The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-07-14
A LITTLE JOKE.
BY RUDYARD KIPLING.

sitting in my Office finishing up some
scraps of work and ever and anon cast
ing happy glances at my portmanteau.
which stood in the corner. was just
off to spend a fortnight with my old
friend Colonel Gunton. in Norfolk. and
I 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.
It would be delightful.
The telephone bell rang.
"Oh. confound it'll hope that moth
ing to keep mel" / exclaimed. and
rose to see to it.
"Mr. Miller. are you theref"
"Yes"
"All right. I'll come round.
A few minutes passed and then my
clerk announced. IA lady to see you.
sir.
A remarkably pretty girl of about Is
was ushered in. She stood still some
way from me till the door was closed.
Then she suddenly rushed toward me,
fell at my feet and exclaimed. "You
will protect me. won't your"
my dear young lady. what in the
world
You're the famous Mr.. Miller,
aren't you-Mr Joseph Miller. the
philanthropistf"
"My name is Joseph Miller. certain
ly."
"Ahl Then am safel'' And che sal
down in an armchair and smiled con.
6dingly at me.
Madam. said sternly. twill you
have the goodness to explain to what
owe the pleasure of this visitf''
"They told me to come to you"
"Whof"
"Why. the people at the police sta.
tion."
1.-THE police stationf"
"Yes, when they let me go-becaust
| it was first offense. you know. They
said you always took up cases like mine
and that if stuck to you I should b.
we'll looked after.
1t was quite true that had taker
an interest in rescuing young persons
from becoming habitual criminals. bu
l was hardly prepared for this.
"What have you been doingf"
| "Oh. nothing this time-only ,
bracelet"
''This timer
"They didn't know me up here" shs
explained smilingly. ''I've always prac
ticed in the country. Wasn't it lucky
But really, Mr.. Miller, I'm tired of it
| am indeed The life is too exciting
the doctors cay $3.50 I've come t.
you.
The case was strange one, but
had no time to investigate it now. L
wanted only half an hour to the TIM
my train left Liverpool street.
"What is your manner" asked.
''Sarah Jones. ="
"Well. will have your case looked
into. Come and see me again, or, i
you are in distress, you may write t,
meat Colonel Gunton's, Beech Hill
Norfolk. shall be staying there
"Going now3"
II start in few minutes"
"Oh, Ill come with your
MADAM" I answered with EN-
phasis. II will see you-out of tn,
office first -
"But what am to dor Oh. it's non
sensel shall come. l shall say be
long to you. !"
l rang the bell.
"Show this lady out. Thomas. a
once.
She laughed. bowed and went-evi
IDENTIFY most impudent hussy. fin
ished my business, drove to Liverpoo
street and established myself in frs
class smoking carriage. I was alon
and settled myself for comfortabl
cigar | was rudely interrupted. Jus
as the train was starting, the doc
opened-and that odious young woman
Jumped inl
''Therel l nearly missed you'll" sh
said.
II can hold no communication wit
you. l said severely "You are a dis
!, grace to your-er-sex."
Its all right I've wired to tn
colonel
you've wired to my friend. Colone
Gunton2''
Eyes; didn't want to surpris
them. said you would bring frien
with you. It's all right. Mr.. Miller"
81 don't know who you are or wha
: you are, but the Guntons are respects
BILE people. and am a respectable mar
and