Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-02-04
MARY'S .
BOARDER
BY LINCOLN ROTHBLUM


Or busy department store without even
4 subconsciOus second thought. But
with her name and appearance ended
Mary's plainness. Respiendent as
flaming torch, her character Of sacri-
icing unselfishness shone forth.
Mary's mother. having set for her
daughter the example, had quietly
gone to her last rest; quite as calmly
and meekly as she had served her
husband and four sons during the
five and twenty years past. Here
had, indeed, been "A service unher-
aided and unacclaned. Mary as
sumed the role thus vacated without
murmur or thought Of protest and in
equally silent fashion the head Of the
household and its four male heirs
took for granted that II was proper
and fitting for Mary to serve and
meet their wants; took it for granted
with customary masculine complac-
ency.
And SO. when rising costs and re-
stricted earnings necessitated the ad-
.litiOnal income that could be derived
|
liable Of complaint that her work would
be thus increased.
1t was one of those hot nights in
July when even the setting Of the sun
seemed to bring no surcease from the
torrid humidity Of the day. From the
stove. steaming with the evenings sup
per, Mary turned par-boiled counte-
ha oh wit
open and her father entered with the
''boarder," who. as he timidly follow
ed into the room, gingerly deposited
bis very new valise close to the door.
as If to have it Immediately ready
should the course of events deem
hasty departure expedient.
Mary's father hung his hat and coat
on nearby hook, reached for his
smOke-blackened meerschaum from the
shelf above the sink, cleared his throat
and said by way Of Introduction:
MARY, this is the boarder." Then
he trudged from the room, leaving
murky traces Of mortar across the
floor TO testify to his profession.
Mary encouraged the fire with an
other block of wood and aggravated
the pot of stew by vigorous stirring,
which filled the kitchen with pillows
of steam.
This way is your ROOM" she mo-
notonously droned, and reached to
pick up the valse. The man looked
his surprise at the action and inter-
| cepted her movement to carry the
cumbersome baggage. Physical and
mental relief that the effort was de-
MED her demanded no attempt to un-
derstand the reason, and, followed by
the boarder, she started up the stairs
-rickety and squeaking their CON-
plant of every step placed upon the
age-worn framework.
She threw open the door leading
into n small and cleanly-furnished
bedroom. and, after informing him
that the quarters. however close.
would be shared with the youngest
member of the family. declared: Sup
pers at six when they're all here"
Evidently that night they were "all
here" but supper proved itself to be
n dreary affair." nllvened only by
Mary's constant trips between table
and stove for additional quantities of
| foods. which We're MS hastily con-
| sumed as served The hoarder ate
sparngly and watched Mary avldi-
| ously As the meal was concluded in
record time and the father and broth
ers walked out onto the miniature
piazza. where the air. however heavy,
was less sitting than the kitchen at
mosphere, the boarder unnoticed, re-
manned seated ut the table and watch
ed, With sympathetic interest, the
| process of its being cleared.
"Don't you eat any supper?" he
finally permitted himself to ask as he
witnessed the deposit of the dishes
into pans provided for their cleansing.
| Mary looked up, startled at being
addressed. "Why-er-why- she
stammered. I'm generally little
tired to eat" She turned back to her
work. aud as she attempted to lift the
she sazed with incredulous amaze
ment upon the boarder as he perform
ed the heavy task for her. His ques-
ton followed on the heels of his ac-
tion.
May l help with the dishes?" And
quite before Mary had time to think
what to answer, the boarder was wip-
ing and polishing the cups and plates
AS fast as she could wash and rinse
them. In silence they worked, and
the sun had not yet dropped out Of
sight when the kitchen was set In or
Ter for the night.
Don't the boys help you as ruler"
he asked.
Il sort of don't expect them to-"
came the tardy response. half apollo
getically. Mary had not realized how
tired she was, and "A soft and swift
THANK you" preceded her hasty flight
from the room as she ran to the lone
ly alcove which served in lieu of a
bedroom to try and think out this most
unusual conduct of a representative
of the sex called ..men." AS she fell
asleep she decided that she thought
him mice"
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