The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-06-20

This is awful I amt a wOodpecker,
nor yet a holler beech-tree, but if this
is going to keep on, there's no know
ing whether l mightn't fancy 1 was
either or both
He looked at Jacob for inspiration, and
Jacob looked at him. as much as to
say: Why don't you see who it is? 1t
might be the milk or the cats meat"
Tap-tap-tap.
Perhaps I'd better open the door half
an inch or so. and say I'm out, and no
knowing when I'll be back, or she'll be
rousing the whole street"
Tiptoeing across the floor he proceed
ed, with infinite PRECAUTIONARY his
heart in his mOuth-tO open the door
the least crack in the world
Not at home he cried TREMENDOUSLY
through the aperture, and was about To
slam and rebOlt it when the words
'Lor', Mr.. Yabsley, sir" in a familiar
and eXpOstulatOry voice. caused him 10
reconsider his intention-his heart at
the same time resuming its normal po-
sitiOn with a flop of relief.
Why, Mrs. Wardle, if 1 hadn't clean
forgot all about YOU"
1t was the woman, previously referred
to, who washed and irOned' him. and
generally came in on a Saturday after
noon to tidy him up for Sunday.
II dunno what's come 10 my head he
added. opening the door just wide enough
for her to squeeze through; seems like
as though it'd been overwoUnd." Then
with an air Of affected Indifference: Il
spose you didn't happen to see any one
hanging about outsider"
But Mrs. Wardle hadn't noticed no
body
Next day was Sunday. Mr.. Yabsley
was a little doubtful as TO the safety of
church-going; but finally decided to risk
it. and would have enjoyed the services
but for the unusual attentiveness and
urbanity Of the pew-Opener who twice
came to ask whether he felt any draught
from the ventilator, and generally smiled
upon him in a way that caused him to
recOllect, with nervous shudder, that,
though she was a pew-Opener by profess
fessiOn. she was a widow. in private life.
Was 1t possible that she had any ink
ling OF what had happened? Mr.. Yabs-
ley chewed the cud Of the reflection dur
ing sermon time, and very unpalatable
he found it,
Monday morning came. The boy was
astonishingly punctual, being half an
hour late to the minute
About IL o'clock Mr.. Yabsley. who was
busting some of the articles in the win
dow. was aware of a sort of eclipse, as
though some dark, Opaque body had in
! tervened between him and the sun.
! Looking up, he was almost paralyzed at
the sight of a female in black with her
! nose pressed against the glass. attentive
ly regarding him As soon as she caught
| his eye she smiled and nodded.
The tobacconist's jaw dropped and
! there was a wild, hunted look about
! him that had no effect upon the lady
] outside beyond moving her from the win
/ dow to the door. Entering the shop she
/ was just in time to catch sight of her
/ prey disappearing through the opposite
/ door, which he secured behind him and
! then sat down 10 think.
/ At first he ransacked his brain hope
patiently on the counter.
! Then a means of escape so simple that
/ he was amazed it had never before sug-
! .gested itself, rose up before his mind.
| why not say I'm suited?"
AT the same moment there came a tap
] at the door
who's there?" demanded Mr.. Yabs-
! ley
please, sir, it's me-" was the answer
| in the tones of Thomas.
He was a lanky, growing boy and it
was surprising what narrow space he
/ managed to squeeze through.
There's lady wants to see yer most
! perticlIler." he remarked with back
I ward motion of the thumb. Come on
/ approval, that is what she says, and l
wants to know whether I'm to skeer her
! off or what"
Thomas said his master, ''of course
| you posted that letter on Saturday,"
"Oh lawk"
! The delinquent fumbled for a moment
in q trOuser pocket, prior TO producing
the letter in an extremely dirty and much
! crumpled condition, with a piece of toffee
still adhering to it.
Il been and clean forgot all about it,
Thomas, with the calmness Of des-
n pair, you've been the ruin of me,
/ shouldn't wonder. However, you can
tell the lady I'm much obliged, but I'm
! suited
Thomas went accordingly. and Mr.
( Yabsley awaited the result with his eaI
TO the keyhole. He heard the sound OF
voices, one rather high and shrll, with
an accent of determination that BODIED ill
Then ThOmass knuckles applied for re-
admission, and he was allowed to enter
with the same precautions as before.
WELL" anXiously, what did she say?'
"She says you may be suited but she
amt, and she insists on pussonal inter
VOC"
"Oh, she does. does she. Very well
then, Thomas, you can look after the
shop. I'm going to bed"
All the rest of the morning there were
constant bulletins passing between the
shop and the chamber over it.
"Ain't she gone yet Thomas?' Mr.
Yabsley raised his head from the pillow
to inquire for about the ninth time.
mot her, and what's more 1 come Il
tell yer as there's a couple more come by
carriers cart. 1 told EN- you was in bed
but they said as they reckoned they'C
wait till you got up
Thomas" cried the tobacconist 'Tv,
been a good master to you, haven't II"
II don't say you amt
VERY we'll then; go down stairs and tel
'em not to be alarmed, but you don't lik,
the looks of me, and, judging by the spots
you're afraid it's either measles or small
poX Anyhow, say I'll be down direckly
and I hope they won't think of going
without seeing me-"
| few minutes later the sound of tn,
shop door banging violently was followed
by that Of retreating footsteps and gradu
| ally receding voices.
The boy came grinning to report tina
| the charm had worked.
Thomas" said the tobacconist, sink
ing back exhausted, you can put III
the shutters, and if any one else comes
say I'm dead"
At the end of half an hour or so an
other tap at the door reused him from
the state of semi-uncOnsciousnes int,
which he was sinking. THAT you bacl
again, Thomas? What ever's up nowr
ut isn't Thomas, it's me, Mrs. Wardle
come to see if 1 couldn't do anything
for you, and I've brought a little bee
tea"
The beef tea was good. Mr.. Yabsle!
sat up and disposed Of it with relish
After which Mrs. Wardle rearranged nj
pillows and tidied up.
She was a comfortable, natty littl
woman, Woodworking, too, and homes
as the day, with a brisk sort of wa.
about her that did you good. 1t did MI
Yabsley good.
Having nut everything straight an,