Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-10-05
BRowNsoN's REFORM.
HIS Nights Experience ON the Porch
Roof Was Better Than q Tenn.
perance Pledge.

Wnen brOWnSOn returned nome AZ
three o'clock the other morning and
crept quietly upstairs it was with
devout hope that Mrs. Brownson would
be asleep. Not that Brownson was at
all Intoxicated, but he was later than
he should have been, and he knew it;
and he knew that Mrs. Brownson knew
it. So he took off his shoes at the head
of the stairs and hung his coat over
the banister. Once in the room and
the confoundedly squeaking door closed
behind him. he heaved a sigh of relief.
The faint light of early dawn which
stole through the windows showed him
his wife slumbering peacefully. Breath
ing subduedly, Brownson undressed.
He yearned for breath of cool night
air, and SO stole to the nearest window,
making wide detour of the rocking
chair, which had been maliciously fol-
lowing him about the room. The screen
was down, and Brownson, feeling the
necessity of having the breeze blow up
on his fevered brow, undid the patent
fastening at the bottom, raised the
screen as far as it would go and leaned
out.
At that moment Mrs. Brownson
started uneasily, and Mr.. Brownson,
seeking fight, dived through the case
ment onto the little porch and sank
prone upon the crealing tin roof. And
as he did so the screen came down with
crash that sent his heart leaping into
his throat. And presently he opened
his eyes again and listened. All was
still. He thanked his stars and took
several breaths of air, cool from the
lake. Then he decided to go to bed.
But-there was the screen! The patent
catch had performed it's duty; the
screen was fast, immovable.
." -! s.! ~" This
is what Brownson remarked to the little
sparrows.
The breeze from the lake grew cooler
grew thinner and thinner and wrapped
itself indecorously about his limbs. His
teeth chartered, his head ached, the
sparrows chuckled and chartered
among themselves in the tree near by.
The dawn frightened; milk wagon
ratified noisily past, and Brownson dove
unceremoniously behind the little iron
railing. At last endurance failed.
"Emmaline!" called Brownson, in as
debonair whisper as his chattering
teeth would allow. Silence. Emma
Incl" More loudly this time, and with
added pathos. But still no answer.
'Emmaline!" A husky, agonized cry
now, emanating from the depths of
Brownson's chilled soul. And then
came sound through the impenetrable
screen; Mrs. Brownson was arising
from her couch.
''Emmaline!" whispered Brownson,
piteously. He heard the sound of soft
ly closing door. Then again silence.
And then-horrors- subdued sound
of the telephone bell in the pantry!
.And-but why dwell on such pain
full scene! Brownson, shivering and
pallid, robcd like martyr for the stake.
stood upon his bleak eyrie and assured
IT,. crew of the patrol wagon from the
Chicago avenue station over and over
again that he was Brownson = the
H-ownson John Brownson - Brown
son who lived there! And as he ex-
planned between his nervous teeth he
heard over and anon the subdued sound
of giggling, subdued but unmistakable.
from behind the yet closed screen. At
last, when the screen was raised, Brown
son uttered no word, but crept stagger-
ing to bed and pulled the clothes high
above his head.
And Mrs. Brownson, as she took the
curriers' out of her hair. winked wicked
ly at her smiling reflection in the mir
ror.-Chicago Inter Ocean.