Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1908 — Henry’s Wife [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Henry’s Wife

The Creasingers and all the family connections had been dubious when Henry married Mamie White. She was so essentially different from the women of their kind. The years of toll which Grandpa Cresslnger had put in first on the big farm he had bought when land was cheap and then on the bigger one when the boys grew up had resulted pleasantly In what the town of Three Plneß called a barrel of money. Grandpa Cresslnger, retired and Jiving in Three Pines, as did his two gray-headed sons and their famlles, was considered an Important element in the greatness of the town. Three Pines pronounced It essentially praiseworthy that, In spite of the abovementioned barrel, the Cresslnger women did their own housework, ripped and turned their silk gowns and objected strenuously when the grocer tried to run up the price of eggs. "They don’t put on airs just because they can afford to do it," was the complimentary verdict. Mamie White did put on airs. Elver since she had come to Three Pines to live with an uncle’s family she h&d been labeled by the older people frivolous and lacking In the attributes which a man should seek in a wife. To be sure, she had a position in the little public library—but she spent time polishing her nails and had been known to waste hours trying new ways of doing her hair. ‘ She openly said she did not know bow to make Jelly, Then Henry, the flower of the younger Creasingers, married Mamie and she descended into the very bosom of the Cresslnger family. Since that time the family had fallen into the habit of saying: "Poor Henry." Not that Henry lost any of his cheerfulness —rather he seemed to add to the original fund —but in the family councils it stood to reason that

no man could feel otherwise than that his life was wrecked when he had a wife who stayed In bed when she felt like it and let him get his own breakfast. “A headache never kept me in bed when there was work to do!” Henry’s mother said grimly. "And him just as good-natured about it!" “He gets everything she speaks of,” added the spinster aunt "And she goes to Chicago every time she wants new clothes or to see a play!” “She has a patent glass jar egg beater,” remarked Henry’s sister, with cold finality, "that cost a dollar and a quarter. I used a fork to whip eggs till I felt justified in buying a beater for 25 cents and I've used It five years and It Is as good as new.” But the worst was when Mamie came back from Chicago this fall after a visit te relatives. The Cressinger women had been over and she had gaily displayed her purchases In the city. They were still almost inarticulate with their consequent emotions. "Seventy-five dollars for a tailor suit!” repeated Grandma Cressinger, weakly. "Why, there are real pretty ones down at the store here for |l6. Just as tasty!” “She never needed that waist,” offered the spinster aunt in a stifled tone. "She had a good one last year. She said she had gone so much it was worn out —but I wear a silk waist three years myself!’’ "How does Henry take it?” inquired Grandma Cressinger in the repressed voice she kept tor funerals. "Has any one seen him.” "I’m mot saying anything,” remarked Henry's mother, “but there’s no telling where this will lead te. Even Henry won’t endure the squandering of his money like this! I shall stand by my eon, no matter what oooses!” Henry hlmealf buret In on the griefladen atmosphere Met then on his way downtown. His cat mtanoce waa glowing and ebeerfnL "Hello I” he aaM. generally. “Seen Mamie since she got la this morning? Bay, did you tea bar plunder T Hasn't sha an eye for style, though? And you ought to eee her when she gets those things «a aha has aha the apeta ftfl’n aaytMag In ths eswatgl She gets peefttsr every day!" There waa an laaanesd silanes as Mamie's hMfcand whistled and

“She Never Needed That Waist."