Connecticut western news., 1884-02-13
ADOubIe Misunderstanding

One day ln last December MT. Hamll- car Thornlove found his boots soaked through, and taking them off in his store, he flung them down to dry. It was an act of trifing importance to any but a very discerning mind. Yet it was fraught with dire consequences to MT. Thornlove. But what could he know of the future, poor soul
 "What poor soles they make now-a- days p he murmured. 1T will put on my slippers and step into my neighbor Justout, and see if he can't settle his account today"
 He was man of his word and did so. While he was gone, in came his friend, Paul Hobbleden, and asked where Thornlove was. He was told to wait few minutes, and while he was waiting, as he was only an old bachelor, accustomed to look only after his own health he drew off his boots, toasted his toes for half an hour, and then, an- gry at waiting so long, hastily shod him self, and went away grumbling.
 Thornlove soon after returned, also cross. Justout was not in, and now he heard that Hobbleden was gone out. This made him doubly peevish.
 "Hobbleden gone wish he would stay gone. That man haunts me three times a week at the house and as often here. I have known Hobbleden ever since before l was married, and he knew Ophelia before l married her Perhaps that's why he never got married. Might be. Sticks to me like barnacle. Af- ter me so often and nothing particular to say. Perhaps he comes to see if I am here, that he can go to see Mrs. Thorn love. I'll watch Hobbleden How the snow stretches boots p He drew them on
 When Thornlove went home that even- ing he felt ugly and tantalizing. He had caught cold from going in his slip pers. OpheIia played pathetic air on the piano and sang to soothe him.
 "Don't do that, Ophelia. Oh, don't I'd rather hear funeral sermon"
 "Thought you liked sentiment.
 "Hate it.
 ''Shall I sing something funny?"
 "No, you think more of lingering that old music-trap than you do of me-"
 'eWhat shall say?"
 "Anything-or nothing would suit me better" he growled. "I'm bound to have row p he reflected.
 "You're as odd as any old bachelor p "Don't you like 'em?" said he. "Hob- bleden is one of them"
 "But he's an old friend of ours.
 "Of ours ?" emphasized Thornlove. sI should think 50. He's here enough. ' "I suppose the poor man don't know where to go," said Ophelia, sympa. thetically.
 ''I should think he did know where tc go-he goes here, that is to say, he comes here, as regularly as an old owl to it's roost"
 'It can't be that you're jealous oi Paul Hobleden, can it?-a man thai you've known for so many years ?" said she, curiously.
 "No, it can't" replied he; and ther thought. "Ah ! she's trying to pump me, but she won't"
 '1 have to be pleasant when ht comes; mustn't be inhospitable, mus I?"
 "Of course not. Oh, of course not He's something of bore, though"
 ''So are all old bachelors. Iwouldn' give you for hundred of him. Ha ha Old Hobbleden p
 "She's laughing at my simplicity Thinks I don't know it. I'll keep m, eyes open, night and day."
 Paul Hobbleden returned to Thorn love's store in about week. This tim, limping.
 "A confounded corn kept me away g. long,"
 ''Shouldn't wear tight boots. Whe man gets to be dandified it's @ sign h is in love. Who's to be the happy Mrs Hobbleden-?"
 Don't joke"
 Don't wear tight boots."
 Don't you know any remedy for corn p
 "Cut your toe off?'
 "You are inhuman p
 "Any old bachelor who is dand enough to wear tight boots ought to hay corns all over him.
 "Had-had he? Good morning cried Hobbleden, exasperated. "Ill SC