Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1912 — COULD NOT SAY NO TO ADELAIDE [ARTICLE]

COULD NOT SAY NO TO ADELAIDE

Major Atkinson, according to his wife's testimony, doesn’t know how to say no to Adelaide, his niece. This assertion is borne out by the fact that when Adelaide asked him to appear in Juvenile costume at what she called a “kid party,” which she was to “-give at his summer home, he consented with an outward smile and an inward groan. “I wish,” he said to his wife in private, “that Adelaide hadn’t insisted upon my taking part in this ridiculous affair of hers. In fact, I don’t see why she wants to give such a nonsensical party." “Why do you aid and abet her?” demanded his wife. “When I suggested that she think of something newer and more dignified, you immediately said, ‘Let her have any kind of party she pleases,’ ” “Well, one doesn’t like to be always interfering with her pleasures. There’s no particular harm in her having a child’s party, is there? But I know I shall feel like a perfect idiot dressed in the little girl’s early Victorian costume that Adelaide has picked out for me.” He glanced into the mirror and sighed as he stroked his graying Vandyke beard.

The afternoon of the party Adelaide, after tying the strings of a quaint little sunbonnet under the major’s beard, drew away and surveyed him from the top Of the sunbonnet to the tins of his white stockinged and black slippered feet “Uncle, you’re certainly the most excruciatingly funny sight I ever beheld,” she declared. “I’m so glad I found those pantalettes In grandma’s old trunk. They’re perfectly killing. You’ll make the hit of the evening.” “I suppose I’m what you’d call a screaming success,” said the major, somewhat wryly. “You don’t think I’m too complete, do you?” “No, you’re just—just lovely,” Adelaide squeezed the large sun browned hand of her uncle, half of which was neatly incased in a white lace mitt. “But with that cigar In your mouth you’re a sight to behold.” “Well, I must have a little smoke before your guests come, Adelaide. I’ll Just take my magazine and read and smoke on the lawn until the festivities begin.” A little later, as Mrs. Atkinson and Adelaide were putting the finishing touches on their own costumes, they saw a striking looking couple alight from a motor car and approach the major, who rose with his accustomed courtliness and greeted them. “Good gracious, Adelaide! Your uncle appears to be absolutely unconscious of his absurd attire,” exclaimed Mrs. Atkinson. “He is taking those people around the garden as unconcernedly as it he were dressed in a business suit. They must think he Is crazy! Here, I’ll slip on a long coat over my short skirt and run out and explain.” The major welcomed his wife with a smile. “I’m glad you joined us, niy dear, for I wish you to meet Professor and Mrs. Lee of the university, who have heard flattering reports of our garden and have come way out from |he city to see our rare roses. We are honored, I’m sure.” “I think,” said Mrs. Atkinson to the visitors, after acknowledging the introduction, “that you aye seeing something else quite as rare as our roses.” She laughed and looked at her husband.

“By Jove, I’d forgotten this fool fig,” exclaimed the major, with some temper. “I wonder what you can have thought of me.” “Well,” laughed Professor Lee, “the friends who told us about your roses said that some of your neighbors considered you rather eccentric to devote so much of your time to flowers. When we introduced ourselves I thought you were perhaps a trifle unusual in your dress.” “Unusual! I should think so,” exclaimed the major. Then, turning severely to his wife, he said: “I can’t see, my dear, why you ever permitted Adelaide to ge up such an idiotic party. I fear you give that girl her head too much.” He glanced down at his costume again. “This is really preposterous. Is that you calling, Adelaide? Yes, we’ll be there at once. You see, Mrs. Lee, the party is beginning and I’ve promised my niece to be In the grand march. You’ll join us, won’t you?”—Chicago Dally News.