're
a-going to have another one and Pick
ii out yourself. They might be Now
tangled notions but they're darn d
good ones to have around a house
And Marthy smiled and thanked him
ms only she knew how