The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-03-14

that instrument but this one little bl
OF bright metal which the thoughtfu.
designer had put just where it would
reflect stray bang.
"Your wife's coming home? Oh how
glad you must bel"
'I'll tell you what we ought to do
said the girl who never does anything
at all, and is always the busiest one il
the Office. 1--WE ought to go up to Mr.
Hays house, and put it in order fol
him. Then when his wife comes home
she'll say that he's the best house
keeper in the world"
"That isn't a bad idea" said the
travelin e man. "What do you say, old
Doublewindows? viii you invite us all
up to your house? If you will We'll
bring along a fiddler, and give you a
fne old racket to console you for the
sad event of Saturday"
The bookkeeper, who is the best Of
Husbands, did not deign to notice the
7eiing mans badinage; but the
se-cleaning idea appealed to him
A-ongly. He was really touched by
vis evidence of the esteem in which
nc was hclu ny Ills uSScShHVCo-
'aThen if you'll come Thursday even
Ing" said Mr.. Hay, I'm sure you'll be
very welcome"
All the young men and women con-
hected with the Office were invited.
After some discussion it was decided
No include the head Office boy, youth
Of seventeen, with pronounced sport
ing proclivities.
"He's a horrid little tough" said the
typewriter girl. but he's awful strong.
and guess we can make him do most
of the work"
The bookkeeper succeeded in getting
pway early Thursday afternoon, and
On his way home he made several pur-
chases for the entertainment of his
prospective guests. He lived in a
queer little two-story house in Brook
tyn. 1t had never looked meaner to
him than on this occasion. When he
had entered he was really shocked to
observe the fearful results of his own
housekeeping during the past three
weeks. He had not realized the con-
diaion of things before that moment.
81 can't let them see the place in this
condition" said he. Perhaps ! could
get a woman to come in for couple Of
hours, and straighten up a bit"
A silver dollar persuaded his washer
woman to undertake the task.
She did very well with it, and by
seven o'clock the house was in very
fair order.
By eight o'clock the guests began to
arrive. The girls Immediately made a
survey of the premises, and they COM
plimented Mr.. Hay highly. They said
that he was perfectly lovely house
keeper. But privately they comment
ed very unfavorably upon the quality
of the furniture, and such portions of
Mrs. Hays attire as she had not taken
with her upon her visit.
Barney, the ofhce-boy-in-chief, came
last. He was accompanied By young
man with short hair. and a nose slight
ly inclined to one side, as the result of
collision with some swiftly moving
object, probably four-ounce glove.
81 took ds liberty" said Barney, ''of
bringing me friend, Mr.. Swipes. He's
retired detective, an de bes' middle
weight in Gravesend; also barkeep'.
6wipsey, old boy, dis gentleman is Mr..
hay, our bookkeeper. an de fines ink
singer in de business"
"Glad ter meet yer, Mr.. Hay" said
Ehe retired detective. ANY friend O.
Barney's Is my friend. an that goes,
seep l brought a little somethin' ter
make the occasion more joyous"
At these words he pulled bottle out
Of each of the side pockets of his over
eoat. and set them down with consid-
erable violence on the center table in
Gr Hays parlor.
The travelling man insisted upon
opening the two bottles, and serving
the contents, but, as the fluid had been
purchased in Gravesend. there was no
oyer-indulgeIce. The girls assisted
afr. Hay in setting forth his'modest
provision of refreshment, and they
managed TO utilize all the dishes in
the house. There was dancing before
and after the supper, and everybody
had a glorious time, including Mr..
Hay, who had not participated in any
such revelry since 1875.
Finally, one of the girls discovered
that it was after twelve o'clock. and
abe communicat ted this intelligence to
the others. Then there was a hurried
leave taking, and after ii was all over.
&r. Hay sank into q chair and razad