Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 110: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

256 Mrs. Dowdy hesitated, then, with a con- ciliatory glance at Charlie, cut the Gordian knot. “Yes, take it, Willy. Charlie says he ain’t hungry now, and I’] make him some moge this evenin’.” With a wild whoop Willy seized the bow! in both hands and darted out of the room. Now, Charlie had not wanted the prune whip; quite to the contrary, he had scorned . But he had net counted on resigning | it. his claims to the speiled boy; it irritated him provokingly. “Did yeu ever step to think you’re doing that boy an injustice, indulgin’ him that- away?” he began fretfully. “Why, Charlie?” “‘ Because he will be just the kind of man that you’re learnin’ him to be as a boy—irrespensible and selfish and lazy. You oughta control him and discipline him better.” “T want him to be happy,” smiled Mrs. Dowdy, fluffing up the invalid’s pillows. “ That’s just it!” snapped Charlie, shak- ing his finger. ‘‘ You’re layin’ up the big- gest stock of unhappiness it’s possible for aman to have. He can’t always have his mother with him to indulge him and protect him. You ought to learn him self-reliance, woman.” There was truth in Charlie’s assertion, and Mrs. Dowdy did not combat it. “T do try, Charlie,” said she. The sick man was now fairly launched on his theme. “ And another thing,” he went on, for- getting that the only kind of criticism a mother cares to hear about her child is praise, ‘‘ the kid’s so darned egotistical!” Mrs. Dowdy gasped, but Charlie contin- ued, unheeding. “You've always led him to believe he was the most important human on the globe —that what he done was right, and what he wanted he had to have. That ain’t no way to raise a boy—the age of tyrants and kaisers is past. Learn him,” continued Charlie, as if he were the austere apostle admonishing the Ephesians, “ that he’s as good as anybody else, but no better; and that if he wants anything, first let him prove that he deserves it and can afford it.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “ That’s so hard, Charlie,” spoke the in- dulgent mother. a “‘ Hard? The devil! It’s a hard world he’s got to live in, ain’t it? Now, suppos- in’ he grows up like you’ve started him— a egotistical, selfish, spineless jellyfish of a man! You won’t be here always to protect him, and the world will swat him at every corner. Bill goes on, blamin’ everybody but himself for his hard. luck. One day he meets a girl that he loves and ‘wants to marry. “Inspired by your teachin’, he up and marries her, not because he deserves her or can afford a wife, but because he wants to! Ain’t that hell?” concluded Charlie. “Why, even you, Miz Dowdy, can see what the outcome will be. The girl may love him ever s0 much at first, but if the young gent don’t meet the responsibilities he assumed when he married her, her love will change to disgust.” “Charlie,” Mrs. Dowdy laughed ner- vously, “ this is awful funny. You talkin’ about marriage and such—you bein’ a bach- elor and all.” “Well, I can tell you a heap about mar- riage, even if I have been a bachelor all my life,” Charlie declared, and went on to prove it. ‘I’ve noticed a man, consciously or unconsciously, gives his wife the same consideration his mother had, and Bill here, seein’ you the head of your family always, will be perfectly satished to have his wife support him. And,’ finished Charlie, ‘‘ sup- portin’ an able-bodied man ain’t no wom- an’s job! .With all respect to you, Miz Dowdy.” ‘You surprise me, Charlie.” “ Well, I’m as full of surprises as a prize box, and I could go on for a week, but it won't do no good, and I reckon I might as well save my wind. But I want to say this,” he added earnestly. ‘“‘ You think you’re doing your duty, and, looking at it one way, you are a brave woman, and I honor you—mighty few women would do what you’re doing—but can’t you see that as long as you will do it you'll have to? Dowdy will let you!” Charlie had reached bis real objective. He raised himself on one elbow to give emphasis to his words. comiclbooolx C©