Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-07-15
The Cuckoo Clock
From Mother
BY DORA NOLAN
g by Mcclure Newspaper syndieat..l


With an air Of perfect contentment.
His bachelor dreams were realized
He was married at last TO Mabel
this was the first day In their own
home and they had been arranging
their wedding gifts, with delightful
Interruptions 10 explain how wonder
ful that they two had met and loved
and everything.
There is only one fly in the ONT
ment," remarked Harry Pepper. "And
that is"
Pretty Mabel hung On his words ex-
pectantly. What is it, dearestT she
asked.
"The-the cuckoo clock, honey"
''The cuckoo clock" she
stammered, "why mother gave me that
Il asked her to- love 1t, Harry :"
Tears brimmed her lovely eyes. Harry
kissed her and assured her that he,
too, had admired those impertinent re-
minders Of the fight of time, but al
ways at a distance. Il never expected
to have one in my own home" he
ended.
But you knew-you knew, Harry,
that I adore them-they are cunning"
II knew it," he admitted, but l
thought after you married me you
would not care for such an absurdity.
You see, darling. I'm tired at night
after a nerve-wracking day at the
Office, and then TO have a silly little
bird pop out of ambush and remind
me it's time to 20 to bed-but never
mind, I'll get used to 1t after a while"
you're an old dear" cried Mabel,
but while Harry Pepper smiled pa
dently his was no martyr spirit.
Came one morning when the neigh
borhood was rife with tales Of burg
lsries and the Smiths home had es-
capped ransacking Came another morn
ing a week later when a frightened
maid rushed upstairs and announced
that the silver spoons had disappeared
from the sideboard and that the cuckoo
clock was missing from its accustomed
place.
4 cannot feel sorry, darling" said
innocent Mr.. Pepper TO his distracted
wife; but 1 viii call up the police
station right away" and he did He
went to the city that morning with
curious feeling of satisfaction Some
discriminating burglar" he muttered.
I'd ike TO give him a tip about the
blue glass vases that Aunt Lucretia
donated-well, perhaps Norah viii
break them some day when she's dust
ing, love my home-but some Of
the wedding presents"
In the meantime Mabel Pepper had
called up her sympathetic mother and
related the story Of the burglary. i
really miss his cheerful little CALL, she
added.
Never mind, dear" comforted her
mother-"there are just as good fish
I'm the sea as ever were caught, and
there are just as charming brides as
ever sang in q cuckoo clock"
So her mother told Mabel's sad ex-
perience to great-aunt Lucretia and 10
Harry's Uncle Benjamin. who called on
her that day. In the meantime the I
police searched diligently for the mid |
night marauder.
Mr.. Harry Pepper lost his CHEEKY |
bearing. A troubled look came into
his eyes, and he made several griev-
ous mistakes In his work. Hang the
cuckoo clockl" he muttered savagely
one night after Mabel had conhded
20 him that Il was wretchedly lone
some all day there without him-and
hat the empty house seemed more
cheerful when she could hear the cum
ling little chirp Of the clock.
Hang the cuckoo clock :" he cried.
I never heard such a fuss made over
Lnything in my life"
OF course Mabel was q sensible
-oung woman, and thought OF many
,ther things, and had plenty Of amuse-
nent to distract her mind. but for the
ooment her new home was paramount
q her thoughts.
One Sunday morning, a couple OF
reeks after the burglary Mabel came
own to breakfast and found the table
ay with roses, while her chair was
capped with packages
Happy birthday, darling" said her
usband, as he slipped a pearl ring on
er finger Il must kiss you how
ANY times-sixteen7 p
Mabel told him and then began TO
pen her packages. Such large ones.
ear" she exclaimed; you must help
e."
"A cuckoo clock-from mother. Just {
ke the other one. Isn't II, dear? Do {
ing it in the old place. Harry-there." Z
She sQuealed again when she found a
at Aunt Lucretia had remembered {
n birthday with-a cuckoo clock. d
nd once more when Harry's Uncle S
snjamin's gift was unwrapped and Z
sclosed another cuckoo clock. u
Three - laughed MABEL Historically.
larry, what shall we do with themT"
"The more the merrier." said Harry
,omily. Then. TO the lowering maid n
rvant. what is Il, Norah?" a
please. Mr. Pepper. found this on z
er.I