The Dolores star., 1922-12-08
Home, Sweet
Home
By ANNE WHITFIELD

oAht, 10 spend the holiday with Mr.
Soooge's old father. They all climbed
into the crowded street car out OF the
wet street, Mrs. Goodge first, picking
up her skirt, Marjorie In her best pavy
silk poplin coat trimmed with the sill.
yer braid, and Peter with his great
parcel.
Mrs. Goodge, who hRd strap, looked
round to see II her children had seats
smile lining her long, reddish face
as she observed their success, SO that
she looked like a llama. Peter. who
was thirteen, grasped his parcel.
breathing hard, his eyes very bright.
Marjorie swung her feet under the
silver-braided coat and hoped the other
passengers were noticing II.
Mr.. Goodge caromed against his wife
as the car started with a Jerk, and
swore.
u should think you might restrain
your bad temper In the presence of
the children!" snapped Mrs. GoOdge.
This Is the last time | take you
OUT Mr.. Goodge retorted, as he
rendered "a nickel for himself and then
had to change dollar bill for the
others.
Marjorie got out OF her seat and
leaned against her mother. Dads
mad" she whispered.
"Madf" snorted Mrs. Goodge. Hes
always mad. I lament the day that
man ever came into my life"
A violent jerk sent Marjorie stag
gering against mlddle-aged lady
seated near the door. She began TO
whimper. Peter grinned across the
parcel that he was hugging. The car
pulled up. Peter was out first, and
waiting at the door OF the paternal
shop when Mr.. Goodge arrived, fol
lowed by Mrs. Goodge with her head
In the air. and Marjorie, still pee
Wish, and scuffling her feet. Mr.. Goodge
pushed past them, opened the door,
and stamped through his shop, fol-
lowed by the rest of the family.
Tiers of oranges and barrels Of
Long Island potatoes were Just visible
In the darkness as the four Goodges
felt their way into the sltting-room
at the back. Mrs. Goodge shifted to
ascertain whether there had been an
escape of gas. Mr.. Goodge lit the gas,
threw himself into the rockingham
and began angrlly tearing his boots
Off.
"a nice finish to the day!" Mrs.
GOOdge said Swearing at your wife
In carl"
Disdaining to reply, Mr.. Goodge
stumped up to bed, carrying his boots
in his hand He was soon between
the sheets. and Marjorie and Peter
were whlsked into their two cold little
beds across the hall. Mrs. Goodge fol-
lowed her husbands example, jump
Ing into bed with bounce that made
the brasswork rattle.
Marjorie, In her little iron bed with
her little nose poking out of the bed
clothes, ran over the days delights
as she fell asleep.
"What time, going up to Grand
pas on that big boat, with its fiat
ueCh anu NGlNcl-iIlINu tubiL' oi t'l'
of which we sat hope Dad takes
us again so0n!
On the other side of the wall Peter
dreamed of the noises Of the boats
engines, and fancied himself a hand
on Its intriguing wheel, guiding 1t up
the river, or else polishing up Its brass
work and saluting the very nautical
looking captain.
Darkness covered Mr.. and Mrs.
Goodge.
"Never thought the Dad would have
given us all that linen and cutlery,
remarked the little greengrocer. HIS
wife's heart melted at once as she
shared his joy In the possession OF
fish knives better than any Of her
sisters-in-law possessed, and, sweet
est of all, ones that they had long
coveted. She felt an immense ela-
tion, and a wonderful pride in Mr..
Goodge, Peter, andt Marjorie. She
thought for few moments OF the
shop beneath, and blessed the prohts
that 1t afforded them.
"We're in luck" she said. Il GER
tainly never thought that your father
would behave so handsome. MY,
won't Nan and Kate go mad when they
know he's given us those knives And
Percy's wife always wanted that linen.
Now we won't have to buy anything
for the house for ages. And Peter
and Marjorie were So good oil the
time, weren't they"
"Pretty good" responded MI
Goodge carelessly.
"T must say" said Mrs. Goodge
"that I've enjoyed every minute OF the
day. It's always so nice going out with
YOU. Goodnight, Harry
ayes, we had good time. Must go
again soon. Goodnight EN-, her
husband replied. and buried hlmselt
more costly in the bed,
The Goodge family slept.
HT,alApnb