The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-10

house that might have come out of dollar
book, with great deal of scroll work about
it, and with tiny tower, adorned with
Enthusiastically adorned shingles. As they
stood on the porch-nothing would con-
tent Zozo but that his new friend should
come in and warm himself-Mr. Brant
looked at the door plate.
"Zozo's only my name in the science"
the astrologer explained. my real name
my born name-is Simmons. But took
Zozo for my business name. rs seem to
kinder go with the astrology business,
somehow don't know why. There's lad
kiel and Zoroaster and-oh, don't know
they're Us or KS most of 'em, and it
goes with the populace. I don't no more
like humoring superstition than you would;
but mans got to live, and the world amt
up to the science yet. Oh, that's you,
Mommer, is it?" he concluded as the door
was opened by bright, buxom, rather
pretty woman Mother amt to bed yet,
is she? Say, Mommer, the orfice is burnt
down."
'Oh, Popperl'' cried the poor woman;
you don't say!r'
''True's live," said the astrologer, "and
my street clo'es too"
ooh, Popper!" his wife cried, what shall
we do:"
81 don't know, momner; don't know.
Well have to think. Jes' let this here
gentleman in, though. I'd most "a froze
If he hadn't lent me the loan of his over
coat. My sakes," he broke out as he looked
at the garment in the light of the hall
lamp "but that cost money! Mommer,
this here's Mr. l amt caught your
name, sir"
"Brant," said the owner of the name.
"Brant. And reel elegant gentleman
he is, mommer.. I'd "a froze stiff in my
science clo'es if it hadn't been for this coat.
Ny sakes" he exclaimed reverently,
never see the like. That'd keep q corpse
warm Shut the door, mommer, an take
the gentleman into the dining room. He
must be right cold himself. Is mother
there?"
eyes," said Zozo's wife, "and 50 IS
Mamie. You was so late we all:got a
kinder worried, and Mamie come right
down in her mighty, just before you come
in. Where's popperT sez she. Amt he
come in yet to kiss me good night? "Tain't
| mornin',' SEE she. And the orfce burned
down. Oh, my, pepper! 1 thought ouI
| troubles was at an end. Come right in,
Mr-Mr-I amt rightly got your name
| but thank you kindly for looking after
pepper, and if you had an idee how easy he
| takes cold on his chist you'd know how
thankful / am. Come right into the dinin
room. Mother, this is Mr.. Band, and he
lent Simmons the loan of his coat to CONS
home with. Want it awful?"
whats that?" croaked a very old wom
an in the corner of the dining room. II
was small dining room, with small ex
tension table covered with red damasl
cloth.
Simmons orfice is burned up, and his
best suit with it," explained Mrs. Sim
mons. "Ain't it awfulr'
cts Judgment" said the old lady sol
EMMY She was a depressing old lady
And vet she evidently was much revereC
in the family A four-year-old child hune
back in corner, regarding her grand
mother with awe. But when her fathe
entered she slipped up to his knee and tool
his kisses silently, but with sparkling
eyes.
"Only one we've got" said Zozo as h
sat down and took her on his knee. Borl
under Mercury and Jupiter-if that don
mean that she'll be on topof the real estate
boom in this neighborhood amt no as
trologer. Yes, MAJ he went on, address
ing the old woman, who gave no slightes
sign of interest, "the Orfice burned down
and l had to get home quick. Wouldn'
"a done for them Rapelyea street folks t.
see me scuttin' off in my orfice clo'es."
He had shed Brants huge overcoat. anC
his wife was passing her hand over his THU
flannel suit.
Law, Simmons!' she said, you're al
wetr'
"Tll dry all right in these fannels," sai(
ZoZo. Don't you bother to get no othe
clo'es."
He had forgotten that he had told Bran
that the suit in his Office was his only suit
Or perhaps he wished to spare his wife tn
humiliation of such an admission.
Pm dryin' off first rate" he said cheer
fully; mamie, pepper amt wet wher
you're settin', is he? No. Well, now
mommer, you get out the whisky and Civ
Mr-Mr. Banda glass, with some hot wa
ter, and then he won't get no chill. Weir
all ro'bitionists here" he said, addressin
Brant, but we b'lieve in spirits for medic
inal use Yes. mother, you'd oughter'v
seen that place burn. Why, the flames wa
on me before know'd where l was, and
jis thought TO myself, thinks l, II thes
here people see me a-runnin' away from
fire, won't cast no horoscope in Rapelye
street after this. and Sell you, the way
got outer the back window and over th
back fence was a caution! There's you
whisky, sir; you'll excuse me if | don
take none myself. We amt in the habi
here"
Brant did not greatly wonder at thei
not being in the habit when he tasted tn
whisky. 1t was bad enough to wean
topper on; but be slipped it and made ovel
lures to the baby. And after while sh
showed an inclination to come and look a
his wonderful watch that struck the hou
when YOU told it to. Before long she wa
sitting on his knee. Her father was tel
ing the female members of the famil
about the fire, and she felt both sleepy an
shut out. She played with Brant's waite
for a while. and then fell asleep on h
breast. He held her tenderly, and listene
to the astrologer as he told his pitiful tai
over and over again, trying 10 fix the flrs
second when he had smelled the smoke.
He was full of the excitement of the a
fair: too full of the consciousness OF n
own achievement to realize the extent {
the disaster. But his wife suddenly bros
down, crying out:
"Oh. Simmons. where'll you get 500
build a new orfice"
Brant spoke up. but very softly, lest
might wake the baby, who was sleepin
with her head on his shoulder.
srll be happy TOTO advance the money,
he said.
Zozo looked at him almost sourly.
Il amt got no security to give you. Tn
is building society house. and there's a
the mortgage on il that it's worth.
couldn't do better" he concluded sulienl,
Brant had been poor enough himself
understand the quick suspicion OF the poo