New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-09-10
The surprise That Came 70
Trouble Madee

II there hsd been a mirror SUD
6ehly placed before my face whsI
my Asishber Mrs, "PetsF'' Marks
made her astounding proposition,
am sure II would have reflected al
-meuthed stare, with a jaw Tidlr
euleusly dewn-drepped,
i teek me several seconds 10 com
pfshsHd that her request for Dieky's
evening clothes meant that IN some
mysterious fashion she intended "a
get them pressed fer me, and seN-
eFsl additional seeands elapsed before
] could rid myself Of the fear that
plekys anger II he learned Of my ae,
esrtsnes Of her aid, would be some,
thing With which 10 reckon, Hts
glimpsss Of our bizarre neiEhhors had
been 50 displsasing 10 him that
! knew he would strongly resent my
putting myself under the yoke Of ever
90 slifh, an obligation 20 them,
II don't blame sou for opening
your mouth like n fish," Mrs. Marks
gisEied sleefully al her own smile.
"you didn't expect 10 md a tailor
right In the next room did you.
pearie?"
WINGED al the diminutiYe endear.
msnt-it II one OF my strongest aver.
sions-and stammered a foolish repe-
fition OF her words.
"A-a-tsilor 90
"surest thing you know" came the
CHEEKY response. Il worked nearly
year at II before married Petey.
and, believe me, that's some time In
my young life 10 stick 10 one thing
But ! quit because ! wanted TO. not
because ] had 10. You can bet your
last cent on that My boss offered
me more money 10 stick when told
him ! was going. but nothing cook
Ing, nothing at ALL He said / was
the best presser he ever had. so you
don't need TO fear I'll spoil your
hubs things.
You Needn't Worry"
But you'd better let me get at
EN-" she declared. There amt any
too much time before he gets home
and you naturally won't want to let
him know who's really done the job
for you. l can tell he hasn't any |
violets or roses In his mitt for me or
Petey-he don't like US one little bit |
but that's neither here nor there
] like you hne--and you done me a
good turn the other night that / won't !
forget In a hurry. So just rush out |
the clothes, and I'll have EN- back |
Bafe and sound before he ever puts his |
key in the door"
There was something SO hypnotic in
her smile and words atrocious
though her vocabulary was that.
urged also by the absolute hopeless
ness of any other course for me. I
half mechanically turned to the chair
where / had deposited Dickys eve-
,ing clothes and gathered them up
She took them from
ne briskly and started down the
TALL, throwing last reassurance over
Ter shoulder:
You needn't worry about EN-,
Dearie, l always press Peteys and
lon't he look like he just popped out
# handbook"
At the Mail Box
Il know they'll be splendid. thank
rou so much I forced myself to
although my heart
lad sunk at her reference to her ,
husbands raiment. I had a vivid
'ision of the f1amboyant apparel
ported by Mr.. "Petey" Marks upon
he one occasion when he and his
uxom spouse had favored us with
call. | knew nothing of the intri- /
acies of pressing. Surprising Mrs.
iarks should put in some embellish-
1ents which would delight Petey's
artorial taste. but which would be /
nathema to Dicky s
There was nothing for me to do, t
owever. save to wait and offer men
II cblations to my particular little
,ss that things would after all turn
ut all right-.the Micawberish hope il
, which we are often compelled to II
ling. r.
With the determination to put the d