Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1921-04-14
THE SUIT CASES
BY MARION E. LEIGHTON.
% 1000 % % 900 o0e

Bessie flung an old waist on the lit
tie pile of cast-off clothing in the open
suit case, jammed the bunch down
savagely, snapped the cover shut and
INDUCED in a discontinued monologue
while she tested the weight of it,
II may be foolish; l probably am,
but | don't care. I'm going to have
one day off and go somewhere-like
other folks. You're not heavy enough"
to the rather battered suit case
II want you to feel as if were going
somewhere for a months vacation"
She put the case down again and
threw in an old sofa pillow. Bessie
was doing her packing in the attic.
She continued the one-sided argument
II don't care! Fay and Laura go
to places and have pretty clothes and
meet nice people," punching the pill
low viciously, land l stay home and
cook and scrub for them"-mOre punch.
ing-"and get found fault with if
| scorch the biscuits or get too much
starch in their white waists-and ev-
erything! I'm going for an outing
and make believe it's a vacation al
the seashore or some place. Fay and
Laura can get their own dinner for
once"
UncOnsciously Bessie was stating a
deplOrahle fact that had long been Q
subject Of heated discussion among
the neighbors.
'Why did Bessie-sweet little BeS
Sie-drudge for her frivolous and
thOughtless sisters and receive hardly
a kind word of thanks? Why didn't
she rebel"
And now Bessie had rebelled-a SORT
Of mild little rebellion, truly-but il
might lead to better things.
Thoughtful and kind-hearted, eveE
in state of rebellion, Bessie left Il
note for her sisters telling them there
was plenty of food cooked and assur
ing them she would be home that eve
ming. Not a word Of discomfort ap
peared in the note.
Then, with whimsical little smile
she labelled her suit case with her
name and address and took her scanty
savings from the jar in the kitchen
cabinet. When counted the grand to
tai was one dollar and seventy-thret
cents.
With another little smile she peck
eted the money, picked up her sui
case and took a suburban car f0i
1.-THE Lake"
She spent one delightful day watch
ing the motor boats and listening t.
the gentle tapping of the little waves
then at dusk boarded the car TO
home.
The only vacant seat was near the
rear door and Bessie placed her sui
case in the space between her sea
and the next and prepared to eniO.
the ride across country.
At stop beside the highway /;
young man swung aboard with suit
case. very much like Bessie's and il
a very pleasant voce-Bessie though
II very, very pleaSant-asked the con
ductor if he could make the 9:15 traii
West. Being assured that he coulC
the young man dropped his suit cas-
beside Bessie's and hung to a strap.
Car broke down." she heard hin
tell the conductor-'take the chauffeur
an hour to fix it and I've got to make
that train"
Bessie furtively watched and ad |
mired him during the short Journey t. |
town and when he seized the sui |
case and rushed for the train, which |
was already in when they arrived |
she hreathed a sigh of regret.
Tired, but happy, she trudged home
ward. to answer the questions of hel
amazed and indignant sisters. and lis
ten TO what reproaches might bt
thrown in for seasoning.
The suit case reposed in the attic
and Bessie lay long time
and thought Of her wonderful day. g,
II don't care" she finally murmureC
sleepily ut was great way to breal
the monotony"
One month later the door bell ran!
and there stood the pleasant-lookin.
young man with Bessies suit case
There was nothing for poor, confused
Bessie to do but invite him in while
she reSurrected his own case from Tho
attic, and that gave her time to re
gain some of her lost cOmposure ant
realize that she must explain the sof;
pillow and cast-off clothing.
His hearty laughter put her more
at ease and he stayed a few minute
chatting.
TT was my own fault" he sale
while taking his leave, but it reall!
caused me lot of trouble and thinl
you owe me something. I'm comm.
around with my roadster this evenin:
and take you for ride in the fresl
air. viii you go?"
Bessie Woodland did. Not onll
that evening. but many others as well
Then one day the young man tolt
Bessie's sisters they would have tt
look for another housekeeper as HI,
had spoken for Bessie himself.
Now Bessie doesn't have to make
believe and that old suit case is still
packed with old clothes and sof:
pillow. Fred tells his wife he wouldn'
throw ii away for the world, for l.
also helped Ito break the monotony'