The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-05-23

How surprised my wife wil1 be tos
morrow when she unties and replaces
the furniture the professor solilo.
quized, pleased like a child over tho
expected result Of his practical idcn.
Never before had he looked 50 be-
nign, knowing and aelf-sahsded. 81 on
the morning Of the day that was Ia
bring the denouement, when he ap.
peared at the breakfast table. Wifh
beaming e-ountennnce be received fhe
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 Ike the
thorough pharisee that he wnss
did I really DO fhat2 Well, [ do
declared have never been so absent
minded before. Then L suppose those
old pieces Of furniture are still III my
bedroom. / never noticed them this
morning."
.rThat is nothing, = responded his wife.
II win at mi order them moved back
to your study"
"Do 90, my dear, exclaimed the pro-
lessor, an odd, sarcastic kind ella smile
fitting across his face, land should you
perchance meet with a surprise, take it
cool. like the brave little woman you
are"
It is no wonder that a remark like this
filed the heart Of the good lady with
joyful anticipation. She almost few on
the wings of expectation to the study,
but soon she returned. At the thresh~
hold she remained immovable. Her face
was pale as death, her eyes dilated. her
expression betokened surprise, and In.
decision-almost fear.
II feel so queer" she finally admitted.
as If talking to herself, 'shaye I lost my
senses? Of do my eyes deceive me9
Jaconde, EuPnrosile, come with mci''
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,
AuAl up W ntAl, CACldlIulu&s
"Are you crazy2 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 me2 I see
the same dirty, old and worn silk on
top as beforel How is such a thing pos
sible? It 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 / had this done yesterday. I in-
tended Il as a surprise for YOU"
What? You did, yesterday r.
Eyes, my dear, yesterday And all
was finished by evening. Now you viii
understand why / took the key of my
bedroom door with me. But come, con-
Tess! was / not practically" 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 trenl.
bling voice, ''supposing I were to tell
you that day before yesterday, / and
the two girls, together with a couple
of upholsterers, have hadthat furniture
repaired right here on this spot?"
"And surprising / were to tell you"
he interrupted her angrily, that l have
had the furniture repaired yesterday,
do you hear? yesterday"
Yesterday? really, do you mean yes
terday? Heavensl what have you
done?"
The poor woman dropped family into
Il chair.
unfortunate man, what have YOU
doneP"
"Done2 why. / had the covering
turned, the
"Yes, you had the good side of the
covering turned inside, after / had il
turned the other way the day before.
you fool"
"W--h-a-ti"
The professor seemed to understand
at last, for he shot out Of the room and
made for his study. When he reap-
peared after a considerable delay, he de-
clared 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,
"und the upholsterer had even warned
me that the goods looked like new, and
needed no repairingl"
But the joke fell fat. His wife was
not 30 easily quieted.
"And pray, how much did you pay to
that conf, 1 mean to that upholsterer
Of y~ours2"
How much? Why, S16i"
"Fifteen dollars!r the now thorough
ly reused woman repeated. Fifteen
doilarsisf She tore her handkerchief in
shreds.
IL tell sou what it Isl" she added in
her most positive tone and manner.
Nov, / absolutely insist on a new set
Of furniture. and what is still more, one
go e1Rn 1r~-~-- - $3.50 80 4aL4 >