Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-05-01
"How surprised my wife will be to-

!
the furniture" the professor solilo-
quized, pleased like child over the
expected result of his practical idea.
Never before had he looked SO be-
nign, knowing and self-satistied, as on
the morning of the day that was to
brin" the dcnouemcnt, when he APP
reared at the breakfast table. With
| bcaminy countcnance he received the
presents and congratulations, and
when asked by his wife why he had
yesterday locked the door of his bed
room and taken the key with him, he
looked astonished, and replied like the
thorough pharisec that he was:
Did / really do that? Well, l do
declare: I have never been so absent
minded before. Then suppose those
| old pieces of furniture are still in my
| bedroom. I never noticed them this
morning!'
''rhat is nothing" responded his wife.
II will at once order them moved back
to your study
''Do so, my DEAR" exclaimed the pro-
| fessor, an odd, sarcastic kind Of a smile
| fitting across his face. land should you
| perchance meet with 4 surprise, take it
| cool, like the brave little woman you
are
| 1t is no wonder that a remark like this
filled the heart of the good lady with
joyful anticipation. She almost flew on
the wings OF expectation to the study,
but soon she returned. At the thresh-
hold she remained inmovable. Her face
was pale as death, her eyes dilatcd. her
expression betokened surprise, and in
dccision--almost fear.
IL feel so queer" she finally admitted,
as if talking to herself, "have Host my
senses? or do my eyes deceive me?
Jacondc, Euphrosine, come with me!''
| The professor laughed heartily. He
could scarcely await their return. When
they at last appeared, his daughters,
with an almost idiotic expression on
their faces, his wife's thoughtful and
restless looks fixed upon him, he
thought he would burst from laughing.
Suddenly his wife. forgetful of good
manners and their children's presence,
ran up to him, eNclaiming: -
Are you crazy: Why do you carry
on like fool? What has happened in
this house: Only day before yesterday
1 ordered the coverings of the set in
your study turned, and the furniture
polished and vanished. for which /
spent ten dollars, and now-what imp
has been playing tricks OH me: I see
the same dirty, old and worn silk OF,
top as before! How is such thing pos
| siblc? 1t is enough to lose ones senses,
and you persist in roaring at my per-
dicament?''
But the professor had now stopped
laughing. And as for the expression Of
his face, it differed not an iota from
those of his two daughters.
Wife," he said, mildly. II do not
comprehend at all. What are you talk.
ing about. having the covering of that
set turned? Know then, that not YOU
but I had THIS done yesterday. in
tended it as a surprise for YOU
what? You did, yesterday"
'Ies. my dear, yesterday! And all
was finished by evening. Now you will
understand why 1 took the key of my
bedroom door with me. But come. con.
TESS! was not practical:" And again
the professor began to indulge in laugh.
ter.
But his wife did not feel like Join.
ing in his hilarity.
"Husband." she sObbed, with tren,.
bling voice, Surprising 1 were to tell
you that day before yesterday, and
the two girls, together with u couple
of upholsterers, have had that furniture
repaired right here OH this spot?'
T. And Supposing [ were to tell yon.'
he interrupted her angri'y, that L have
had the furniture repaired yesterday
do you hear? yesterday"
yesterday? really. do you mean yes-
terday' Heavens! what have you
done:'
The poor woman dropped family into
Il chair.
"Cnfortunate man, what have You
dcne:"
Done: Why, I had the covering
turned, tho
"1cs, you had the good side of the
covering turned inside. after had it
turned the other way the day before,
you fool"
! "W---h--a--t!"
The professor seemed to understand
at last, for he shot out of the room and
made for his study. When he reap
pearcd after considerable delay. he de-
clarcd that it was all true enough and
the furniture looked as bad as ever.
| Just think of it. dearest" he re-
marked, half jokingly, half in anger.
land the upholstcrer had even warned
me that the goods looked like new, and
needed no repairing!"
| But the joke fell fat. His wife was
not so easily q'lieted.
"And pray. how much did YOU paw to
that conf, mean to that upholsterer
Of yolirs?''
Glow much? Why, S15!''
Fifteen dollars!" the now thoroueh-
| ~ reused woman repeated Fifteen
dollars. She tore her handkerchief i'm
| shrcds.
IL tell yon what it is she added in