Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-12-05
AL0CK OF HAIR.

ADr0m SmOlIett 20 suggest the ga. 1O-
thario. He was the most commonplace.
not to say plainest, looking of mortals,
a respected member of the board of
trade and thorough business man.
don't suppose any woman excepting
Smollett's wife ever looked twice at him,
and yet Mrs Smollett was inordinately
jealous
Lydia got it into her foolish head that
Abram was spending more time IN his
office than he ought and became fright
fully jealous OF the typewriter, whom she
pictured in her own mind as a siren of
unlimited power over the other sex.
When she made an unexpected descent
upon the office. however, she found a
long-legged, red-haired boy battering the
keys of the machine, and the only woman
on the premises was the scrubWoman, Of
whom even Lydia could not be jealous.
Smollett is as methodical in his habits
as Well-regulated town clock. On
certain day every spring he leaves off
fannels and on certain day in the fall
he puts on oyersboes. Once in every two
years be has his watch cleaned at the
jewelers.. The time for renoyating his
thermometer came around lately and
Smollett left it with jeweler on Broad
way, in the shopping district.
Stocks were rather shaky about that
time, and he had to be at his desk early
and late to watch matters. He couldn't
find time TO go around after his time
piece and its absence was always bother
ing him, for he had to depend upon
church clocks, a French mantel clock
that was never known to be right half
day at time or his Wife's chatelaine,
and was always missing cars and being
late at appointments.
SO dear Lydia, with the best of inten-
II no of
herself with the watch, saying nothing
to SmolletU about it. When she present
ed the ticket ito the jeWeler he looked
at it and then at her.
This is a gentlemans watch, miss
Lydia blushed prettily. "Oh. yes, it's
my husbands she said.
He brought it from the safe and said:
Z think it's ali right, ma,am." He
snapped the case and opened the back
OF the watch to look at the works As
he did so a tiny lock of hair slipped out
upon the showcase.
The jeweler glanced at it and then at
Lydia. Her hair is a golden brown
The lock which had dropped cut of the
watch was yellow.
The jeweler was wise man; he was
Lydia. Her eyes were flashing and a
red spot burned on either cheek She
had seen the lock of hair, but he, out Of
the goodness of his heart, tried to shield
the victim. He closed the watch without
putting back the hair, and started TO
pack the timeDiece in box.
You have forgotten something" said
Lydia. n hard voice.
4 beg your pardon"
You have forgotten something" she
repeated, pointing to the yellow lock.
which he had sought to hide with his
cOatSieeye.
"Oh, that?' said this blessed Ananias.
4 guess you're wrong, ma'am. That's
bit e hair customer of mine wanted
me to put in a locket for him.
= saw II drop" said Lydia, with
callnness that GueIled the jewelers. glib
tongue Put it back in the watch
lie. obeyed; she paid his bill and swept
legaliy from the store. That is why
Sm0llett going home that night after
peculiarly veXing day. and longing to
forget business for Il few hours in the
society Of his charming little wife, found
III her place an iceberg.
Smollett was puzzled, but made no
comment. With women, rs in business,
Smollett's was a waiting game. He al
ways went Oh the theory that if he wait
ca long enough the other fellow would
show his hand. SO after dinner he re-
tired to the library with his paper.
His theory was again proved correct
She soon appeared but a glance at her
face assured him that there was little
change III the weather. He wished he
had ordered James to light Il fire in the
CRATE. She stood beside the table and
placed 4 box upon it.
There is your watch"
"Oh. thank you, my dear said the un-
suspicious Smolett. I'D never found
time 20 go around for it.
She made no comment, but watched
him take it out, snap it onto his watch
chain, and slip it into its accustomed
place in the left breast pocket of his vest
You beast. You br-r-ute!" she cried.
ira gically, and rs the hurricane of tears
burst she ran from the room and shut
herself into her own apartments again.
Poor Slnollett was thunderstruck He
tried. in 4 sneaking way, for the serv-
ants were greatly in evidence. to gain
audience with his We, but she would
not open her door, and he spent the night
on the couch in the library and went
downtown the next morning in 4 most
beEiIdered state of mind and an empty
state Of stomach.
Lydia ) actions so worried him that he
could not keep his mind on his business.
lie was irritable and generally fractions.
and the red-headed Young man suffered
accordingly. About noon Charlie Paget
IN cid friend and good lawyer, came
ia. Charles eyes twinkled, but his man
ncr was solemn.
See here, Abram,' be said whats
this ! hear about you?'
q. short: Tisat yarns stale snapped
'F ~" sir. Something more serious than