Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-14
Xxi

thAflkR In
Byrd told her father and mother
that Larry was out Of town for a
few weeks, and that explanation
seemed to be sufficient for a while.
But after the second week. her
fathers quizzicsl glsnces in her di-
rection, and her mothers direct
questions began to give her a de-
cidedly Uncomfortable feeling.
In order to avoid her mothers
dictatorship around the house, Byrd
started righS at the beginning of her
visit home to 20 down to the bank
with her father every morning. he
had kept her busy and had seemed
glad 10 have her helping him. But
even this began TO pail. Work in a
country bank was not as exciting as
a position as Mr.. Folks secretary.
Byrd helped Minnie with the
dishes every night. and vaS usually
on the point Of screaming when
they had finished. Minnie was a par
ticularly stupid person and asked
the same questions over and over
again about city life.
Afterwards she usually sat with
the family. including Minnie, around
the msrble-topped sitting room table.
her father reading his paper. her
mother with her sewing and Minnie
gaping az her through er thick
lens. ready to ask another question.
1T beats me that you haven't
heard from Larry since you've been
here said her mother, sharply.
who said I hadn't heard from
him. asked Byrd, assuming an. in
jured tone.
"Well, there amt no letter come
to this house," snapped Mrs. Ham
ilton Erimly. between set teeth.
And I haven't heard yeu say you'd
gotten any mail at the bank
Lor a second Byrd was nonplused.
She knew that she could never take
her mother into her confidence. not
until she was forced 20. She looked
desperately toward her father for
help.
What's that you're saying. Het?"
he inquired. as If he'd heard just
the tale-end Of the conversation. Mrs.
Hamilton repeated her words.
And if you ask me. ! think it's
mighty queer for a young married
oman a bride Of not yet a year, 10
20 ~traipsing off every little while,
making her Woodworking husband
pay unnecessary travelling expen-
ses."
Her father laughed good natursd-
~. Nothing could ruffle him. de
had the poise Of a man without a
-s--T m.- III. kfm AzGr
well, il you'd give Byrd a chance
instead OF doing all the talking
yourself, she'd probably tell you
that she gets a telegram every other
day or So and in a letter she got a.
the bank the other day Larry said
he was moving around so fast that
he'd lust wire her instead OF writ
ing. That stock Of his - selling
like popcorn bslls!"
wei, il he's In this part Of the
country, il looks pretty funny to me
that he can't run down over SUM
day to see his folks" Mrs. Hamilton
continued. biting out the words
with a gritting sound like the gnasn-
ing OF teeth.
well. If he's in this part Of the
little ~sniveling detail about your
son-in-law's affairs" continued Mr.
Hamilton. "he explained that, too
He had 20 20 up to Cleveland after
bis partners death and straighten
out a mess OF things there. That
took several week-ends. ! suppose.
Byrd looked with amusement and
gratitude az her father. And after
her mother had one upstairs 10 get
ready for he'd. they giggled toether
over the scene.
Gosh. jim" said Byrd. eyeinr her
father with admiration, what q
whooping liar you've become"
"A fib now and then suits the hon.
estest Of men" he answered. with q
righteous look in his laughing eyes
Byrd felt q little better the next
morning. She hoped her mother had
been silenced for some time.
"0h. yummyi- she exclaimed. o.
Mrs. Hamilton brought in a dish Of
stesmia- fried mush r. the break
fast table. what . treat for . hun
cry tummy. don't know when I've
tasted fried mush!"
-You wouldn't expect city folks TO
cock anything that's economical even
IL it's good began Mrs. HLmilton.
on the sare everlasting note Of
rriticism. "why In the world you
don't have things like cooked hom-
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