Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-11-04

s.e>.'' 'Csss~
"llasn't he any rclatives?"
''tic never spoke of any. and he
lives alone. Withcrspoon, who lodges
where he does, Says no one evcrcomes
to see him."
''IIc certainly doesn't spend money
OH Clothes"
$40: and he never drinks at his
own expense.
''llc is probably leading double
lifc," said the exchange editor, jos
tingly, as he plunged his scissors into
james Whitcomb Riley.
, Without making many acluaint-
ances, "Whiskcrs," by reason of his
hirsutc popularity, became known
throughout the building, from the
business office on the ground floor to
the composing room on the top
When he went into the latter one
day and passed down the long aisle
between the rows of cases and type
setting machines with a corrected
proof in his hand, IL certain printer
who was ''sctting up a clothing
house advertisement, could not re-
si>t the temptation to give labial
imitation of the blowing of wind.
The bygGnc joke concerning whisllcrs
and the wind was then current, and
u score OF comDoSitorS took up the
whistle, so that all varities of breeze
were soon being simulated simulta-
nconsly. "Whiskcrs" colorcd slightly,
but, save Il digniiicd strengthening of
his shoulders, he showed no other
sigh that he was conscious of the
nude al!uSion to his copious beard.
"Whi>kcrsn chose Tuesday for his
day oil. 1t was Oh a certain Tuesday
evening that one of the reporters came
into TIE exchange EDITORS room and
casually remarked:
ii saw your anti-shaving friend,
who sits ut that desk, riding out to
the suburbs on IL car to-day. He was
all brushed up and carried IL bouquet
of roses.
That settles it. cried the editorial
writer TO the exchange editor, with
mock juhilation. "Thcrc can he no
doubt the old man was leading. II
double life. Tho bouquet means IL
woman in the case"
"And his money goes for flowers
and presents" added the exchange
editor.
'.Somc of it, of course" went on
the editorial writer, land the rest
he's saving to get married on. Who'd
have thought it, at mis- age
why. he's not over 40. It's only
his whiskcrs make him look so old.
One can easily detect sentimental
! vein i'm his composition"
That accounts for his fits of alb
straction, too. So he's found favor
in some fair ones eyes. / wonder
what she's like"
"l-oung and pretty, Fll bct," said
the exchange editor. "IIe's e'sinlpresscd
her by his digniticd aspect. No doubt
she thinks he's nothing less than an
editor-in-chict."
! The next day "Whiskcrs" was tac-
iturn. rs his Office associates now re-
called that he was won't tn bc after
'his day o!f." Doubtless his thoughts
dwclt upon his visit To his divinity.
He did not respond to their efforts to
involve him in conversation.
He was observed upon his next
day orr to take car for the sub
urls, and to have a bouquet in his
hand and a package under his arm.
The theory originated hy the edi-
torial writer had general acceptance.
1t was passed from man toman in the
Office.
"lIavc you heard about the queer
, i.,lI is.l. la,
writes in the exchange room? He's
engaged to Il young and pretty girl
uptown. and eats at Is cent soup
shops 30 that he can buy her flowers
and wine and things
What. Old Whiskcrs in love.
That's a good onc..' I
One day. while Whiskers' pen was
busily gliding acoss his paper. the en-
change editor broke the silence b,
asking him, in Il careless tone:
elbow was she yesterday, Mr. Croy-
DOM"
WhislSers looked UP quickly, an cx-
preston OF almost painful surprise on
. his face.
.sWho?" he inquired.
"Ah. you thought because YOU
,, didn't tell us it wouldn't out. i;ll,
you've been caught. mean the lad,
To whom YOU take roses every week.
of course"
Whiskcrs simply stared at the ex
change editor, us if quite bcwildered
"Oh, pardon me- said the cx
change editor, somewhat abashcd
II didn't mean to offend you. One.
! affairs of the heart are sacred.
. know but we all guy each either
: about each others ariiours here
We're hardened to that sort of pleas
Y antrics.''
: \ look of cnlightmcnt. blush, /;
deep sigh, and an s.Oh. I'm not of
, Tended" were the only manifestation,
+ made by WhisEcrs after the cXchang,
editors apology.
, 1T was inferred from his manne
: that he did MT wish to make conf
i dcnccs or receive jcsts about his low
4 affairs.
f \ time came when Whiskers seemed
r to have something on his mind. No
y content with one days vacation cacl