The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-01-06

Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union)
Jessie was coming to the old home
Jessie the sparkle, Jessie the fash.
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 it, father, to see the
dear girl again" spoke Mrs. Dexter
with motherly tenderness. "Of course
h has written every week and l 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. :" suppose she's still the same
old Jessie, running the house, bOssing
us to her hearts content. I hope she
won't get it into her head, as she
used to, scolding if l don't shave just
so often and combing my hair soW
That's because she is like me-
thinks you're a very good looking man
and ought to keep So" remarked Mrs.
Dexter with an indulgent smile.
Il can't get out of lounging about in
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 ON 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 a happy soul. The second even
ing Of her visit, however, while her
mother was over at a neighbours,
Jessie sat down beside him, a card
in her hand, a probing CLEAN In her
%observant eyes.
I'm going to give you a lecture,
father she announced, 80 get ready
to pay attention. You need perking
up, and I'm going to help you. I've
made a list Of some things you need
and have got to do"
whats the idea?" questioned her
father apprehensively.
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 q
young man and ought to keep looking
like one, and set a good example for
others. I see one Of your stockings
slipped down. Well, we won't mind
that, for I'm going to buy you a pair
of carriers tomorrow. And some
gloves and eyeglasses.
Don't scold, JESSIE" pleaded her
father. Mother makes me comfort
able, and I like it, and l reckon she
does too, and outside of yourself and
her what do I care what people expect
or thinkT"
eyes, mother has spoiled you," per-
sisted Jessie. land I'm going to change
all that. We both want to be proud
of you, as we'll as love you. Don't
spoil your life by getting into a care
less rut. Spruce up, and make the
world respect you"
Submissively John Dexter allowed
himself to be led as a lamb to the
sacrifice. Two morning later she sent
him to business, clean shaven, with a
new hair cut, gartered, provided with
snowy white linen and a pair of gold
eyeglasses. Mr.. Dexter grumbled a
trife to himself as he got out Of sight.
A little later, however, when he no
ticed that his business associates be-
slowed approving glances upon him, he
assumed a new born dignity that fitted
him very well.
"Tve reformed him !" Wanted Jessie
the day Of her departure. snow,
father Dexter" lifting a warning
finger, "Tm coming here again In July
and If I find you've got back again into
the dismal swamp Of slovenliness, I
shall bring you up with a sharp turn"
"Tm 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?"
"They are packed away, DEAR" ex.
planned Mrs. Dexter. "You dear old
soul! 1 haven't the heart to spoil
your comfort by doing anything that
don't suit you. AS long as you are
comfortable and happy, and I can
make you 80, what does the rest mat
ter"
"And you don't are If I get back to
the old duds"
II won't say that, John, for it has
given me a real thrill Of pleasure and
pride to e you look so well as you
do, carefully groomed, but
"Say," burst forth her husband,
"you art for me SO much as all that
to make any sacrifice so I'm contented?
Well, I shall just carry out our Jessie's