The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-09-28
AN ELECTRIC BOARDER.
The Directors Way OF Advertising
His Business.

The Directors Way Of Advertising
His Business.
Mrs. Rubicon was sitting up for .
boarder-the widow who had the back
parlor.
1t was getting late, and Mrs. Rubi-
con was repenting her amiability in a
series of mods.
''Why couldn't the woman let herself
in with latch key. like other folks?"
and she trotted to the window to peep
through the blinds.
She had lifted the window softly, and
applied her eyes to the apertures be-
tween the Stats Of the green shutters,
when a sudden flash almost blinded
her. She started back.
''Why, it must be lightning" she
said, land l haven't heard the thur
der"
Then the street door bell rang vio-
lently, and she hurried to the door, and
found upon the steps, not the party
going lady as she had expected, but q
slim gentleman in black, who instantly
stepped into the hall.
"You have a vacant room, ma'am?"
he said. at is very late, but 1 have
travelled long distance, and came
directly here"
Don't apologize" said Mrs. Rubi-
con. 81 often have travellers come in
later than this. 1t is very fortunate l
happened to be up. Yes, have va
cant room. and it is very nice one. 1
Use only the best butter, and my mat
tresses and pillows will all bear in
spection. It's the back room on the
second floor. Oh!''
The last explanation was made as
Mrs. Rubicon saw the gentleman's
scarf-pin-which was a skull made of
ivory-roll its eyes and chatter its full
set of teeth, with what seemed a flash
of diamonds or starlight or lightning,
she was not sure which.
Don't be alarmed" said the pros
pective boarder. 1T was my pin that
made you scream. It's only electric
ity."
I'm sure it's most unique pin,"
said poor little Mrs. Rubicon, anxious
not to offend a possible fifteen dollars
week" Il am SO silly and nervous I
start at any thing"
II assure you you are not the only
person this pin startles, ~ said the stran-
ger. 81 have seen ladies faint when
they looked at it for the first time. I'll
take the room. I've come to stay.
You'll want to know something about
me, too;" and he handed her card, on
which was engraved: Electric Society.
7. Clawson, Director" I'm Clawson,
he added.
dear me! rery satisfactory, indeed!"
mur.nured Mrs. Rubicon, on whom the
words director" and electric" had
made an immense impression. Then
she uttered another ''oh," for the card
had certainly pricked her finger
sharply.
Electricity" said the new boarder.
"T'm stepped in it. I've known people
to be knocked down when l simply
handed them some little object to look
at, or the butter at table,
Dear me-" said little Mrs. Rubicon
again. Il suppose, being director,
you handle it so much that you absorb
it"
The new boarder nodded and followed
her upstairs.
He was singular-looking man, with
hollow eyes and a sallow skin, lantern
jaws, if ever a man had them, and q
mouth that was merely thin pink line.
Now and then his eyes twinkled as
those in the head of his skull scarf-pin
did-the effect Of electricity, perhaps,
for all Mrs. Rubicon knew.
She conducted him to the room at
once The stranger smiled upon her,
made his scarf-pin grin, and said:
goodnight"
The next minute she was seated on
the upper step of her staircase.
''What an imprudent thing I have
done! How do know he's not burg
lar?" she said to herself. Then she
glanced at the card.
"A director of electricity must be .
responsible man." she decided.
When person is weary, how soon
sleep comes. and how heavy it is. 1t
was morning, so Mrs. Rubicon thought,
in no time, and she was presiding at
the breakfast table, as usual. All
the boarders were seated, as Mr.. Claw
son entered, and she arose to introduce
him.
Mr.. Clawson, ladies and gentlemen"
she said, MRS. Brown, Mr.. Brown.
Miss Penn, Mrs. Smith," and so on
through the long table full.
As each name was uttered, Mr.. Claw
son advanced toward that individual
and shook hands with him. In each
case the ceremony produced the same
effect. 4
The individual uttered shrek and
rubbed his hands violently.
"A regular shock of electricity" said
Mr.. Brown. My fingers Jingle. Shak-
ing hands with you. sir, is like touch
ing an electric eel"
That" said the gentleman, '.has
been popularity of mine from a
child
He seated himself, and now all sorts
of phenomena happened. The spoons
danced. The plated coffee-pot trotted
about the table, stopping al each empty
cup. and filling it with the fragrant
beverage. The bottles danced quad