Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-23

and had begun to throw ont demure hints that
she could not with propriety remain much
longer under his roof. unless she stayed there
with higher title than that of house6eeper.
In fact, matters were fast tending to bring
about marriage between Mr. Nowon and Mrs.
Demitt. and il looked as if this amiahle laGv's
ambition was lust on the point Of realization,
when one morning Mrs ID. being out shop
ping). Mr.. Nowon sat by his parlor window in a
dressing gown and cotton Sight-cap, and saw a
tall. lean man walk past his house. He knew
him at once it was tae tall, lean man who had
cursed him. Starting up nj once. Mr.. Nowon,
IN fearful agitation. scampered out of the house.
and overtaking the stranger. accosted him
in voice of awful supplicaton, night-cap in
hand--
oh sir. whoever you are. remove your curse
from me. II really did not mean to push you
into the puddle. 1 shall d-die soon if this
goes on"
Curse? puddle?" echoed the stranger. look
ing with astonishment at the invalid figure
before him: and he broke abruptly into good
humored laugh. He did not look very diabol-
ical man. II beg your pardon" he said. 81
thought you understood l was joking. The
tru h is am an actor, and was going to re-
hearse part in which that long-winded curse
accurs-it's in a farce-so thought Ivould Just
give You the benefit of it: but it was all in fun
pure fun. assure you"
Fun! fun, sir" calculated Mr.. Nowon. in
broken voice. why. my hat and boots have
shrunk to the size of dolls. and 1 myself am
Shrinking TO a shadow at the rate of one inch
ami five ounces a day.'
Mr. Nowon was SO overcome that the actor.
thinking him crazed ian opinion in which some
n!standers joined). led him back kindly. into
his house. But there Mr.. Nowon detained him.
ana related the whole of his grieyous story after
which he again implored the actor to remove his
curse. ms the actor did. heapng. with per
1ect gravity, great many blessings on Mr.. No
won's head: hut when he had discharged this
duty he said ''lf | were you Mr. Nowon |
would search your houSekeepers room. 1t
seems to me that she has been playing with
what. Mrs. Demitt? Impossibe,' ey
claimed the patient. But the amused look on
the actors face had an effect on him. and sus-
plclons, once k:n.lled i'm his brain. soon made
blaze there. Come with me, sir. he fatcrcd.
ION, that woman. Is ii possbe:" and
they both assembled to Mrs. Demitt's room-that
lady being still out.
In Mrs. Demitt's room. which Mr. Nowon did
not enter without trepidation. they found a
bunch of keys. and one of the KEYS opened
large trunk. This was unlocked and inside il
were Mr. NOwon's accursed hat and boots along
with four other smaller hats and four other
smaller pairs of boots. Mr.. NowOn stood like
one transtiXed.
Il thought So" said the actor: but he laughed.
1or he thought the whole affair capital Joke:
ana ne pointed out how cunning Mrs. Demitt
had been. She had not only bought these
smaller hats and boots to frghten Mr.. Nowon,
but she had purchased them of his own makers
and had creased the Innings of the hats and dir
tied the sOles of the boots, to make them look
like her employers own. "A master woman
that. SIT" dec AIRED the actor. admiringly.
oh. good gracious, l was going to marry
her." calculated Mr.. NOwon. with rolling eyes,
like one who has escaped falling down deep
pit.
HIM, you might have done worse" said the
tall lean man; sharp women are not too plen-
tfuI."
But this was not the opinion of the outraged
Mr.. NowOn. who was with difficulty restrained
from calling in the police. Presently when
Mrs. Demitt returned. she found all the hats
and boots arrayed on the parlor table, and
uttered a squa at seeing herself found out.
Madam, We part this very day. cried Mr..
Nowon with great dignity; but thus driven to
bay. Mrs. Demitt burst into a forced laugh and
biaZened it out.
We'll, have had good joke at your ex-
pense. you silly old man. you,' she said impu-
IDENTITY. land wish Miss Jenniesjoy if she mar
ries such an old goose
In this little speech the words that most irri-
tated Mr.. NowOn were ''old man" and ''old
goose; but everyone will be glad to hear that
he was soon consoled by finding that Miss koy
did not think him too old to make good hus-
band. A brilliant wedding took place, and the
TALL lean actor was invited to breakfast There
he took the opportunity of once more unsaying
his curse and he blessed the bride and bride
groom from head to foot, chats and boots in
Guided. ''-LosaGOn Truth