The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-04-30
THE GASNAN'S CALL.
HE WANTED TO SEE THE METER,
BUT DIDN'T.

A Top Flat, a Very Deaf Old Lady and a
Long Drawn out Comedy of Errors In
but a Single Act = The Point Gained at
Last.
Just another meter to read II then
home for dinner, )" thought young Tom
kins, the smartest surveyor i'll the cor
poration's service. "This is the last"
he muttered as he knocked gently at a
door on the fifth fiat. "What, surely
not in-and a top fiat too!"' And he
applied his knuckles to the panels more
vigorously. "Hang it, how provokingr'
he cried, giving the door a kick. But his
feet had no effect, and as a last resource
he played a march with his pliers on
the door. At last he heard a movement
inside. Some IL was approaching the
door, and Tomkins' spirits revived when
an old lady looked GU and asked if he
had been knocking.
Knocking? l should think l have! 1
thought you were out, " explained Tom
kins.
Eyes, it is a fine day, said the lady.
81 want to see the meter" said Tom
kins.
eyes, it has been a very mild win
ter. " said the lady.
81 want to read the METER in a
louder key.
There's been nothing but rumors of
war for a long time"
II want to see the m-e-t-e-r!' yelled
Tomkins..
1--WE always buy our meat at the
shop" replied the lady.
"It is the meter, roared Tomkins.
New killed meat is fearful tough"
Tomkins bit his lip with vexation,
took a long breath and yelled, "Meter!"
ga sewing machine, no. l do all my
sewing with the hand"
Tomkins danced with impatience.
"Let me see the meter!' he again yelled.
Ensure my life? How much would
you insure me for if 1 paid twopence
per week."
"Are you deaf?' yelled Tomkins.
81 told you before that / bought my
beef at the shop"
"Where is the gas meter?"
eft won't do. l don't believe in buy
ing at the door,"
"The gas metern' yelled Tomkins,
trying to get inside the house, but the
old lady blocked the way.
Tomkins was now as mad as a March
hare; his throat was hoarse with shout
ing. What was to be done? He took an
other deep breath and yelled. 81 want
to read your meter! !"
II used to read a great deal, but my
eyes are bad now," replied the lady.
"And your ears as well!'' screamed
Tomkins, with his eyes almost bursting
from their sockets.
"The meter, the meter!' he yelled.
$50 away and don't bother me any
more. have told you that I don't want
any of your goods, " replied the lady Sc
verely.
Heavens, this is awful-five fats
up, at the door, and could not get access
to the meter" Such a thing had neve
happened to Tomkins before. But ne
cessity is the mother of invention, AND
seaappy idea struck him. He opened
n1n6Eok, took a slip of paper and in q
hand wrote, 81 want to see your
GsJseter.' 49,.
yhe lady put on her glasses and held
up the slip.
ooh, it was a meter you wanted tC
see?" she said.
"Yes," cried Tomkins, glad hat he
had gained his point at last.
at is not here. There has not been {
meter in this house for over ten years,
explained the lady. Tomkins looked a
the woman, then at his book. SIS thiI
not 49?'i he shrieked. "No, it is AZ,
replied the lady as Tomkins cleared TIT
first flight at Il bound, upset half a doz
en- children on the second and reached
the street in a state of collapse. Scot
fish Nights.