Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1891-07-30

1hoto fOU Joil w IL dObl N6NGr
even saw her hand to know that her
story was truep
But I did. II was bad burn"
And she gave you her street and
nuDiber?'
"Yes.
"And you went there to see if it was
all right?"
No; took her word for it,"
Took her word Well, you are o
soft mash! I'll bet 800 to cent that
she was the biggest hind OF fraud /
She's probably grinning now as she
thinks how nicely she soft-soaped you'll"
think she was deserving of what |
did for her." quietly replied Mrs.
Bowser
"Oh, yes---of counsel Mrs. Bowser
let me give you u little advice. You
were born in the country and"--
Weren't you?"
No, ma'aml'
Weren't You born exactly one mile
east Of Podunk?"
Mol That is to say, l was born
there, but | was reared"-
I'm Podunk itself u hamlet OF thir-
teen houses and cider millln
Mrs. Bowser," he Continued, after q
moment, crossing his hands under his
coat-tails and balancing himself heel
and toe. Il want to define my position
an this matter. You were born and
brought up in the country. You have
never had chance to study human ma
ture as | have. The face is the index
of the average mind, but you haven't
learned to read facial expression"
Have you?' she asked, as he halted
for breath.
Certainly. Indeed, it came natural
to me. | can detect an unworthy per-
son at "a glance. / can almost tell what
he is thinking of. From the mere
glance | got at that woman's face L
would wager my shoes against q tooth
pick that she is chronic beggar and o
wretched fraud"
i can't believe it," replied Mrs. Bow
ser.
Indeed What you can or cannot
believe is of very little Importance to a
nation of G0,000,000 people, Mrs. Bow
ser. ] say she is unworthy, and that
settles it. However, ] do not blame you
so very much, as she probably told q
very plausible story, but let this
be the last time. ! am just as charitable
MS the next man, and perhaps more so,
but | want to know who I'm giving to. :"
II can't help but believe she was Just
what she represented herself" protested
Mrs. Bowser.
That matter was definitely settled,
Mrs. Bowser definitely settled, under
stand when | declared her unworthy.
/ will SOME day give you some instruc-
tons rs to reading human nature, but
until do give TO no more mendicants.
You simply encourage fraud, vice,
ignorance and crime. There's no telling
but what your action in this case will
land that woman behind prison bars to-
morrow"
Il don't see how it could" she re-
piled.
Probably not. There's great many
things you haven't seen. can't see, and
never will see, Mrs. Bowser. When
am away give all such people the cold
shoulder; when ! am home refer them
to me. In that way no mistakes can
possibly arise"
About s o'clock that evening the gate
bell rang, and pretty soon the cook came
in and reported that there was man
outside who wanted money to pay for q
nights lodging.
All! Got the house down fine,
haven't they ?" sarcastically exclaimed
MIR. Bowser, who was reading his news
paper.
Tell him we have nothing to give"
said Mrs. Bowser to the cook.
Tell him nothing of the kind al
ded Mr.. Bowser. On j.hrsn chance
send him right jaser, to take first les
for yop-ading human nature. See how
quick will turn him wrong side out!
Move that chair out for him to sit down
on"
A moment later the man was shown
in. He was tough looking specimen
of manhood, and looked as il he had
tramped twice around the globe. There
was rum in his breath and shavings in
his hair, and had he even appeared by
daylight Mrs. Bowser would have shut
the door on his toes.
"Well. sir?" sharply queried Mr..
Bowser.
ltSd cdnO vi iitfhft diccunS, DAT ahA
can't work. whined the man.
s"Run out your tongue
1t appeared and vanished.
4Let me feel your pulseP
He extended his hand.
"My man." said Mr. Bowser, you
have told me the truth. Your heart is
very much affected. / also see by your
face that you are an honest, truthful
man. Here's dollar for you. Good
night.
"And you call him deserving?" gasped
Mrs. Bowser. after the tramp had slid
out with an expression Of the greatest
amazemont on his face.
Certainly do. Saw it the instant
he entered the room. It's just as he
says about his heart, and / ought to
have given him twice what did"
III he isn't a tramp and fraud then
1 don't know one, firmly replied Mrs.
Bowsar
"Of course you don't, that's what I've
been trying TO tell you. I'd trust that
man TO carry my wallet all day. Little
down a. the heel, but thoroughly honest
and conscientious. Hello! What's
that ~