The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1920-09-10
LEAVE 1T TO Wife
by GRACE O. wEArHERsY.

NSS<SVSSSSSF<9ySS<f
20 1920 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
1t was unusually silent at the Merri.
well breakfast table that sunny morn.
Ing, Jimmy, ST., neglected the golden
brown pancakes and gave his undivid.
ed attention to the morning paper
/ Mother Merriwel sat motiOnless, her
eyes fixed on Jimmy, Sr's face, while
Jimmy, Jr., dabbled unheeded in his
oatmeal.
What is the matter with you this
morning, Jim?" asked his wife. "You
haven't eaten thing; Anything
wrong with the breakfast?"
A"No!--yesl Everything In wrong !"
snapped her husband. Jim never had
spoken to his wife in that tone be-
fore.
Jim What ON earth are you talk
! ing aboutr'
Standing beside her chair, his face
white, his hands shaking. he pointed
an accusing finger at her.
You're the reason! How can get
anywhere In this world when, instead
helping. you deliberately hinder7"
Nan sat very still. her eyes big with
wonder. He went on.
Here / am, a young man, with a
reasonable amount of brains, trying to
get along In my work. to make sue
cess Of myself, and how can / when
my wife insists on wearing house
aprons from morning till night? 9th
er mems wives wear trim, stylish
clothes. and look nice, but you :"
He broke on and paced the floor.
He went into the hall and strug-
gied into his overcoat, and then came
back.
sy"You know about that proposition
II get that chance it will mean a sub
stantial raise, but can't do it alone.
A nice wife, you are!"
All that morning. Nan was quiet,
trying to think Of some way to ap-
pease her husband. Lunch time near,
she prepared some waffle batter. Then
the bell rang, and to her establishment
her husband and a stout, elderly man
stood at the door.
This is Mr.. Cimrleson, Nan. Mr..
Charleson, meet my wife" Mr..
Charleson was president of Jim's COM
pany, and 1t was he who would deter
mine who would get the Fatirview con-
tract. She led them into the CHEEKY
living room, where Jimmy Jr., sat on
the floor in the sun. playing
Mr.. Charleson and were over to
Fairview, and as it was lunch time.
we thought we'd come here" Jim
avoided his wife's eyes, but Nan rose
to the occasion.
Il am sure am very glad to have
you, Mr.. CharlesOn. If You will ex-
cuse me, I'll get lunch"
When they entered the dining room.
Jim shot her a look of reproach as he
viewed the table. but Mr.. Charleson
was very 1ovial, and sc ION he and Nan
were chatting like old friends. To
inns disgust, the topics were baby
and cooking.
May / have more 50 lad. Mrs. Merri-
weli?" asked the visit Or. IT'S a long
time since I've taste d anything so
good"
de reached for apSrther waffle.
remember VIII Ell / was boy,
down In Louisiana, every Wednesday
was waffle day end how used to
look forward to IT.. We ate them by
the dozefls."
Eor DESSERT, there were big, sugary
doug6puts that Man had made that
morntag. Mr.. Oh arleson leaned back
and smiled at Ne n.
you're fine cook, Mrs. MerriwelI.
and I'm going to- send my wife over to
see sou and yet your recipe for dough-
nuts"
When they ,hasl gone. Nan dropped
YEARLY into a chair and cried. Jim
my, Jr., tod' Ned over to her and she
caught him An her arms.
"Oh. baby, I'm afraid we've Queered
everything. Jim was so angry"
An hour earlier than usual, Jim
burst in, ret,klessly slamming the door,
caught his wife and swung her clear
Off the floor, covering her face with
kisses.
on, Mamie, girl, you did 1t! I've
got III! And he twlrled her around
again. s
About ten o'clock Mr.. Charleson
called me into his office and said he
was going to Fairview, and wanted
me to go along. Well. we went, and
he discussed the whole thing with me,
and took notes. About twelve o'clock
he said: