Petoskey High School - Observer Yearbook (Petoskey, MI)

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A NElGHBOR'S UNNEIGHBORLY MISTAKF.. Now if you'll just turn around, I'll see if it hangs all right in back. Molly's husband with a half-finished dress draped -on him obedient- ly turned, and his wife, satisfied, commenced extracting pins, saying as she did so, Isn't it convenient, Bob, that you and I are almost the same size l It may be convenient, returned her husband a trifle shortly, but it's darn humiliating to have the men in the office find silk threads hang- ing to my clothes. Take that brush there Molly, and be so kind as to be my valet as I have been in being your model. Molly laughingly complied and bade him good-by. After a long, hard day in the office, Bob returned to his small but comfortable bungalow, to find a note on the smooth, round surface of the dining room table which read: Have had a telegram from Bay City saying father is seriously ill with typhoid. You'll find your lunch on the dining room table-I'll be back as soon as possible. Molly. H'm-well I'm afraid the old gentleman can't last long. How thoughtful of Molly to have a hot supper ready. Bob commented as he stepped into the spotless kitchen. Bob had just finished dishes, when he heard a knock at the door, and opened it to see the plump wash-lady, Mrs. Ricks. Good evening, Mr. Morrison, I've just brought back the washing- It's 32.50 this time. I'm afraid I can't give you the right change, Mrs. Ricks, but if you'll just wait a second, I'll go with you and stop at the nearest drug store and have this five spot changed. Bob might have been greatly annoyed could he have known that their neighbor to the right of his well-trimmed hedge, Miss Sara Bennet, a maiden lady of 45, had stared with raised eyebrows at the indistinctly outlined figures that issued from the pretty bungalow, and could he have heard her remark to her pet parrot: When the cat's away the mice will play and it's quite easy to see that our handsome young bride-groom is no exception to the rule. And it's quite likely, she continued, That he invited this woman to supper with him, as I've been keeping an eye on the house ever since I saw wifey go away this afternoon. I surmised that there would be something doing-husband's are never loyal long-that's why I have never mar- ried. . - Poll wearily turned on his perch, away from his talkative mistress and settled himself comfortably for the night. After paying the wash-lady, Morrison strolled on through town, meditating on his good luck in having Molly for a wife, when a brilliant- ly lighted show window caught his attention. A sign in the window read: Adjustable Models at Half Price-Save Your Wife Trouble in Sewing-Sale Lasts Only Two Hours. By Jiminy, Bob exclaimed buoyantly, She shall have one if it takes my last cent. I'll have one delivered this very night. And so forthwith a model of the very latest make was taken to Morrison's home at 10 o'clock. PAGE SEVENTY-SIX

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a 'green' messenger, indeed, who had made such a mistake, if one had been made, for the street was in the so-called 'Swamp' fvery different from the fashionable avenue.J It took but a moment to find 136 and a little bit to go up the dark, dingy stairway and inquire if anyone by the name of Bentonne lived there. The janitor's eyes twinkled as he answered, s Oi, and if 'ye'll be afther lookin' for a cook, ye'll shure be afther iindin' one of the best this side of ould Ireland where me mither is. CThe Irishman recollected a certain generous piece of cream pie given to him by the dusky mammy.J b Thanking him and gladdening his heart with a generous tip, she hurried up the steps and knocked at a door. There was scuifling of feet, then two big white orbs set in darkest ebony looked cautiously around the edge of the door. The old mammy looked rather suspicious at sight of the wealthy white girl. Are you Mrs. Benton? Jeanne inquired quickly. Yas'm, honey, Ah is, then, hospitably, Won't yo' all come right in heah, and tell Mammy what yo' all hab on yo' min'? Thank you. The room was vacated but as she seated herself Jeanne felt that eyes were watching her. Yesterday, she began, I bought a hat from Madame G-, and this morning it had not arrived so I could wear it to church. My maid suggested that it might have been sent to this street, by mistake, instead of to Hamilton Avenueg so to save time and anxiety, I came myself to inquire. I hope you will not think I am intruding. The old mammy blinked and said, hesitatingly, Yas'm-yas'm. Ah just knowed dat' de Lawd and de blessed angels ub Hebben didn't bring dat hat to mah Jane. It shuahly ain't hahdly neber done. Jane! she called. Yas'm, Jane appeared, her hands hidden behind her back. What hab yo' all got in yo' hainds? Jane produced the hat and immediately handed it over. But the look of profound disappointment on the gir1's face did not escape Jeanne. Then she did a strange thing. Drawing back with a surprised look on her face she stammered: Why, a-, why, I have been mistaken. This is not my hat! Oh, Pm so sorry to have troubled you! And you say the hat was sent by messenger? . ' Ah donf know, honey, Ah found de box wid de hat in it outside ub de doh dis mawnin'. . Oh, I'm-sure this was a present from the angels, after all, she said, rising to go. p 'fDe Lawd help us, Ah b'lieves yo' all hab done tole de truf. Dat hat couldn't hab got heah no other Way, ah knows. Good mawnin' honey. Outside, Jeanne looked at her watch and found it too late for church anyway. V. E., '23. PAGE SEVENTY-FIVE

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Miss Sara Bennet hearing the chug-chug of the motor as she was snapping on the last electric curler, confidently told her unimposing re- flection in the small cracked mirror, that young Morrison was certainly gay and extravagant when his wife was gone, to come home in a taxi when street cars were so much cheaper and more decent looking. The next day Bob had just finished his breakfast dishes, when he received the following telegram: Father marvelously improved-expect to be home some time today.--Molly. By jiminy gee V' cried Morrison joyously, I'll just have time to fix that precious model up like a person, before I go to work! Won't Molly be surprised? At three o'clock that afternoon, Miss Sara Bennet found herself struggling with an ungovernable curiosity to see how that fiighty Mr. Morrison kept house in his wife's absence so after looking cautiously in all directions to see that no chance passerby was near, she stealthily ventured to the front French window and peered in through her gold- rimmed glasses. , g My soul and body! she exclaimed piously, as the form of the mo- del gorgeously arrayed in a lacy pink negligee met her curious eyes, If I wasn't right about that young man leading a double life I'll eat my hat ! A light familiar foot step startled the trespasser and quickly turn- ing around she saw pretty, brown-eyed Mrs. Morrison attired in a smart, brown traveling suit gazing inquiringly at her. Miss Bennet beckoned her, and then sorrowfully, while gravely shaking her head, told, or rather started to tell Molly, the shameful double life her trusted hus- band had been leading in his wife's absence. Surely Miss Bennet you are mistaken, I believe I know Mr. Morri- son better than you do, broke in Molly hotly, And if you'll follow me into the house I think I can convince you that no one is concealed there. Miss Bennet followed willingly enough without further invitation, and the door was unlocked by Molly's trembling fingers turning a bright new key. - The door swung open and Molly catching sight of the woman's figure lying on the davenporh, for one terrible minute in which every- thing swam before her eyes, thought that all her happiness was over- Bob was untrue-but resolving to get to the bottom of the affair at once, she said in a harsh voice: Madam, I demand to know instantly the reason for your presence. No reply broke the tense silence. With a determined step Molly went towards the davenport. ' Why-why-what, stammered Molly, if Bob hasn't bought me a model-how kind, how thoughful, and then remembering the presence of her neighbor, who had been standing with mouth agape and eyes unbelievingly fixed on the model, during Molly's expressions of delight, Molly turned gracefully, dramatically around to see how the old trouble- maker would take it. You may be sure Molly enjoyed the woman's sur- prise and consternation, and then realizing what a fool Miss Bennet must feel like, she said kindly, Pm afraid the joke's on you, but any time you want to use my new model, please feel welcome to do so. But Miss Bennet had fled at Molly's first word-fled back to her electric curlers and Poll the parrot. -Velma Howe, '23, PAGE SEVENTY-SEVEN