The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-04-11


waterbutt Arnie has killed the fatteI
calf Tor him. but I think he IL getting
tired OF veal, and wifi soon disappear
again
Yes" said the oil lady: "Adolphus
looks upon this az a place where ne can
recruit himself before wandering away
into fresh fields He was not born IN
the suburbs. hut came from Mary's home
when her father died. Sometimes | should
Ike TO be Adolphus and wander in the
same way"
"F5e. AYntie; with your rheumatism.''
But n ! we're a cat ! shouldn't have
rheumatism
Percy missed the last train ard had
10 trudgc back to Holloway on foot The
rain fell. the wind howled. ar,i the mud
splashed over him. Policemen suddenly
flashed bulFs-eye laltens on his face.
hoping 10 discover A missing murderer;
baked potato men prOffered their foury
wares in equally howery language; In
ebriated royEteTers sntredted him 70
Give II a name" bu, he made his way
through all these distractions as If he
neither felt nor saw them. When he
reached his own rooms and got into bed
the rain ceased. A star shone almost
quizzically through the window blind He
was very tired, but could not sleep. The
star grew brighter, then there were two
Were they stars or Mary Blane's eyes,
son a. the shining o. an angsrs hair
stars? No; they were eyes; and AGOlphus
sat at the foot OF the bed Adolphus
hinged al him with the toasting fork
After a desperate struggle, Adolphus
changed into The reptile and Percy
ran him through with the tOasting fork
and, vowing never to be taken alive, the
young fellow sprang out OF bed into the
chill Wintry morn.
by Jove," he said to himself. vigorous
~ performing what Mr. Bouncer would
call his "absolutiOns." Never had such
mixed dreams in all my life. What's the
matter with me? / won"
Breakfast, sir; bloster, sir, or addick?"
asked his landlady from the other side of
the door
Bother your bloaters." said Percy.
Didn't / tell you kippers?"
Mrs. McKiunOn Tetreated down the pas
sage murmuring something about bIoaters
were now very fashionable" being ''the
rich mans luxury and the poor mans
friend"
II can't be in love" he said. obviously
gazing at the empty marmalade jar. mo
'--N.+4 az Nv NgNAA tfaA ShNA o biNahAuSA %
this. And yet"
The clock struck g. II must be Off he
said "Or the reptile will mark me down
as late. Sometimes i think he puts The
clock on; but I'll be even with him this
morning"
He bounded out Of the room, which did
not look nearly so cheerful after he had
left it. and STROBE away in the direction
Of the city.
Mrs. McKinnon sadly gathered up the
fragments of the despised bloaters. None
left for my own breakfast" she said,
mournfully, though / cooked one hextra
on purpose He's got the veracity OIrs
McKinnon loved long Words of an os-
trich.'
The projected visit to the theeter took
place. Miss McCosh shedding many pity
ing tears over the hunted hero as he
staggered through a canebrake, and stage
bioodhounds bayed ferociously in the dis
lance. Contrary to all precedent. she
eVinced great interest in the villain of
the piece. and was delighted to see him
re-appear smiling at the end HE was
such cheerful villain. Mr.. Clarke" she
explained: but 1 am afraid l must not
go again OF / shall get all my ideas tOpsy
turVy."
The morning after HIS visit to the thea
ter Percy was informed by 1.-THE reptile"
that Mr.. Smudge-Mr. Smudge was the
head of the firm: Dot and Perkins were
the juniors, and they dealt in rosin-wish-
cd to see him I'm his private room. THE
reptile looked so pleased that Percy felt
something was wrong, but he was not
prepared for the avalanche which burst
on his devoted head.
Don't 20. Tugs" CTuggs was THE
ReDtile"0. said Mr.. Smudge grandilOquent-
". 1T is only fair you should hear what
takes place. Now. Mr.. Clarke, are you
prepared to give any explanation of your
conduct with regard to the young person
al the aerated bread shop round he cor
ner?" And Ny. Smudge paused for re-
ply, putting his thumbs in his waistcoat.
Il shall have very much pleasure in doing
So said Percy. If you will be good
enough 10 explain yourself.
-ExDlain myself spluttcred Mr.
Smudge
Yes in what way do you'll speak with
all deference-arrogate to yourself the
right of interfering with my actions after
1 leave YOUR office"
The right. young man. said Mr.
Smudse solemnIy, "of preventing your
behaving yourself disgracefully | don't
approve Of my young men going to thea
ters.''
And yet" s,tid Percy II fancied | saw
Mrs. Smudge in a private box last night"
The great man WAS amazed. That a
mere clerk should presume TO criticise the
actions of Mrs SmudGe took his breath
aWav. but withal he was not a bad-heart-
ed man.
You see. sir" said The Reptile" soft
", he has no explanation TO offer"
Il can quite imagine from what source
YOU derived YOUR information" said Percy
quietly. "Of course, the. statement Of this
laeksl is beneath contempt. May ask IL
you have everSseen anything IN my con-
duct which would lead you to believe such
a charger"
well, no / haven't" said Mr. Smudse,
but ! don't ike my young men taking
girls to ffeateIs
And vet on the statement of man
VINO Is universally desr ised in the office
YOU assume that | am guilty and are pre-
cared - condemn me unheard''
Mr.. Snudse spluttered again. 1t was
monstrous that clerk should treat him
as an equal.
Il have no alternative but 10 discharge
you" he said
And what about this fellow" said
Percy. turning 10 The Reptile" IF |
could prove 10 YOU his statement is made
malciOuslv. and with the idea of fevens-
ing himself upon a young lady whom he
has perseeuted for some months past.
would you not consider that he ought 10
be discharged?'
''The ReDtile" G1aked.
Don't listen 10 him. please sir" he
said: I've only been tryin' to do my
dooty. Because I've 'ad the misfortune 10
b. OF 'umbIc birth he looks down 1 pom
me-"
Il am afraid I cannot reconsider ms
decision. said Mr. Smudge You not
only fail 70 answer the charge which is
brought AGAINST you but you asperse
the character OF one in whom / have i'm
pllcit confidence"
''Tha, being 80. there is an end of the
matter" said Percy; but before / go
should ike 10 have five minutes private
conversation with you
Mr. Smudge looked uneasily around.
He hae heard Of desperate murders com
mitted by discharged clerks. and did not