The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-04-11
"How SURPRISED nv wife will be To-

How surprised my vile VIII De to
morrow when she unties and replaces
the furniture,' the professor solilo-
quized. pleased like a child over the
expected result of his practical idea.
Never before had he looked sc be-
nign. knowing and self-satisfied, as on
the morning of the day that was to
bring the denouement. when he ap-
reared at the breakfast table. With
beaming c~ountenance 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 pharisee that he was:
Did l really do that? Well, | do
declare. | have never been so absent
minded before. Then l suppose those
old pieces of furniture are still in my
bedroom. l never noticed them this
morning.
That is nothing" responded his wife.
Il will at once order them moved back
to your study"
do so, my dear" exclaimed the pro-
f~essor, an odd, sarcastic kind of a smile
fitting across his face. 'and should you
perchance meet with a 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,
L.. 1900 Il -+l IL, II
hold she remained immOvable. Her face
was pale as death, her eyes dilated, her
expression betokened surprise, and in
decision-almost fear.
Il feel so queer" she finally admitted,
as if talking to herself, have | lost my
senses? or do my eyes deceive me?
Jaconde, Euphrosine, come with mel"
The professor laughed heartily. lie
could scarcely await their return. Vixen
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, forgctful of good
manners and their children's presence,
ran up 10 MIN. tNCllllllllP.
Are you crazy! Why do you carry
on like a fool? What has happened in
this house? Only day before Yesterday
| 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 on me? l see
the same dirty, old and worn silk on
top as before. How is such a thing pos
siblc? 1t is enough to lose ones senses,
and you persist i'll roaring at my per-
dicament??"
But the professor had now stopped
laughing. And as for the expression If
his face, it differed not an iOta from
those of his two daughters.
Wife" he said, mildly. Il do not
comprehend at all. What are you talk
ing about, having the covering of that
set turned? Know then, that not you,
but l mad this done yesterday. l in
tended it as a surprise for you"
What? You did, Yesterday"
Yes, my dear. yesterday. And all
was finished by evening. Now you will
understand why | took the key of my
bedroom dOor with me. But come. cOn-
feSs. 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 trenr-
bling voice. "~supposinr | were to tell
YOU that dav before Yesterday. | and
the two girls, together with a couple
of uphnlsterers. have had that furniture
repaired right here on this spot??"
And surprising | were to tell vou,"
he interrupted her argrily. that | have
had the furniture repaired Yesterday,
do you hear? Yesterday"
yesterday? really, do you mean YES
terdav? Heavens. what have YOU
done?"
The poor woman dropped family into
a char.
unfortunate man. what have Won
done"
"Done? Why, l had the covering
turned. the"
"Ycs. YOU had the good side of the
covering turned inside. after | had it
turned the other way the dav before,