Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-01-23


over his head, aS if it drti,d brush ur
comb. His sharp. black eyes
twinkled with fun and >hr,wd-
ness. His watch-chain and studs
We're very massive, and. together
with his black ,roadcloih clothes,
gave him general air of aillurnce and
comfort Mr.. Townrr ro>c Is we an
tered and shook hands cordially with
my agent. who then turned to me and
said: ''Allow RE to Introduce III,
friend Mr.. Smartchild." Mr. Townrr
smiled and said he was happy to meet
me-. | felt rather embarrassed. al
though neither of my companions
Thought had any object in view except
business. Ii WAS soon settled about
my iron railing. and. as | could think
of no excuse for staying longer. was
preparing To leave the room when Mr.
Townrr stopped me to ask if had not
some relations in MachaS. Me re-
piled that had. He went on to SAY
that he had known Frank Smart
child in his youth who afterwari be-
came quite "A prominent lawyer in Port
land. but that for the last ten years he
iShed by saving: Your name i 81 pc
culiar that supposed he was some rcla-
ton of Yours" answered: ''IIc i
my uncle and am his namcSakc' Mr..
Townrr seemed delighted to hear this.
and kept plying me with questions
about my uncle. After had answered
all Mr.. Townrr'S quest onS concerning
my uncle started again t. leave the
office. When Mr.. Towncr saw that |
was really goin" he said: This must
not he the end of our acquaintance with
one another. You must come to the
house to see us. Suppose you come
next Sunday to dinner. ! shall be- very
glad to have my family know the
nephew of such a good friend as YOUR
uncle was to me- accepted the invi-
tat on with warmth but Scalmne>S. 1t
really seemed too good to he true.
As we walked away from Mr.. Town
er'S office. my agent congratulated HIM
self on being the means of bringing
Mr.. Towncr and me together. Little
did he know how had >chcmrd and
planned TO become acquainted with the
Towner family. Perhaps some time
would tell him my story if all pro-
grc~>rd as well as it now promised.
All day my thoughts We're occupied
with my prospective visit. That eve
ming went to take short walk.
was buried deep in thought, and as
some one in passing pushed me little
I came back to the present. and on
looking to see where had wandered
found myself in Concord avenue. |
was convinced my thoughts must have
been much more occupied with my
lovely unknown friend than had sup
posed if uncOnsciouslv in walking had
Strayed to where she lived After this
occurrence did not allow myself TO
think of my visit except when met the
supposed Miss Towner each morning
on my way down town.
She seemed to grow more beautiful
each time saw her. Saturday morn
ing as she passed me a handkerchief
fell from her jacket pocket, She did
not notice anything had dropped. |
stopped and picked up the handker-
chief to return it to its owner. As |
handed tito her she raised her beautiful
eyes and smiled with ineffable sweet
ness as she said: MANY thanks" In a
moment it was over. but how de-
lightful to have heard her voice it GER
tainly did justice to her face and figure
Sunday was lovely autumn dav. ]
started early and walked slowly to-
ward Concord avenue. AS | walked up
the steps | saw Mr.. Towner sitting
reading at the front window, but he did
not see me. rang the bell. A white
capped and aproned maid opened the
door she u>hcred me into the broad
hall, taking my hat and cane. and
(having asked my name) drew back
the heavy red porteres and announced
.'Mr. Smartchild." On hearing nv
name Mr.. Towncr looked up confused.
ly from his book In a minute he
seemed to realize who ! was and
stepped forward with a pleasant good
day. After this greeting l looked
around the room expecting to see other
persons. but Mr.. Towner and | were it,
only occupants. Mr.. Towncr said
nothing about the family being absent.
and did rot feel at liberty to open the
menced talking about my uncle. In
the pauses in the conversation |
glanced at clock saw standing on
the mantel; it said quarter-past two.
Mr.. Towner had invited me to dinner
at two. but he made no apology fol
either being late or for the non-ap-
pearance of the family. Finally about
half past two l heard several persons
come up the front Steps and enter the
hall. and ar,ong whom l recognized
the lovely grl | had met so often.
None of them came into the parlor. but
started quicklyup stairs. 1t seemed an
endless tine before l again heard steps
on the stairs; then the lovely appari-
ton of my unknown friend appeared
between the pOrticres. She looked like
an old picture in her light dress a. she
stood framed in by the dark-rcd of the
curtains. Mr. Towner was so inter
ested in our conversation that he did
not look up until re saw my eyes
turned toward the door; then he rose
quickly and going forward took the
girls hand and led her toward me,
saying: MIR Smartchild, take great
pleasure in Introducing you to my
wife"
iIoH CoSt ilt IItttN
penny, but paid the bill without de-
mur. ThirnIo Tribune
The Use of natural gas is increasing
in the East. and already plays most
important part in the system of lighting
and heating. 1t is said by a New York
newspaper that by New Years nearly
One-half of the dwellings in tho city of
Rochester will Use it for domestic pur-
poses. The same paper says that natural
gas was lately introduced into Beaver
Falls. beng used as fuel by steel
manufactory. whose annual expense for
fuel has hitherto been some $4,000.
Last month several new veins were
struck near Pittsburgh. adding consid-
erably to the supply which that city al
ready possesses
1t is asserted that the supply and use
of natural gas by the city of Pittsburgh
=. IL =.