Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-03-24
THE GASMAN'S CALL.
HE WANTED TO SEE THE METER,
BUT DIDN'T.

A Top Flat, . 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 and then
home for dinner" thought young Tom
kins, the smartest surveyor in 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 inland a top fat toor' And ne
applied his knuckles to the panels more
vigorously. "Hang 1t, how provoking
be 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 be heard a movement
inside. Some one was approaching the
door, and Tomkins' spirits revived when
an old lady looked out and asked II he
had been knocking.
"Knocking? I should think l have! l
thought you were out, explained Tom
kins.
eyes, 1t is a fine day." said the lady.
II want to see the meter, said Tom
kins.
eyes, it has been a very mild win
ter, said the lady.
II want to read the meter" III q
louder key.
"There's been nothing but rumors OF
war for a long timo."
II want to see the m-e-t-e-rF' yelled
Tomkins.
1--WE always buy our meat at the
shop" replied the lady.
"It is the meter, y roared Tomkins.
"New killed meat is fearful tough
Tomkins lit his lip with vexation.
took a long breath aud yelled. "Meter''
IA sewing machine, no. I do all my
sewing with the hand"
Tomkins danced with impatienoe.
"Let me see the meter!'' he again yelled
ENSURE my lifea How much would
you insure me for if I paid twopence
per week?"
care you deaf2'' yelled Tomkins.
II told you before that I bought my
beef at the shop"
"Where is the gas meter?'
"It won't do. I don't believe in buy
ing at the door,"
1.-THE gas meter!' yelled Tomkins
trying to get inside the house, but tn
old lady blocked the way.
Tomkins was now as mad as a Marcl
hare; his throat was hoarse with shout
ing. What was to be done? He took an
other deep breath and yelled, ~ wan
to read your meterr'
II used to read a great deal, but m,
eyes are bad now, I" replied the lady.
"And your ears as well?' screame'
Tomkins, with his eyes almost bursting
from their sockets.
"The meter, the meter!" he yelled.
go away and don't bother me ali,
more. Ihave told you that I don't wan
any Of your goods" replied the lady Sc
verely.
Heavens, this is awful-five fiat
up, at the door, and could not get acces
to the meter" Such a thing had neve
happened to Tomkins before. But ne
cessity is the mother Of invention, an
a happy idea struck him. He opene
his book, took a slip Of paper and in
bold hand wrote, II want to see you
gas meter"
The lady put on her glasses and bel
mp the slip.
ooh, it was q meter you wanted I
seer" abe said.
eyes," cried Tomkins, glad that b
had gained his point at last.
"It is not here. There has not been
meter in this house for over ten years.
explained the lady. Tomkins looked {
the woman, then at his book. Ills th.
not 49p'' be shrieked. "No, it is Al.
replied the lady as Tomkins cleared tE
first flight at a bound, upset half a do
en- children on the second and reache
the street in a state Of collapse. 500
tish Nights.