The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-18
LATCHKEYS A NECESSITY.
Nj. and MrA Hunter Try to Do with ONLY
One bue Troublo EnSuoe.

Nj. and Mrs Hunter Try to Do with Only
One. but Trouble Ensuss.
When Mr.. and Mrs Hunter moved
into their suburban cottage they de-
cided to be economical. The first point
at which their vein of thrift cropped
out with prominence was in the buying
of latchkey. Only one of those use
full little appurtenances to modern
house was thrown in, rent free, and at
first it seemed an assured fact they
must provide themselves with another.
On second thoughts. however, they
concluded to get along without it
You know" reasoned Mrs Hunter,
II am going to be the most exemplary
little wife that ever was / should
consider it an objectionable slip from
the path of duty if / should ever be ABB
sent when you come home and allow
you to sit around supperless and COM
FORTRESS for an hour or two. So what
is the use ofanother latchkey? On the
other hand, you, of course, will never
think of going out at night without
me-"
Mr.. Hunter coughed family two or
three times and looked confused.
''No, of course not" he assented,
meekly.
So that settled it They didn't get
the latchkey.
Several months passed without their
experiencing any apparent inconven-
fence from such a one-sided arrange
ment. Mrs Hunter lived religiously
up to her vows to greet her lord with
a smile and square meal, and Mr..
Hunter on his part toed the chalk line
of rectitude rigidly.
He was obliged to work an hour over
time the first day Of the recent rainy
spell. and on his way home he fumed
and fretted himself into fever of inn
patience at the thought of the worry
and inconvenience his wife would be
subjected to by his delay. From the
time he left the Office there were nus
merous distractions to his progress
Even the su bur ban train hitched and
halted in an unprecedented manner,
and when he left the station the EN-.
phatic click -clack of his heels on the
glistening wooden pavement was an
outward evidence of his mental agita-
ton.
He nearei the cottage and, for the
first time since their occupancy of it,
its broad windows failed to reflect
genial light of welcome. He hurried
up the gravel walk and tried to effect
an entrance to the house through door
and window in rapid succession. The
doors were locked and the windows
were nailed down, and his efforts re-
suited in nothing but to leave him
stranded on the front porch breathless
and disguised after his tour of the
building.
Lights cleaned from houses further
out on the prairie, but the dread of
neighbors' gossip prevented his seek
ing a refuge within them from the
wind and rain, and he crouch ed in the
front doorway and waited for his wife
to come home.
About half-past nine o'clock a cab
was driven up before the house and
Mrs Hunter jumped cut unassisted and
rushed frantically up the path.
What in the world are you sitting
here for?" she spluttered, with diff
Guilty regaining her equilibrium after
her wild stumble over the detected
figure in the doorway. II had to go
away. Ny mother is sick. couldn't
help it 1 expected to be back sooner.
Why didn't you unlock the door and
go inside?"
81 couldn't very well without key"
he replied humbly.
But why didn't you get the key?"
she said, STOPPING down and fishing
from under the doormat
and making frantic jabs at the key
hole. 81 left you note telling you
where to find it."
"But-but where's the note?" he
hammered. looking blankly.
She brushed past him loftily.
I'm my room, of course" she said |
serenely. 81 left it there so you would |
be sure to find it."
He followed her in slowly. The |
next day he ordered a new latchkey.-
Chicago Tribune.