The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-16
Mrs. Kendrick's Neryes

tCopy Sight, 1924, by M. E, Bertram.) ) TT WAS Sunday !. Afternoon, spring
 afternoon, too Sur and cold for the
 Hendricks to go out in their car. Therefore, they were ssitffsg at home comfortable by the fireplace guar reling. That is, Mrs Kendrick was trying to get her husband to enter into a quarrel with her. She was nerv- ous as usual and it made her angry te see him sitting on the small of his back enjoying book that she did not think worth reading.
 Mrs, Kepdrick was plump and dark and did not look nervous at all. Indeed, she looked quite robAst as she sat toast ing her shins and complaining of the weather, of Judson's indifference, and of the fact that Mrs. Lowden had ap- peared at church that morning in q hat just like her new one-sand that deceitfui creature, Miss Toggs, vowed l by all that was great and good that mine was the only one of the kind she was selling in the whole town Y To all this Judson answered nothing, or merely muttersd ar "uh-huh' when she pressed him too hard. He did not know what nerves werr. she often told him, and so had no patience with suf- fering wofnan.kind. '
 All her life Mrs. .Kendrick had been afflicted with nerves. As little child she had been spanked for them; as a growing girl she had had her allow ance withheld; as A. woman, she had received the cold shoulder from her friends. Temper was what her hus- band knew it to be, although he loved her, or rather the temperishness that fcomes from not having enough to do to keep hands and mind busy. Per sona1Iy he longed for pair of children, but Mrs. Kendrick pretended to hate these needless responsibilities. And dogs and cats she abhorred. .1 | T wish you would put that old book down and talk to me, Judson, she l snapped.
 Judson answered. impefsurbly. Listen here. This Is rather good, " and began to read in his deep, gentle voice story about a little boy who ran away and the dog that found him and brought him back. ''Nonsense" ]" said Mrs. Kendrick. That never happened. It is just a story got up to fool credulous beings like yourself--what's the matter, Jud- son?
 Judson had lowered his book and was staring out of the window.
 Gracious :" he laughed. Talk about dogs! Come here, Avis, and see what's on our lawn"
 She arose and went to the window. Romping upon the lawn were a pair of puppies, with thick bodies covered with hair like beaver, pricking ears and curious eyes %s
 Dogs P gasped Mrs, Kendriek. Go drive them away. They. will be de. stroying something next.'
 Cute little fellows P Judson fluns aside his book, hoisted himself out Of 1 the chair and went to the door. Hi Hi!" he shouted. 4
 The little dogs heard him and bound. ed forward. They leaped upon him as friend. Before he could shut the door behind him they had bounded into the living room and hurled them. selves upon Mrs. Kendrick, barking, whining with delight, very tempest of paws, flying tails and tapping ton. gues.
 'Judson Take them away! Take =" She subsided into chair, instant. 1 ly a little dog was in her lap, another crowdinE her shoulder
 "Judsoni" she gasped. He stood before Der laughing. She pushed at one of the pups and he fell off the daven. port. Immediately the other pur bounced upon his brother and the 1ewc had a game of wrestling, after which they drew apart and eiared at each other panting, but sentirely good na. tured. wA
 "Juds5n," said Mrs. Kendrick, .'are you going to put them out?"
 Judson smoothed back his hair,
 Well, really Avis. they are pathAY