Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-04-12

that instrument but this one little bit
of bright metal which the thoughtful
designer had put just where it would
reflect stray bang.
Your wife's coming home? Oh how
glad you must be-
I'm tell you what we ought to do"
said the girl who never does anything
at all, and is always the busiest one in
the office. I'VE ought to go up to Mr..
Hays house, and put it in order for
him. Then when his wife comes home
she'll say that he's the best house
keeper in the world"
THAT isn't bad idea" said the
travelin man. what do you say, old
Doublewindows? win you invite us all
up to your house? If you will Wen
bring along fiddler, and give you a
fine old racket to console you for the
sad event of Saturday"
The boolSReeper, who is the best of
husbands, did not tteign to notice the
travelling mans badinage; but the
Eouse-cleaning idea appealed to him
strongly He was ~eally touched by
this evidence of the esteem in which
he was held by his associates.
"Then 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
nccted with the office were invited.
After some discussion it was decided
to include the head office boy, youth
of seventeen, with pronounced sport
ing proclivities.
"lIe'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 boollltecper succeeded in getting
away early Thursday afternoon, and
on his way home he made several pur-
chases for the entertainment of his
prospective guests. He lived in q
queer little two-story house in Brook
lyn. 1t had never looked mcancr 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-
Giaion of things before that moment.
Il can't let them see the place in this
condition." said he. perhaps could
get woman to come in for a couple of
hours. and straighten upa 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
ny eight o'clock the guests began to
arrive. The girls Immediately made n
survey of the premises, and they com
plimented Mr.. Hay highly. They said
that he was a perfectly lovely house
keeper. But privately they comment
ed very unfavoraGly 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 oilice-boyin-chief, came
last. He was accompanied by n young
man with short hair, and nose slight
ly inclined to one side, as the result of
collision with some swiftly moving
object, probably four-ounee glove.
Il took de liberty" said Barney, "of
bringing me friend, Mr.. Swipes. Hes
retired detective, an de bes' middle
weight in Gravesend; also barkeep'.
Swipsey, old boy, dis geRtleman is Mr.,
Hay, our boolll1eeper. an de fines ink
singer in de business"
"Glad ter meet yer, Mr.. Hay" said
the retired detective. ANY friend o
Barney's is my friend, an that goes
see? brought a little somethin' te,
make the occasion more joyous"
At these words he pulled bottle ou
of each of the side pockets of his over
coat, and set them down with consid
cradle violence on the center table II
Mr.. Hays parlor.
The travelling man insisted upoi
opening the two bottles, and serving
the contents, but, as the fluid had beef
purchased in Gravesend, there was NJ
QYer-indulgence. The girls assiste,