The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-15

that door, madam, leads TO the sleeping
apartment of the master and mistress of
the house you have just been inspecting.
would prefer not TO disturb them You
see, the gentleman is melancholy dys-
peptic-" II | could only have thrown
my boot at the fellow
1.-THE master and mistress OF the house?'
sob, Auntie, what have you donc?"
"But | thought il was u model house,
built merely for the inspection of the gem
eral public. | shall never forgive myself
for this intrusion-never in the world"
LET us go at once, Auntie. II is the
only reparation we can make" The
young lady was walking swiftly toward
the hall.
"Do not be so distressed, ladies, beg
you not to imagine there is the slightest
thing for us TO have visitors at all hours Of
the night Indeed, ] am not sure but
there are more during the night than"
There is no knowing of how many more
lies Tom might have been guilty, had the
young lady not stopped short in her pre-
cipitous fight.
"Mr. Holbrooke!"
AT your service, Miss Leland, with
genial laugh so infectious that all joined
in, even to the maiden aunt. Forgetting
his intention to conceal his identity in his
anxiety 10 relieve their humiliation, Tom
hadturned and faced them in the glare of
the gaslight, in all the majesty of his six
MISUNDERSTANDING. II was very
different thing from meeting in full dress
ut an evening reception, and swinging
around Il ballroom TO an air of Won
Weber =. However, from my knowledge
OF Toms physique | am inclined TO think
he was not u bad looking fellow, even
when prowling about pOZzuolana.housc
ut midnight in the role Of cicoronc 10 u
party OF tourists, with his trousers drawn
ON over ruillcd night shirt, his sus-
pcnders hanging down his back, and big
hole in the heel OF his stocking. And Mrs.
Tom Holhrookc indorscs my opinion.
Somewhat TO our surprise Tom remained
with us the entire month, without dcmur
or protest, although each succeeding
day initiated him more fully into the eN-
pelicnccs of our painful scryitudc. What
ever his secret sensations, he yelled them
with the outward serenity of philosopher
save ON one occasion, when hc came in
white TO the lips, after the departure OF
party OF English tourists.
They actually offered 10 tip mc-thc
snobs." lac indignantly announced.
"Why Tom, said Elizabeth swcctly,
'you should have taken the money and
dropped IL in the poor-boX at church. !
always do. "
lie looked at her with curious CLINT
in his eye, but said nothing.
must confess ! could not tell what 10
make Of Tom in those DAYS. lie came and
went at all hours OF the day and saw Eliz-
abcth woarily pursuing the trcadmill she
had walked for 80 many months, but
made no comment lie witnessed fresh
dcprdatiuns made on our small stock Of
household goods, saw the baby deprived
ol her last new rattle and pair Of new
shoes, heard Elizabeth dcplor the loss NJ
her scissors, aud observed me hunt in vain
for my paper knife, his countcnancc wear
ing an expression Of calm indifference the
while.
When hc arose ut o'clock one morn
ing shortly bcinr the conclusion Of his
visit, Ia help me cNtinguish iic that
some yandnl had kindlcd beneath our
bedroom window in the hope of proving
the material of the window combustiblc,
~ ] watched him turn stream Of water
from the garden hose upon the blazing
pile IT tarrcd boards, the same impcnctm-
blc calm on his face, ! could not rcprcss u
singing exclamation.
Tom llolhrnokc, one would think YOU
We're born and brought up In pozuolana
hOuc,'
lie viewed me with the same curious
CLINT in his eye ! had noticed when lac
looked at Elizabeth, and for moment
seemed about 10 speak, hut checked him
self before the words left his lips. and
when hc took leave of MS u day or two
later be- was moved by the same singular
impulse, followed 10y u similar reserve.
Elizabeth and ! were forced 10 resume
our deliberations ~ TO what step W. should
take 10 free Ourselves from the distressing
incubus We had assumed II was really u
very material question, for our manner of
life, in spite Of our drawbacks, insured M
many comforts Ut which We should other
wise he deprived. and, ~ | have already
said, We wcc putting by n snug little sum
for rainy day. hut the constant worn.
mcnls Of her position were wearing out
my little wiic's strength and paicncci aud
even the baby was growing ircliul and
pccyish.
As u solution Of our monetary problem
clnss II pupils IN music until W. could see
our way 10 greater prosperity. As may
readily he imagined, ] ncgaiiycd this pro-
position.
On the firSt day Of July. before We had
reached any decision, Elizabeth and were
surprised by u summons a. small gath.
cring nj the house OF Toms partner, in. eel
cbration Of Toms engagement 10 u Miss
Bessie Leland young Boston lady Who
was spending the summer ON the coast
preliminary To their approaching nupials
Il may be- remarked parcnthciically that
Tom always does things In hurry.
We found quite little company assem-
| blcd. UPON conclusion Of the modest
banquet several toasts were proposed, and
met with ready responses. ] Halter my
ali that made very rpditablc effort IN
the shape Of a ilowcry tribute a. the pros.
pccliyc bride, hut then one must allow
that the cctiaccd little woman consti-
tuicd a very inspiringsubjcct.
Toms partner rose Ia the sentiment,
"Thc age of po1uolana long may II flor.
ish, " and gave very interesting account
Of the discovery Of the sand In the lIcrkc-
ley hills, aud lis introduction ~ building
material in San Francisco. lie described
the sccpticism with which the cement was
frst greeted, the tests 90 which II had been
subjected, and IL final triumph over all
| other building materials, announcing that
their success had exceeded their most SIN.
guino expectations. lie concluded by say.
ing that there wew now ~ many poauO.
lana houses In process Of construction
in various parts Of the city, that i was no
longer necessary 10 keep the model house
on exhibition, and that he wished u
extend the thanks Of the firm 20 their
| IrinnI hnrn nnI Lila naIimnhln M-ilr