The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-08-27
LIFE IN A FLAT.


Demonstrations.
When the Harrisons decided to move
from their pretty, suburban-loOkine
cottage in the upper part Of the city
into flat downtown, because it would
be nearer to Mr. Harrison's business,
several reasons why they should moi
have decided were Immediately dis
covered. Mrs. Harrison was certain
that there were no ministers down
town who could compare with Doctor
Barron, and that she couldn't enjoy
them If there were. Ollie, the elder
daughter, was afraid that Charley Mat
son, who lived around the corner,
could not continue to call five evenings
in week. as was his present habit;
and her father was fearful that the
rather small parlor of their new abode
would not take the place of their pleas
ant little porch for smoking and ru-
minating on warm spring evenings.
But Jessie. who was barely out of
school. was eagerly enthusiastic con-
corning the fiat. She was positive that
of all the charming places to live. a
fiat must be the most charming; and
she could hardly wait to get into one.
Had it not been for Jessie's contagious
good spirits, the Harrisons would have
been inclined. at the end of their first
week of 1at-lifc, to move back uptown
without further ado.
They had begun to despair of ever
becoming accustomed to flat. Mr..
Harrison, being forgctful. was freshly
startled every evening when the door
opened by apparent magic in response
to his ring. But Jessie. by repeated
explanations. convinced him that, so
far from being o spiritual manifesto
ton, it was the direct result of small
brass handle attached to the kitchen
wall. Ollie. whose hour of rising was
not of the earliest, was disturbed every
morning by the whistle of the janitor
up the dumb-waiter shaft, and the con-
sequcnt sending down of ashes on the
part of the girl. But Jessie grew elo-
qucnt over the extreme desirability of
this arrangement Mrs. Harrison,
whose tastes were quiet, was annoyed
at meeting people IN the hall and
hearing them on the stairs. But Jessie
defended these sights and sounds as
being remarkably pleasant and socia-
bic. She herself, however, had one
cause of disturbance. She drew Ollie
close to the hall door. one morning.
with her finger raised.
"Therc-listen!" she whispered ats
the gentleman on the floor above. It's
just the same every morning"
A quick step was coming down stairs.
At their foot it paused, while fcmi-
nine voice called down sweetly:
Goodbye, Willy. BE home carly
be sure"
And a manly voice responded cheer
fully.
III be on hand. Good-bye!' and
the hall door closed upon the speaker.
''rhcy go through with all that every
day" said Jessie, disgustedly. "And
once or twice I've heard her call him
dear yes, actually! If there's any
thing l abhOr. it's the public demon
stration of young married couples!"
she concluded with a shuddcr. She
stepped to the window hastily, closed
the blinds and pcepcd through the
shutters.
YES, he doesn't look more than
twenty-four, she announced. They
probably haven't been married long.
But that's no eNcuse-not the slightest.
Willy for that immense thingr' she
added scOrnfully, as she watched the
tall figure to the corner.
That afternoon Jessie went uptown
to call on several of ''thc girls" and
returned at four, having had the best
kind of a time. She had gone first to
Mamie Dukes, and Mamie had gone
over to Cora Bradlcy's with her, and
they had all gone on to Myra Sellwin's,
where Jessie had entertained them
with a vivid description of the flat, and
amused them with a slightly exagger-
ated account of the doings of the amor
ous couple on the second floor. She
had, in fact. represented Mr.. Sander
was the name in the |
slit over the letter bOx-as being in the |
habit of shouting "Bye-bye. Tootsey
Wootscy." up the stairs as he departed,
md receiving the mystic response of
'Nicy piccy-oozy booty goozy." But
he statement had not been fully cred.
tied.
She was smiling over the recollection
If her afternoons jollity as she stood in
he vcstibule waiting the response to
,er ring. Whether the gentleman on
he second floor. who assembled the
teps at the moment, regarded her
nusing half smile was intended in
ONE degree for himself, or whether he
vas charmed out of all self-restraint by
'essie's fresh, young face and her pref
y. fall costume, was not clear; but he
fitted his hat hesitatingly. The motion
vas very slight and most respectful.
mt Jessie raised her chin and ror,rdod