The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-10-08

''and my store clothcs too"
oh, daddy" the poor woman cried,
whatever will we do?'
II don't know, Maria. Well have
to think. I don't know Jest let this
gentleman in, though. I'd most froze
if he hadn't lent me the loan Of his
overcoat My word for it," he broke
out, as he looked at the coat by the
light of the hall lamp. "but that cost
money. Maria, this here's Mr.. I
amt caught on to your name yet, SIR
''Wetherbee," said the owner Of the
name.
"Heatherbee, and a real nice gentle
man he is, Maria. Id a froZe stiff in
my science clothes is it hadn't been for
this ere coat Crickey!' he exclaimed,
reverently, never seed the like That
nd Keep a corpse warm! Shut the
door, Maria, and take the gentleman
into the dining room. He Lluat be cold
himself. Is mother there?'
''Yes," said the astrologer's wife,
''and SOS MOllie. You were so late we
got worried, and Mollie came right
down in her nightgown, l;sr before you
came in. Where's t:lddy:' says she,
'ain't he goin' 10 tiss me goodnight?
'Taint mOrnin', is t." says she. And
the Office is burnt down? oh. my dad
dy! I thought our troubles were at
end. Come in, Mr.-A1r.--I amt right
ly got your name; but thank you kind
ly for looking after daddy, and if you
had an idea how easy it is for him to
take cold in his chist, you'd know how
thankful | am. Come into the dining
and he lent Smith his coat to come
in Wo fy11 %
him 2"
whats that?" croaked the old wo-
man in the corner Of the dining room.
1t was very small room, with very
small table, cceered with very cheap
red cloth.
Smiths Office is burnt up and his
best suit with it" explained Mrs
Smith. "Ain't it awful?"
Its a Judgment said the old lady,
sole1nnly. She was a very depressing
old lady, and yet she was evidently re-
vered by this small family. A four
year-sld child hung back in corner,
but when her father came in she
climbed upon his knee and accepted
the kisses, silently, yet with a love
light in her eyes.
''Only got one," said Smith. Born
under Mercury and Jupiter. If that
don't mean that she'll be a tip-topper,
I'll miss my guess. Yes, ma" he went
on, addressing the old woman, who
showed not the slightest interest, s.the
Office is burned down, and had to
come home quick. Wouldn't a done
for them folks to see me scuddin' Off in
my science clothes"
His wife passed her hand over
Smiths flannel suit Land sakes,
Smith, you're all wet Ri
"Oh, I'll dry all right in these fan
nels. Don't you worry about getting
out another suit a
He had forgotten that he had told
Wetherbee that his only suit was
burned, or maybe. he was trying to
save his wife the humiliation Of such
an admission.
I'm drying off first-rate; and now,
Maria. you get out the whisky and
give Mr.. BUTTERFLY drink with some
hot water, so he won't get chill. We
are all teetotallers here, sir, but we
believe in spirits for medicinal use.
Yes, mother, you ought to seen that
place burn. Why, the flames were on
me before / knowed where / was, and
JUS thought to myself, thinks I, eff
these people see me runnin' away from
fire / won't cast no horoscope after
this, and tell you the way I got out
of the back window and over the back
fence was caution. That's your whis-
ky, sir. You'll excuse me, sir; we're
not in the habit here s5.s
Wefherbee did not greatly wonder at
their not being In the habit sitter he
had tasted the whisky. It was bad