The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-07
Te Daily Eagle aednesdau alorima january 1891
4 BIT OF WALL PAPER.
SENTIMENTAL "REMINISCENCES or AN
OLD GENTLEMAN.

Memento-Ths Hard Hearted Boss.
A middle aged man who was gazing
absently out of window of an elevated
car the other day started suddenly and
Grained his neck 10 look at q big hole in
the wall of brick and brown stone front
by which the train was passing. Two
or three houses mad been torn down TO
make room for improvements, and the
hole was all that was left of them, save
a litter Of broken bricks in the cellar
and an acre or so of wall paper in many
designs upon the sides of the adjoining
building. The middle aged man got out
at the next station and walked back 10
the hole. He stood on the sidewalk
moment, looking first pinto the air and
then at the half dozen workmen who
were removing the last traces of the
wreck. Presently he appeared 10 pluck
up resolution. for he gravely descended
the rough plank gangway that led from
the street to the bottcm of the hole and
approached the boss of the gang.
Been tearing down these houses, 1
see, remarked the middle aged man by
way of introduction.
The boss stared.
I'VE amt been putin up any" he re-
sponded.
SEEKING A SOUVENIR
That's what l meant said the mid
die aged man imperturbably Would
you mind lending me a ladder for a
minute or two?'
What in thunder do you want to do
with it," exclaimed the boss.
Il want to climb up to that piece of
paper" responded the middle aged man,
pointing TO section of the wall that
was covered with a greenery yallery de-
sign. "You see" he continued, Il used
to live there"
There was a suspicion Of moisture in
the middle aged mans eyes and faint
smile on his lips as he said this, and he
looked up at the soiled patch of paper as
traveller might view the receding lights
of his native town. The boss was puz-
zled and suspicious, but after a moment
of silence, while he pretended to be
watching his men, he said:
you can take that one in the corner
if you'll move it yourself ana put it back
again"
The middle aged man bowed without
a word, took off his overcoat and laid it
gently upon pile of bricks, laid down
his cane, and proceeded, at the expense
of no little exertion, to place the ladder.
AS he began to climb up the boss ran
over and said threateningly:
See here, now; no shenanigin, You'll
only get broken bone or two if you fall
from that ladder"
The middle aged man laughed quietly.
do not fear" he answered; I'm not
going to commit suicide. I'll be down
all right in few minutes"
Nevertheless the boss detailed two of
his men to stand under the ladder TO
break the fall of the stranger should he
try to tempt death from the ladder top.
THE STORY.
The middle aged man climbed up, and
when he was at the top he could just
reach the lower edge of the greenery
gallery wall paper. He looked at it
earnestly, and then drew out a pocket
knife and cut off a small section that
contained the principal elements Of the
design. He put the scrap into his pocket,
descended, lugged the ladder back 10 its
proper position, put on his overcoat and
stepped once more before the boss.
Il am much obliged to YOU he said.
"You see, when was first married we
went 10 housekeeping here. We had
two unfinished, unfinished rooms up
two flights. We were desperately poor,
wife and /; just enough 20 get on with,
you know. The other people in the fat
were also poor. They couldn't afford to
paper their vacant rooms, and the land
lord wouldn't spent a cent. So we pa
pered them ourselves. We got the paper
best we could find Of the cheap grades
and wife made paste out of -four and
water. We fixed up brush out Of
towel. Then with chairs and table for
a stepladder we papered our-our apart
ments. | saw the same old paper AZ |
was riding by, and thought piece Of
it would lie a nice souvenir
The boss heart was touched
''And the wife, he said hesitstingly,
''is-er".-
ooh, no. exclaimed the middle aged
man, smiling cheertulIy. She's alive
and hearty. thank you. We live in Troy
now, and we've got three strapping chill
dren. Circumstance are better now, II
YOU please. Whenever come 70 town
make II a point % look at our first home.
and TODAY / saw that II was only empty
air. The wall paper was there. though.
and ] thought ia get piece 10 take
home 10 my wife as remembrance Of
our first Housekeeping. am verymuch
obliged 90 you
The middle aged man walked up the
gangplank with quiet dignity. and the
boss. still disturbed by the episode. re-
marked.
What a queer chap it Is, by thun-
derr'-New York Sun.
Giving Away soap.