Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-05-26
MADE A CONTRACT.
hut Was Used AS n Patent
Floor Mop.

There was ''lean and hungry" look
about him as he opened the door of the
lunch room and advanced toward the
desk.
II want TO see the proprietor" he
said, with the air of one born to com
mand.
The man behind the desk took in at q
glance the heavy fringe on the stran-
] gers pantaloons, the I-haye-seen-bet-
ter-days aspect of his torn coat. and the
mutilated and discolored appearance Of
his hat.
"well, what'll you have?" he said.
shortly, his eyes moving suggestively
toward the door and back again to the
stranger.
Sir" said the latter, Strengthening
himself and proudly throwing back his
head, you see before you gentleman
TO the manner born, who has just re-
turned from the Klond-"
That's enough" interrupted the
proprietor, and there was coldness in
his voice that reminded the stranger Of
an Alaska blizzard he had read about.
There's the door," went on the man
behind the desk, pointing toward that
aperture.
Surely. am at liberty to ask a civil
question" remarked the stranger, in an
injured tone. 81 merely wanted to
know the price of square meal"
twenty-five cents and in advanced"
snapped the proprietor.
The stranger sighed and stepped
back pace. unfortunately for me al
the present moment, gave my last half
dollar to a poor man last night who
was in search of a lodging; but, gen
tleman TO the manner born though !
am, can work. Isn't there something
] can do TO earn meal?"
II think showed you the door once"
said the proprietor, bouncing up from
his seat.
"0ne moment" said the stranger.
edging regretfully toward the door.
II notice that your place is in one OF
the older buildings in the city, and II
occurs to me that perhaps the rats are
source of annoyance to you"
well, what If they are?" asked the
proprietor, pansing abruptly.
A new light shone in the strangers |
eyes. and the gentleman-to-the-ma
ner-born-instinct showed itself in the |
graceful bow he made.
Because l am great rat extermina-
tor. Give me square meal. and am
ready to kill the vermin; wipe them
out"
The proprietor seemed impressed
He hesitated only moment. and then
babe the stranger TO be seated. An
hour afterward the stranger sat back
in his chair with sigh of contentment
as he finished his dessert.
Here is ten cents" he said to the
waiter. but l am a gentleman TO the
manner born and spurn the thought of
giving you so small a sum-" and he re-
turned the dime to his pocket.
'Now for the rat killing" he NUT
tered, rising from his seat.
II am going TO ask you for biscuit
roller" he said, suavelv. to the proprie-
tor. When that implement was
brought he rolled up his sleeves in a
business-like manner, and looking at
those who We're crowded around him.
Are You ready to go ahead ?" he asked.
Certainly" said the proprietor. lit
tie puzzled
Well, I'm ready. too. just waltz out
your rats and I'll kill them. according
to the letter of my contract"
The neighbors didn't know just what
was happening, but it seemed like a
nerry-go-round was in operation with
n the restaurant. Half an hour later
the proprietor was caressing his eve
with a piece of raw beefsteak. and a
all, soldierly man was walking down
he street. Part of his coattail was
zone, and he looked as if he might have
been used temporarily as patent floor
icrubber, but his face was illuminated
with a seraphic smile. such as arises =
'nly from a clear conscience and full
tomach.-Washingto Star.