The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-05
My Mastery Method,
Now. young man. ;

NOW. young man.
The tone made me homesick. I had
rung the bell with dignity and determine
ton, resolved to marry Marie and be a
! devoted grandson to her granmamma. but
1 had not then seen the old lady When
she opened the door and spoke those three
words / was but a young mouse under
the bristles of a learned cat
MY name is Brown I ventured in a
small voice.
THAT is not of the least consequence
Can you beat carpet?"
For brief moment I hesitated, but
the steel of the old lady's eye was pierre
ing my soul; 1 shivered and said: Yes,
madam
Just step this way
1 stepped and meantime, in a sort Of
anxious fascination, watched her back,
which was what one might call a speak
ing back, straight and stern and mex
pressibly uncompromising. Following it,
all remnants of dignity leaked out at my
heels.
In the rear door she paused and males
tically pointed to the yord, where an
immense moquette was spread upon the
grass plot A couple OF old broomsticks
lay ready beside it.
The Iabors OF Hercules required to me
and Argonautic expeditions, trips TO
darker Africa, and colder pole, but no
where in my brain could I conjure any
memory of fellows beating carpets for
wife. I decided to finish the adven-
ture as became my name.
you will allow me-" in a firm, bust
ness manner, ito take of my coat
She shifted and grew sterner. cycling it.
THAT is sensible gray" she said. but
the material is much too fine for one In
your business
at was a Christmas present. madam"
handling 1t tenderly, from my-rny
grandmother"
You would better prove your affection
by keeping 1t for Sundays"
Yes madam" and then I hurried to
the broomsticks, for her glance was turn
ed on my shirt, and what to say about
fine linen, didn't know.
An August coaching party is nowhere
beside the dust and heat of carpet beat
ing. 1 grit my teeth and went at it.
Young man."
Yes, madam"
Don't punch"
mo, madam"
"And shake we'll"
''Yes, madam"
II am going out"
Eyes, madam"
but my granddaughter will settle with
you"
She should; from the beginning 1 had
so decided
I was shaking violently a corner of
the carpet much as dog might worry
an elephants hide if he had 1t by the
20; rrola ~ LON 6rnr- nv,
attention to near window, and I look
ed into,the eyes of Marie. At the sparkle
of them somewhere within me wrath
sprouted.
''She took you for the man from Simp-
sons, the man who does the chores"
ripples Of laughter; "she gave me
quarter for you. She-oh, dear me-she
told me to keep an eye on you'll" peals
of laughter.
At that moment was not all sure that
I wished to marry Marie; certainly I
had seen people with more sense. The
very carpet was grinning at me, great
punches of impossible roses and leaves;
I viciously punched them.
But the laughter presently stopped.
Grandma is very nearsighted," said
Marie, softly, "but even she could see
that you are stinguished-looking."
To this day 1 believe that was a fib;
the old lady never said anything of the
kind but Marie looked distinctly pretty
while she told it.
Are you really going to fnish?" she
asked, when I beat on.
Certainly"
What then?"
my pay"
"Oh, yes, the quarter"
mo, not the quarter"
Grandma will not pay" saucily shak-
ing her bright head, more than a quar-
ter"
Some one shall. I seldom beat carpets,
but when 1 do I charge"
"Oh." demurely.
Here an interruption made me jump.
Young man."
Eyes, madam"
"Stop that nonsense and come here"
She talked ahead Of me, talking as she
went
"Of course, Marie has mentioned you
but the name is so common that did
not notice: and I was expecting a man
from Simpsons. Down the street your
shirt set me thinking"
81 was uneasy" 1 meekly said, "about
my shirt"
Sne Wneeleu On me III Inc nliuuie u neE
parlor and I caught a twinkle in the steel
Of her eve.
you wanted to see me?" she said.
Marie came in, bringing my coat. I
even chuckied as I got into the forgot
ten garment.
my biu.' began, "is-" But with
half smile on her lips madame inter-
rupted
THAT is Of no consequence; the ques-
ton is your income"
And I could never decide what 80 melt
ed the old lady. whether 1t was the men
ton of my small per annum, or the mas
terly method OF my wolk.-Buffalo Even