Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-11-05

ono ever sees him spend cent He
must soak it away in bank"
''Hasn't he any relatives?"
'.He never spoke of any, and he
lives alone. Witherspoon, who lodges
where he does. Says no one ever comes
to see him."
"He certainly doesn't spend money
on clothes"
"No; and he never drinks at his
own expense"
'.He is probably leading a double
life," said the exchange editor, jes-
tingly, as he plunged his scissors into
a Western paper to cut out poem by
James Whitcomb Riley.
Without making many acquaint-
ances, "Whiskers," by reason OF his
hirsute 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, a certain printer
who was ''setting up clothing
house advertisement, could not re-
sist the temptation to give labial
imitation of the blowing of wind.
The bygone joke concerning whiskers
and the wind was then current, and
a score of compositors took up the
whistle, so that all yarities of breeze
were soon being simulated simulta-
neously. "Whiskers" colored slightly,
but, save a dignified Strengthening of
his shoulders, he showed no other
sigh that he was conscious of the
rude allusion to his copious beard.
"Whiskers'' chose Tuesday for his
day Off 1t was on certain Tuesday
evening that one of the reporters came
into the exchange editors room and
casually Remarked:
II saw your anti-shaving friend,
whe sits at that desk, riding out to
the suburbs on a car today. He was
all brushed up and carried bouquet
OF roses"
''That settles it, cried the editorial
writer to the exchange editor, with
mock jubilation. 'There can be no
doubt the old man was leading
double life. The bouquet means a
woman in the case"
''And his money goes for flowers
and presents" added the exchange
editor.
"Some 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 whiskers make him look so old.
One can easily detect sentimental
vein in his composition.
''That accounts for his fits of alb
straction, too So he's found favor
in some fair ones eyes. I wonder
what she's like!"
"Young and pretty, I'll bet,' said
the exchange editor. "He's impressed
her by his dignified aspect. No doubt
she thinks he's nothing less than an
editor-in-chief."
The next day ssWhiskers" was tao
turn. as his Office associates now re-
called that he was wont to be after
'shis day Off" Doubtless his thoughts
dwelJ 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 off, to take a car for the SUBJ
urbs, and to have bouquet in his
hand and package under his arm.
The theory originated by the edi-
torial writer had general acceptance.
1t was passed from man to man in the
office.
sHave you heard about the queer
old duck with the whiskers, who
writes in the exchange room? He's
engaged to young and pretty girl
and eats at Is cent soup
shops so that he can buy her flowers
and wine and things"
"What! Old Whiskers in love!
That's good ene!"
One day, while Whiskers' pen was
busily gliding acoss his paper, the ex-
change editor broke the silence by
asking him, in careleSs;tone:
How was she yesterday, Mr.. Croy-
DOM"
Whiskers looked up quickly, an ex-
preston of almost painful.surprise on
his face.
"Who?" he Inquired.
"Ah, you thought because you
didn't tell us it wouldn't out. But
you've been caught. I mean the lady
to whom you take roses every week,
Of course"
Whiskers simply stared ct the ex-
change editor, as if quite bewildered.
"Oh, pardon me-" said the ex-
change editor, somewhat abashed.
II didn't mean Joseffend you. Ones
affairs Of the heart are sacred, I |
know. But we all guy each other
about each others amours here.
We're hardened to that sort Of pleas
antrieS."
A look of ENLIGHTENMENT. blush,
leep sigh, and an '4Oh, Pm not Of
tended" were the only manifestations
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