The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-08-29
LYDIA
RESOLVES
NEVER TO
COMPLAIN
(s9 by D. J. Walsh.D

T YDIA smiled grimly as she went
about her daily morning task of
setting the small house in or
der. Routine, nothing but rou-
tine" she thought as she busted a
chair viciousIy. First the breakfast to
get and the dishes TO wash, then the
children to be made ready for school.
The beds must be made, the busting
done. Then lunch, dishes, mending,
supper and more dishes. Last of all
there was the long evening alone. For
nearly year now Jim had always
had sometning-lodge meetings or
other things-to take him away from
home in the evening. They never
went our any more. Jim had said
when they were first married that a
woman's place was in the home. Ii
had been a joke then. but now-nOw it
was reality. Bobby was in third grade
now and Helen in second She and
Jim might 90 out The children were
ola enough 10 be left in the care of
some one. She thought of her sister.
Joan. who had never married. Joan
had a good position. her own apart
ment. She was independent. Lydia
set a chair in its proper place with
bang. The phone rang suddenly.
Lydia sighed More matters for her
10 attend TO, she supposed. She lifted
the phone from its shelf YEARLY.
Hello" she said in a listless voice.
Hello. Lyd. Rusy?" 1t was jim
"Yes." Was Jim so blind that he
couldn't see she was always busy?
'1.yd, I've some bad news for you.
can't he home for supper this eve
ming. They want me TO sit in on a
directors meeting down here at the
store. Sorry, but it can't he helped"
''Oh. that's all right. jim" Why had
she said that? She had been saying
that for the last year.
"Uh-huh. Glad you saw ii my way"
Just what he always said. Good by,
Lyd."
Good by, jim" She stood motion
less. gripping the phone tightly. SO
il had come TO this. Jim was too
busy to even come home for supper
She could leave the children with the
next-door neighhor. Jim could get his
OWN breakfast and Go just what he
pleased Joan had said she would
like 10 have Lydia with her. Thank
goodness for Joan. She started TO lift
the receiver. then stopped and placed
the phone on the shelf. No. she
wouldn't call Joan. She would simply
go to her. 1t would he better that
way. She might not go TO Joan after
all. She picked up the dust rag.
Heavens! She'd have TO hurry if she
wanted TO get the house in order and
get packed before the children came
home at n0on. She could let the dust
ing 90, but no. better leave clean
house. Jim wouldn't ever clean il him
self.
Now. what should she take with
her? She selected several dresses and
placed them on the bed. Now, where
was her -uitcase? Oh, in the base
nlent. She ran down the stairs. In
few minutes she returned, carrying
a small black leather travelling bag
She folded the dresses carefully and
placed them in the case. Now, what
shoes had she better take? She Sc
lected two pairs, one for dressup-Of:
where was that tissue paper? She
would have TO wrap those pumps so
they wouldn't scuff. She crossed over
to the dresser and began TO sort over
the contents Of one of the compart-
ments. No, she wouldn't take any
of those stockings. They were too
much darned. Size looked at her watch.
Goodness. ii couldn't be that late
Why, the children would be home any
minute now. Shed have TO go soon.
And she'd have TO call up next door
and ask Mrs Jacobs TO look after
them for today. She hurried down the
stairs and phoned hastily. Yes, Mrs
Jacobs. I've been called away for to-
day. My sister, you know. Yes,
think she'll be all right soon. You'll
look after the children, then? i may
not be back until rather late. No.
Thank you so much. Good by"
She ran up the stairs and finished
her packing hurriedly. Only few
minutes now. No time to change her
dress. She jammed on her hat and
slipped into her coat There, she was
nearly ready. Heavens. but she looked
queer-old housedress and compare
lively new coat and hat. She looked
like, well, an immigrant, or something.
Well, she was an emigrant, or would
be soon. She was going out and away,
goodness knew where. The front door
slammed. She was caught. Maybe
she could hide. She listened for the
sound of Helen's voice calling, "Mom-
my, where are you?" She heard heavy
footsteps, mans voice saying: We'll
put her right here. son."