Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-04-17

"orfice." lie had taken the ground rent
of the city lot, and had erected the "or6ce"
at his own cost. Three hundred and TWEEN
ty-seven dollars be had spent on that mod
est structure. No, he had not insured it.
And now the bakery had caught fire, and
his "orilce" was burned to the ground
and his best suit of street clothes with it
his only suit, as he owned after IA seconds
hesitation.
In ten minutes walk they arrived Mt
Xozo's house. 1t was quite the sort Of a
house that might have come out of a dollar
book, with n great deal of scroll work about
it, and with a 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 hmself-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. VS. seem to
kinder 20 with the astrology business,
somehow don't know why. There's Xad.
kel and Zoroaster and-oh, don't know
they're US or KS, most of 'em, and it
goes with the populace. don't no more
like humorng superstition than you would;
but a mans got to live, and the world amt
up to the science yet. Oh, that's you,
Mommer, is it2" he concluded rs the door
was opened by bright, buxom, rather
pretty woman. Mother aint to bed yet,
is she2 Say, Mommer, the orlice is burnt
DOWN.
"Oh, Popper" cried the poor woman;
"you don't say"
"True's ! live" said the astrologer, land
my street cloes too"
ttnI, DpnDprfD his u ia prip1 t'yhat aha
we do?'
81 don't know, mommer | don't know.
Wen 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. / amt caught your
name sir
"Brant," said the owner of the name.
"Brant. And a reel elegant gentleman
he is, mommcr. I'd "a froze stiff in my
science clo'es if it hadn't been for this coat
My sakes' he exclaimed reverently
never see the like. That'd keep "A corpse
warm. Shut the door, mommer, an take
the gentleman into the dining room. He
must he right cold himself. Is mother
| there"
Yes" said Zozo's wife, land so IS
! Mamie. You was 50 late we all got a
kinder worried, and Mamie come right
/ down in her mighty, Just before you come
/ in. Where's popperH sez she. Amt he
come IN yet to KISS me good night? lam Z
mornlh',' SEE she' Ana the orhce burned
| down. Oh, my, pepper! / thought our
troubles was at an end Come right IN,
Mr,-Mr.-l ain rightly got your name
but thank YOU Klndiy Tor looking after
/ pepper, ana II you haa an ldee now easy he
takes cold on ms chlst you know now
thankful am. Come rl3ht INTO the ann
room. Mother, TINS IS Mr. land, ana he
lent olnhnoha lhe loan OF ms coat 10 come
! nome Wlth' wa II IL AWFUL
WHAT'S that" croaked very old WON
an in the corner of the dining room. 1t
was small dining room, with small eX-
tension taple covered Win req danlash
cloth.
simmons oriice Is burned up, anu ms
best SUIT with H. explained Mrs sim
mons. Am II awful!
III a ledSment, sal" the ola lady sol
EMMY. She was depressing oid lady,
Ana yet she evidently was much revered
IN the lainlly' A 1our-yeHr-old chllu huh4
BACK III corner rGE'rdinH Her grand
mother win awe, but When her lathrt
entered she shipped up TO MS Nnce ana TOOK
ms kisses silently, put with sparkling
eyes.
"Only one we've got said Hozo, as he
sat down and took Der on his knee. Borr
under Mercury and Jup!ter-if that don I
mean that she'll be on topof the real estate
boom in this neighborhood amt no as
trologer. Yes, ma, he went on, address
ing the old woman, who gave no slightest
sign of interest, THE oriicH burned down
and | had to get home quick. Wouldn't
"a done for them Rapelyca street folks Il
sec me scuttn' off in my oriicc clo'cs.'
lie had shed 8rant huge overcoat, anc
ms Wlie WAS passing her hahu over MS INN
flannel SUIT
Law simmons" she sad, you re al
wet.
II Il Dry all right in these hannels,' sai'
Ho1o. Don you bother TO get no othc
clio eS."
lie had forgotten that he had toll Bran
that the suit III his Office was his only SUIT
Or perhaps ne wished TO spare his wife tn
humiliation OF such an admission.
I'm Gryin' oil first rate, he SAID cheer
fuliN "Man'e, pepper ain wet wher
you re scttln, Is he? No. wei, now