The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-04-07
CAME HOME EARLY.

he pulled out the slide at the side of
his desk and put them up on that.
After that he seemed to get on.
Suddenly the soowl became half
smile. His feet came down with a
thump. He jumped up and went to the
telephone and turned the little crank at
the side energetically.
''Ginlme double four eight-main. -
He stood square on his feet, threw
back his shoulders and looked contented
Then he lowered his head again and
said ''yeh" into the transmitter as the
number was repeated back and nipped
the ragged end of his cigar with his
strong, white teeth as he waited.
'Hellol Fred Gibson there!"
"Tell i'm to come to the phone -
Hello. Gibl''
"Say, old man, you got to come and
get me out tonight. =
"Yeh, that's what said.''
"No; no bail N
He laughed into the phone and said:
"Ah, go to the dip n
"Hey?"
"No. Now see here; I've promised
to go out with Bronson to meet some
merry people tonight, and I've been get
ting out to banquets and clubs and lodge
meetings and business mems meetings
and political meetings and-any old
thing until my list is worn ont. See?"
"Yeh. :"
"Huh?'' sS4,
''Yes. You've got to come over TO.
night and get me out. A."
s'Yeh''
"Yeh,
lyon re on to your job. -
II. ssEguess SO.
"a board meeting?"
"strawboard, cardboard, day board,
olapboard?''
"Oh, meeting of the board of di-
rectorsr'
ooh, seel''
"Yeh."
"Yoa betl'
"Well. they're a good many-neat,
but not gaudy, as the monkey
"Huh?''
"What's that?''
"Oh, as near seven as you can make
itl''
81 shan't be going out. you know,
at all. You II have to drag me-
''That's it!''
SCOT time to drop over and smileP''
"All right.
"Yeh."
'Yeh.
"All right. -
"Goodbyl"
Sigsby winked at his newspaper when
the bell rang at o'clock.
His wife was putting the baby to
sleep. She stopped rocking and listened
to see if her latest acquisition in the
servant girl line would go to the door.
Annie must be up stairs, - she said,
laying baby in big chair containing a
pillow and going into the hall.
She reappeared. followed by Gibson.
"HelIo, old man. Glad to see you.
Sit down. said Sigsby, springing up
and shaking hands as Mrs. sigsby
wheeled an easy chair forward.
He had on pair of slippers and a
house jacket that had evidently seen
little use.
Mrs. Sigshy took up the baby and re-
sumed her rocker, ,beaming contentedly
upon her big, handsome husband and
his visitor. "
"Well, it's ali important meeting,
aSigsby, and we've all got to be there, :"
resumed Gibson, after he had stated the
object of his call.
"Howland tried to reach you over the
phone twice, but couldn't catch you, SO
told him | see that you got there. :"
Sigsby had settled back in his big,
leather covered chair and put his slip
pered right foot up on his left knee
with the air of a man whom cables
could not drag from the comforts of his
home.
He reached over and took Japanese
jar containing cigars from the table and
held it out toward Gibson, saying:
Now, old man, you take a smoke
and make yourself comfortable. You
don't get me out of this house tonight.
l have been going to banquets and meet
ings till I'm tired out, and the board will
have to meet some other time or get
along without me.
But, man, you We got to go, said
Gibson. 1--we promised to produce you.
and dead or alive I've got to do it.
There important business coming up,
and nothing can be done unless every
member is present. =
1.-The Ball coupler matter coming
up?"
"Yes, and the Goodrich business. z
"Gad, is that so?''
Sigsby looked thoughtful, placed his
left thumb on his left cheek, curled his
fingers around his chin, stroked an inn
Rginary beard and said, we'll, if that
was the case he 'sposed he ID have to go.
i Now. isn't that too bad?'' said Mrs.
4Sfgsby, Just when Ben-Mr. Sigsby.
and were getting settled for pleasant
evening. =
She grew wistful in the eyes as she
spoke and saw her husband start to go
up stairs to change the house jacket and
slippers for his coat and Shoes
Gibson got acquainted with the baby,
who had been awakened by the voices
and sat bolt upright on her mothers
knee and was listening to the soft voice
Of Mrs. Sigsby, telling him what busy
man her husband had got to be and
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