Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-05-21


why 1t was that some men were so much
luckier than others. and also whether
there WAS much chance of Mr.. Hilnan
departing this life and being laid to
rest with his fathers. | knew of num-
Der of pleasant chnrchyards where |
thought Mr. Hilman might be accom-
modated with quarters indefinitely, md
felt that ! could attend his funeral
with much pleasure, though, as rule.
| abhored funerals
well. old man" said Bascom, as we
took the train for town Monday morn
ing, Il hope you enjoyed yourself"
Il never had a pleasanter outing in
my life" | answered. with such sin
cerity that he actually blushed, "and
you have my thanks in all their ampli-
tude."
I'm glad you liked It, for more
reasons than one" and he smiled rather
CURLY.
"Oh, yes. know" | said. with
laugh You think that after my e%-
perience of the last forty-eight hours
my views on the woman question will
undergo a radical change"
He nodded and smiled at my pro-
fundity of observance
'l'css up. now nIarston," he said,
haven't your views changed somewhat
by what you have lived in for even so
short a time?'
Well" l replied, picking my way
carefully. Il an willing to say that as
far as your household is concerned, tho
prospect is more pleasing than l
thought it could be"
And would you say the Hilman
household were any less pleasing than
| mme?" This was nudge and
chuckle that | thought quite uncalled
for in view of the fact that Mrs. Hill
man was married woman, and | had
no right to express undue admiration
for her or her household. and which
made the blood rush into my face.
of course, that must be included
| l said, trying to laugh off my embar-
rassment. And STILL l continued.
that is only two, and there are millions
which one wouldn't care to praise
What are they to you?" he retorted,
You are not hunting for the millions,
but the one
apparently l am not hunting one
with a great degree Of success
But you should, and now you
have positive proof that the life is not
as black as 1t is painted"
Its very easy for you to talk, !
contended warmly. You have called
lucky turn and SO has Hllman. But
you have exhausted the supply. Now,
II l could get such woman as Mrs.
-" But l stopped short for was
about to make a discrimination which
was hardly complimentary to my host.
and l didn't want to do that.
Go on" he urged, good naturedly.
Il don't care II you say Mrs. Hilman.
Anybody could see that you had lean
ing that way. Even my wife wasn't at
all enyious of her sister"
| Very WE'LL" | submitted, SAY Mrs.
Hilman II could find such woman
that my mind would not undergo a
change, and that l could not be per-
suaded to throw Off few OF the tram
mels of bachelorhood.'
Bascom let off guffaw that not only
startled me, but it shocked me as we'll
for l thought l had said something
should not have said.
whats the matter, MANI" asked
much alarmed.
That's it," he continued to laugh
whats the matter with Mrs. Hill.
mani"
Twas much more disturbed than ever
at this queer inquiry.
What do you mean?" asked. taking
him by the collar.
why. old fellow. II Mrs. Hilman i!
your ideal and you think you could bt
happy with that kind Of a woman. VIII,
don't you avail yourself of your op
portunities and take Mrs. Hilman?"
Wha-wha-wha- why-why-"
stammered. utterly upset.
"Oh, there isn't any Mr.. Hilman, l
that's what you are trying to say. HI
has been in the quiet churchyard TO
10! these many years, and Mrs. Hilmal
has been living with US the last twelve
month. and l am positive that she Il
heart-whole and fancy free. and. wha
is more to the point. she is just littl
bit tired of living with us. See?"
Possibly saw. and possibly didn't
Whether did or not. spent the mex
Sunday with Bascom and incidentally
with Mrs. Bascom and Mrs. Hilman.
The next Sunday l spent principal
with Mrs. Hilman.
And the next
And there are others.