The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-15
A GARDEN HOSE.

II OAADL1N AODAs
Toward the end of beautiful June day
M. and Nine. Lemadie were seated in their
garden before the mansion house and tran
GULLY waiting for dinner NJ. Lemadie
was reading the newspaper, on which from
time to time he commented in a senatorial
voice, and Nine. Lemadie was deeply occu-
pied with her work.
'Where can Jeanne be, wonder" said
Nine. Lemadie, stretching her hand toward
her work basket and pulling thread of
scarlet silk out of it's Uttered skeins. "Your
daughter?" said NJ Lemadie. He turned
on his chair and looked out of the corner
of his eye toward the end of the garden.
.There she is" he said, 'nozzle in hand,
watering the flowers"
Scarcely had he spoken when there re-
sounded from the street sudden cry, &C.
companied by most formidable objurga-
ton, and these were instantly accompanied
by the furious circumstances of q second
voice.
what has happened" cried NJ. Le-
made. throwing down his journal. What
can be the matter"
He rose to investigate. A vigorous knock
at his gate, followed by other alarming
strokes, made him hasten his steps. Open
ing the gate he found himself confronted
by two gentlemen, one a young fellow Of
twenty-five, the other a stout and hearty
gray haired old boy, of opulent mien, who
drenched from head to foot, was vainly en-
deavoring to dry himself with his pocket
handkerchief.
The young man began to expostulate We
flf,oa Iii into tod
reproaches what did they mean by in
undating his uncle in this manner? And
on purpose-to amuse themselves-fuIl in
his face-and with a head of water like
that?"
NJ. Lemsdie stammered all kinds of ex-
cuses, hopping from one foot to an
other, stupidity turning his straw hat
about in his fingers, and in a duncelike
voice repeating, Pm sure it must be very
unpleasant-very unpleasantr'
Unpleasant? / should think SOP re-
piled the young man furiously, and dry as
bone himself, was twice as vehement as
his uncle. With growing irritation he
continued to apostrophize the poor wretch
planted motionless before him, speech
less and sorry figure, crying out that it
was impossible to conceive paying so little
on the street; that it was perfect insult;
returning with ever renewed anger 10 the
iniquity of this sudden and formidable
avalanche of water mo, no, uncle, re-
fuse to say nothing more about it," he
cried. Just look at yourselfi See what
a state you are inp'
In fact the uncle presented most Ia
mentable appearance. His collar was
1Y1t choy .eT
black satin cravat, all awry, was switched
up on his neck, his silk hat was scanned
with glistening scars, which bristled ND
here and there like monstrous caterpillars.
His waistcoat and trowsers stuck fast to
his stout and plentiful person, and from
the poor mans elbows, shoulders and hips
there was regular June shower.
Who now came stealing up, head down.
on timid, hesitating feet, but Jeanne, the
culprit. "Jeannet' In angry tones the IA
Their spoke: "Will you kindly look at this
gentleman. VIII you please to observe the
result of your carelessnessI'
She raised her eyes, the smallest suspi-
cion of smile lowering about the corners
of her lips, when all of sudden she stood
open mouthed, in stupefied immovabilty.
Her pretty face was so droll, all her little
x,
rumpled hair, her lowered linen garden
dress with its slim corsage, and her petit
coat pulled up, revealing two almost in
visible little feet in the most minute of slip
pers, that the victim and the impetuous
nephew of the victim were disarmed be-
fore word was spoken.
Pray, never mind mademoiselle," said
the uncle. Il beg you will not give the
m a hNy Je,ht -.
day that one has the honor of a douche
from so charming a hose carrier"
She blushed extremely, tried to speak
and then so irresistible desire to LAUGH
took possession of her that she turned and
fed for very fear of bursting out laughing.
Now, somewhat recovering his self pos
session. NJ Lemadie was at last able to ex-
press his regret in somewhat decent phrase
1t then occurred to his hitherto bewildered
mind that he might at least offer the IN
fortunate victim of the accident change
of clothes. and with such good humored
hospitality did he insist that his offer. az
first declined, was finally accepted Ten
minutes afterward Thibaut, Uncle Thi-
baut, completely dry, little squeezed to-
gether by his borrowed garments, but thor
oughly restored TO spirits by a couple of
glasses of Marsala, took leave of the Lee
made family.
Come, let us hurry" said he to his
nephew Your mother will be wonder
ing where we are"
They walked on without word for half
mile or so, when Thibaut broke ont
hrusquely: do you know what | think?
That is the sort of young lady should
like to sec you marry! Why, she's charm
Ing! And as for the Marsala, only good
father keeps such wine as that"
As Marcel did not reply, he went on: |
why don't You admit that she is charm |
ing, and that you would be a lucky dog.
eh, you rascal?'
Pooh, uncle, what enthusiasm Do Won /
ordinarily take fire in this manner when /
people sprinkle you from garden hose?
Or perhaps it is the wine OF this most ex /
cellent of fathers"
Ihlbaut was about TO reply, when on
turning the corner of the street they beheld /
Nine. f1lhol, the anxious mother, coming 1
toward them, and, as her brother-in-law .
had prophesied, wondering where they
were. Marcel related the ANNOYING Incl /
Dent, and the uncle completed the tale by 1
hVerring that for his own part he WAS far .
from considering it annoying. And in /
saying so be WAS pleased 20 wink at his /
nephew, without conserving TO make an I
explanation OF this mysterious action.
home they reached and sat down to ia 4
bic The bath had devalcraJ on aDDa.;.a