The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1922-07-07
Mrs. Enfeld's
Man
Copyright. 1929. Weatsrn Newspaper Unio

,
Copyright. 1921. Westsrn Newspaper Union
"Free?" asked Mrs. Enfield tartly
Believe me-, Mrs. Reames. I neve,
knew what freedom meant before
All my life I've worked for men
first for my old father, who was a
regular tyrant, and then for Jim En-
field.
"Why, l couldn't cali my soul my
w so long as that man was in The
house. 1t was cooking land cleaning,
and darning his sOcks-he was as
helpless as a baby, for all his vicious
ness-and cross words all the tune.
And then he went and left me-"
You poor thing" said her visitor.
but that's what we women have to
put up with"
HE left me-" sObbed Mrs. Enfield.
! "and that poor child there"-she
pointed to her daughter Gladys. aged
ffteen-"and wrote a letter saying he
was tired Of my tOngue-lashing, and
was never coming back. Me that had
shaved for him! Me that couldn't
call my soul my own while he was In
the house !"
Il suppose there's no danger Of his
ever coming back after all these
months, is thereT" asked the visitor.
Mrs. Enfeld's voice rose into q
shrill scream. "COme back? Well,
I'd just like to see him try I'll she
answered. I'D give him q tongue
flashing. as he had the impudence to
call 1t I'd let him know whether he
could treat us that way or not, 60
ing off and abandoning us. and leav-
ing me to work for our living"
Suppose he came back rich 2" sug-
gested the other.
"Rich? Jim Enfield rich? That
man couldn't save a penny even If he
was man enough to get q jobl But
II it was to happen. I'd throw his
money In his face. Never shall Jim
Enfield set foot inside my doors again,
rich or poorr"
THAT'S the way to talk, ma" said
Gladys. "We're better off without q
great hulking man to support"
"YOu hold your tongue, Glad" IN
swered her mother sharply. ITS
quite true what you say, but 1t amt
for you to abuse your father"
Gladys tossed her head.
"Anyway,Tw when l see what he's
done to you, ma. capturing your young
love and then wrecking it, it makes
me feel sOre," she answered.
= III - -- IT.
field knew that there were times when
she missed the presence Of a man in.
the house. AS a husband, Jim En-
field had been beneath contempt. but
as a man he had his virtues. He
could drive in nails and hammer
things; he could fix taps and do odd
Jobs.
But Jim Enfield should never enter
her home again. Not If he crawled #;
in dying on his Bonded knees, Gladys"
she said. I'm just living for the day
when he comes back. TOngue-iashing?
Huh! !" /
A few days later. when Mrs. En-
field was preparing supper. Gladys
in. wild with excitement.
"What d'yOu think, ma she asked.
Fathers been seen In town."
"HuhY' said Jane Enfield. Let
him try to conn here. that's all! Glad.
If he tries to force his way in, you
for the policeman. And I'll"
she looked about her and snatched up
a rolling-pin. 81 guess I'm woman
to hand him what he de-
serves" she said.
Suddenly rather uncertain footsteps
heard outside. They looked at
,ne another and shivered. And then
there came a tapping at the kitchen
1oor. After a few moments Of hesita-
ion Gladys went and opened 1t.
Jim Enfield came In. He wore a
very shabby suit of clothes, a battered
lat was on the back Of his head. and
,e glanced rather sheepishly from his
wife to his daughter.
Then he advanced slowly and IN
certainly. glancing askance at the
'olling-p In Jane Enfield's hand. and
brew himself into a chair.
swell, here we are again! !" he said.
Had a mighty rough time, Jane, old
,irlI Been on the tramp six weeks
ince l lost my last Job, and nearly
lead. Guess I'll have to lay up for
spell before starting out to look
or a Job again. ~e&-~s~as,,x~.
"Hello, Glad! How's the school
oming along2 My, you're growing
a big girl now, amt you? Come
nd give your daddy a kiss"
Gladys, advancing as If hypnotized,
uddenly flung her arms around her
neck and imprinted a nj
ession of fervid kisses on his cheeks. ,
hen she drew back and looked at her
swell? What are you staring at me
Ike that for?" demanded Jane En-
ED. Hurry out to the corner store
nd get some ham for your father.
nd get a lettuce and a bottle Of
ickles-the kind he likes. You ought
, know If any one does. Jim, I'll
IN uDcfairo qp6 fly thin pc nm q hfk