Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-05-30
A LITTLE JOKE.

glancoS at my pOrlmanledu, WHICH oloou
in the corner. I was just off to spend a
fortnight with my old friend, Col. Gun
ton, in Norfolk, and was looking forward
to seeing him again with great pleasure.
We had not met for ten years, and
had never been to his place or seen any
of his family 1t would be delightful.
The telephone bell rang.
"Oh, confound it! l hope that's moth
ing to keep me-' l exclaimed, and rose
to see to it.
Mr. Miller, are you there?''
Yes
''All right. I'll come around"
A few minutes passed and then my
clerk announced, "A lady to see you, sir.
A remarkably girl of about Is
was ushered in. She stood still some
way from me till the door was closed.
Then she suddenly rushed towards me,
fell at my feet and exclaimed, You will
protect me, won't YOU!
MY dear young lady, what in the
WORLD
you're the famous Mr.. Miller, aren't
you-Joseph Miller, the philanthropist?
MY name is Joseph Miller, certainly"
''Ah! Then [ am safer' And she sat
down in an armchair and smiled confd-
ingly at me.
Madam" said I sternly, "wiH you
have the goodness to explain to what l
owe the pleasure Of this VISIT"
They told me to come to YOU
''Who?"
Why, the people at the police station"
1.-The police station
Yes, when they let me go-because it
was first Offense, you know. They said
YOU always took up cases like mine, and
that if | stuck to you [ should be we'll
looked after"
1t was quite true that I had taken an
interest IN resculng young persons from
becoming habitual criminals, but 1 was
hardly prepared for this.
What have you been doing!'
oh, nothing this time-only brace
let
This time?'
''They didn't know me up here" she
ticed in the country. Wasn't it lucky?
But really, Mr.. Miller, I'm tired of it; I
am indeed. The life is too exciting-the
doctors say $3.50 I've come to you
The case. was strange one, but had
no time to investigate it now. 1t wanted
only half an hour of the time my train
left Liverpool street.
What is your name?' | asked.
Sarah Jones'"
'WeU, I VIII hare your case looked
into. Come and see me again, or, if you
are IN distress, you may write to meat
Wi. IOGGCu Hi, NOT1OIk. L
shall be staying there -"
Going now?''
I start in a few minutes
Oh, I'll come with you.''
Madam" I answered with emphasis,
Il will see you-out of the office first
But what am | to do? oh, It's non
sense! | shall come. [ shall say l be-
long to YOU
| rang the bell
''Show this lady out Thomas, at once"
She laughed, bowed and went-evident-
y most impudent hussy. [ finished my
business, drove to Liverpool street and
esta blished myself in q first-class smoking
carriage. l was alone and settled myself
for comfortable cigar. | was rudely in
terrupted Just as the train was starting
the door oDened-and that odious young
woman jumped in!
There. | nearly missed your she
said
Z can hold no communication with
you," | said severely. You are a dis
grace to yOur-er-SeX.
Its all right. | wired to the colonel"
you've wired to my friend, Col. Gun
ton?'
.Yes; I didn't want to surprise them.
you. It's all right, Mr.. Miller
Il don't know who you are or what
you are, but the GuntOnS are respectable
people, and [ am respectable man.
and
There's no reason why you should
promenade up and down, Mr.. Miller. It's
very uncomforta BILE for me"
What is the meaning of this insolent
behaviorW
Why not be friendly? We're off now,
and | must go on"
L shall give you in charge at the next
station"
What for?"
On reflection, supposed she had COM
mitted no criminal offense, and with a
dignifed air l opened my paper.
I don't mind your smoking" she said
and took out box of chocolates.
[ was at my wits end. Either this girl
was mad or she was a dangerous and IN
Scrupulous person. She was quite capa
bic of making a most unpleasant and dis
creditable cOmmOtlon on the platform at
Beech Hill station. What in the world
was [ to do?
Shall we stay long at the Guntons' -
she asked.
You, madam. will never go there"
ooh, yes, [ shall.
Indeed, you won't. I'll take care of
that. The police will see to that
I don't care a fig for the police. l
shall go and stay as long as you do.
They told me to stick to you
[ became angry. Any man would have.
But nothing was to be gained by losing
my temper. | took out a sovereign.
If you'll get out at the next station,
I'll give you this
went in for personal supervision, not
mere pecuniary doles." she said. Il read
that in your speech at the charity organ-
zatiOn meeting. No; I'm not to be
lbribed I'm going to the Guntons''
Its absurd: It's preposterous. What
will-what will Mrs. Gunton say?'
''Oh. she won't m;ndr' answered my
companion, with confident nod. "She's
used to girls like me"
You surprise me-" [ retorted sarcas-
-tically, but she only laughed again.
| returned to my paper.
An hour passed in silence. The train
began to slacken speed az we neared the
station next before Beech Hill. She
looked up and said:
Would you really rather didn't come
with your
| had passed a wretched hour. This
girl was evidently bent on blasting my
character.
Madam" said I. ''if you will get out
aat this station, III give you Is note"
What? | heard you never gave away