The story
“The young husband was a very ‘tired business man,’ but instead of hurrying to the gay lights of Broadway, he remained at home in bed and worried the life out of his patient wife. His little daughter was a very active youngster and the noise made by her, assisted by her little playmates, drove him almost frantic. Sympathetic friends called and gravely decided that he had only a short time to live. The children were cautioned to be very quiet, so as not to disturb the sick man, and they tried very hard to obey the command. A doll, belonging to one of the little girls, was broken, and the children decided to have a funeral. ‘But where can we find the crepe?’ a little girl exclaims in dismay. Willie Jones, who was present, looked mysterious and told them not to worry. He hurried off and soon reappeared with the bonnet of his mother, a widow. The crepe was removed from the bonnet, placed over the door bell, and the doll funeral wended its way from the house to a convenient backyard, where the doll was solemnly interred.
“The head of the family gradually felt better and began to take an interest in life. In the meantime his friends noticed the crepe on the door and sadly concluded that he must have passed away. Soon a solemn procession made its way to the house and asked to see the wife. The servant thought they were crazy, the wife was sure of it, and called her husband. The visitors cowered behind chairs when the husband appeared and disgustedly asked what was the matter. Then explanations ensued and the irate parents sallied forth, seized their offspring and visited summary punishment upon them.”
Summary from The Moving Picture World · 19 July 1913
