The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-10-21

west in 1865, we should have elected
him Governor, at least: there is not
in the west a former Colonel occupy
ing so humble position as town
clerk.
In order that these rambling notes
may be better understood perhaps
should say here that my host was H
E Parker, of Bradford, Vermont. He
met US at Albany, New York, with
his daughter, Miss Sara Parker, and
his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and
Mrs Charles Parker, all of whom we
have known three winters in Florida.
Charles drove a new and powerful
Winton limousine, and did so well
that | heard no complaint whatever
from the back seat. From Albany,
we drove in two or three hours to
Bennington, Vermont, and thereafter
rambled about for week, ending
the delightful journey at Boston.
H E Parker is almost exactly my
age, and / was a good deal interest
ed in his relations with members of
his family. How much satisfaction
does he give? To answer my own
question, l should say his average is
high: | recall that he was famous in
Miami, Florida, last winter as hav-
ing brought more kin with him than
any other visitor.
And while | was noting his attitude
toward his relatives, perhaps | was
thinking more: "What do my rela-
tives think of me Am l reasonable,
or am l difficult to manage ? What
do they say behind my back ?"
1t is a question in which all elder
w men are greatly interested; and
the middle-aged might also consider
it with profit.
And, speaking of kin, perhaps even
young people might again look over
their plain Of bringing up father,
in the hope of finding a possible de-
feet.
l am not afraid of my sons; l
should talk back to them, on occa-
sion, with great freedom. Mr. Par
ker talks back to Charles, but |
thought | observed the same timid-
ity in his Manners when with his
women folks, than l feel when with
mine.
The Parker ladies are quiet; that
is the kind the men fear most.
For a few days we made head
quarters in Bradford, and Miss Sara
Parker had us on her hands: as we
approached Bradford observed the
look of worry increase on her face.
But finally we made headquarters
at Montpelier, where Charles Parker
lives, and as we approached that
town, it seemed to me | could see
worry disappear from Miss Parker's
face, and appear on the face of Mrs
Charles Parker.
Say what you will entertaining
company is a task. Our American
women do it exceedingly we'll; l
shall never feel content until we pay
back the Parkers, and l am com
PEELED to sleep in the attic on
quilt
| think Charles Parker and his
wife are a little afraid of their cook.
We left Bradford for Montpelier in
the morning, and were to reach their
house for lunch at l p. M; that had
apparently been arranged by long
distance telephone. And how anxious
Charles and his wife were to be in
Montpelier at l p. m. How rapidly
Charles drove, and how dexterously
Mrs Charles shortened the stops at
various places of interest.
That evening the young people
went to a theatre, leaving the elder
" men on the porch, where they
decided what the Russians, Sam
Gompers, President Harding, Lloyd
George, the women, etc, should do.
When we finally settled world affairs
we easily accomplished it by 10 p.
m.-and Mr. Parker showed me to my
room, we found the bed a modern
work of art. 1t was dressed as in
tricately as a woman, and had to be
undressed. Then Mr. Parker grumbled
a little about modern notions Of
women, and l sympathized; but there
were no women present who believed
in such things.
| recall an elaborate bolster on
my bed, which looked a little like
the forms over which women do
dressmaking, and which we stood on
end in the bathroom. There were
no pillows, and Mr. Parker boldly
said he would get them off his