The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
DOMESTIC DAYS
By ROY L. M'CARDELL

MT. Jarr had stepped into sols Smoke Shop on the corner to see what time it was, and was pained to observe his friend. John w. Rangle. hanging over a cigar case in a de- spondent attitude.
 Whats the matter, old man? Why ain't you at home with your nice wife and children?" inquired MT. Jarr, the moralist.
 Do you think I'd be suspended here if l could get in my own homer" cried MT. Rangle. 'I'll tell you, I'm being driven to drink. I know a mans place is in the home, but how can he get in his home when his wife is housekeeping in preparation for the Thanksgiving holidays? I don't know much about the ways of women I've only been married about Is years-but you can't tell me that it isn't the closed season for house. here, in the middle of November. to start housecleaning-Jarr, I know it isn't natural. It is done for no other purpose except to punish me-
 Punish you? What for?' asked MT. Jarr.
 Why, to punish mel" replied MT. Rangle. "A mans wife doesn't pun ish a husband because he deserves it. That's the very time she is the incest. But my wife is sore at the world, and she's taking it out on home and hus- band. She's cleaned up the house, and I've cleaned out"
 MT. Jarr faltered at this awful pie ture of woe and desolation presented to his imagination.
 Isn't there anything that can be done?" he asked.
 MT Rangle shook his head in grim despair. 'Tll leave it to you if it's chubby to pull the horrors of house. cleaning on a kind and patient hus- band at this time of year." whim- housecleaning. And I'm a pretty good guy at that, ain't F" and he sighed for sheer pity and sympathy for himself Don't l treat her right?" MT. Rangle went on. Don't I give her every cent I make?" And wrap him up box of 15-cent cigars.
 An idea occurred to MT. Jarr "I don't suppose you've had any sup per?" he inquired.
 | q don't want any supper" moaned MT. Rangle. There isn't any sup per in my house. There's nothing but soap and steam and sorrow"
 Well, I'll tell you what we'll do," said MT. Jarr You come over to my house and have a nice dinner in comfort. Your wife won't miss you if she's housekeeping.
 You've saved my life" cried MT. Rangle, and departed with one good friend
 "Ive brought MT. Rangle home for dinner" explained MT. Jarr when he arrived at the door of his domicile
 Well, I'm very sorry, MT. Rangle," replied Mrs. Jarr, speaking to the guest and ignoring MT. Jarr, "but we have only a picked-up meal, as l am getting the house cleaned for Thank sgiving."
 But MT. Rangle was leaping from crag to crag down the stairs. Mrs. Jarr's head was tied up in a dust cloth as he had seen Mrs. Bangles. l bargain hunting, friend husband reached home before her, and pre- pared to take his ease ere his good lady returned.
 But little Emma Jarr, playing be- hind his chair, was evidently the au- thor of the most distressing series of sounds that it had been MT. Jarr's fortune to hear. The sounds were as thought same one were choking the child, and ended in a doleful "hoo-ho
 What's the matter with you?" asked MT. Jarr, looking up from his evening paper and turning around.
 "Nothn'!" said the little girl, as she hid small object under her dress.
 Let me see what it is darling" MT. Jarr requested. "1s it the squeaker out of your doll?"
 No, it's what Willie took out of the clock" explained the little girl. "He hid it under the bed and found it.''
 It was the little thing that makes the noise from one of those old-fash- toned cuckoo clocks. Little Emma surrendered the instrument of tor ture, and MT. Jarr put it in his pock- ct and forgot it.
 Home now being thoroughly happy, the events of the evening went on in their usual way. After dinner, MT Jarr, having his coat on, betrayed symptoms of wanderlust.
 T suppose you are going out and leave me alone, after my being in the house all day?" remarked Mrs Jarr, noticing his restlessness. She | had not been in the house all day She had been shopping all day. But for MT. Jarr this was the time for diplomacy. and not for contradiction.
 "Well-er-er, thought l would