Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-11
Shelter Appreciated.
(By Margaret Pulling.

a bachelor of irreproachable habits. In
all business transactions h is a pattern
of rectitude and punctuality. 1 have
known him to fly into a passion because
his h~aberdasher by some oversight failed
to present a bill against him for three
dollars and seventeen cents until more
than a month had elapsed after the pur-
chase was made. The discovery that
the preceding month had closed with a
debt standing against him in the books
of that haberdasher seemed to shock
Shelters feelings and in some way to
wound his pride.
1t was by mere accident that I hap
pened to be present when Shelter re-
received this shock, and not for worlds
would I venture TO allude to it in Shol-
1erS hearing. / only mention it here
because it illustrates the mans punctil-
i0us honesty; an honesty which, I am
sure, would not allow him to sleep If he
Were conscious of having wronged any
one to the extent of five cents. Even this
mention of the incident would have been
suppressed if my friends name really
were Shelter.
And yet, strangely enough, he did not
seem TO attract people.
a few days before Christmas he spoke
slightinsly Of the great festival, calling
- - -"N' CO o'ii''iht u tilb lGiS litS
great stress on the inconvenience it &C.
caSioned by i~nterruDting the regular
course of business.
"Sholter," 1 said, "knowing you to be
sirsly blessed. I need not ask if you are
a father. But l will ask you, are you an
urcie?'
ono, I am not he snapped out.
Then | understood.
When I again saw him in the last
week Of the year, Shelter carried a new
umbrella. What was more notable, he
wore q new silk mufIier. though he
never was in the habit of wearing q
muller, ever in the coolest weather. The
umbrella. was handsome and silver
mounted, the muftier handsome and silk
ell. Moreover, Shelter wore an unusual,
CHEEKY. If somewhat conscious. smile.
1T looks to me- l said iocuiarly. "as
if you hadn't made such a bad business
of your Christmas, after ALL"
no, l assure you, [ didn't" Shelter
made haste to answer. Then, as if sud
denly inspired, he added, Say. I wish
you would come up to my rooms and
see all the nice things 7 got"
Long as we had known each other, I
had never before been invited by Shelter
to visit his rooms. It was startling to be
summoned thus on q sudden to see what
Santa Claus had brought him-him to
whom Santa Claus, as Il furnisler who
neSlects monthly statements, might have
DGGI supposed an dDoillliilirI. ny Il
osity was piqued.
Shelters sitting room is a neatly and
properly furnished apartment, How
ever, when | entered it l remarked a
superiority of hair brushes, for a sitting
room. There were four new hair brushes
two ~pairs-one pair with silver mount
ings, another plain, but handsome and
substantial. There was also a fine hand
kerchicf case, with bows and trimmings
that betokened a feminine origin. a
leather case that lay, open, on the side
board displayed a set of tasteful shlr'
studs and sleeve links in bloodstone.
'All this must be very gratifying &c
you, Sholter,'' 1 said. d you know, ]
have always supposed you to be a self
conferred, inexpensive sort of man
Here shelter looked up at me quickly
and. as I thought, with an expression OF
challenge. But he said nothing, SO
went on in an apologize and explana-
tory tone:
What I mean is, you are not the Sofl
of man to whom-to whom-that is
'"To whom anyone would feel kindly
enough to send a present at Christmas
Yes, you did. Well, just listen to his
came with that handkerchief by mail
See? Rv MALL" And he read aloud
"eMy dear Mr.. Shelter, I wish not only
to wish you the compliments Of TIM
blessed season, but to express to you a.
we'll as I can by this little gift thai theF'
is at least one friend VINO appfeClate'
you" ao;.
"II'm, From a young LADY, SAID
Sholter replied, rather oraculariy,.
thought. as he fastened to fold up tn
letter and put it back in his pocket
"NOw, take this one-With that UNI
brella- Wishing q Merry Christina
and a Happy New Year to a really goo
fellow whom the world at large doe
not respect That's nice, isn't it?'
Does ones heart good to hear It,.
said. 1T seems to me that you are dis
covered, Sholter.'
How do you mean," he asked suspi
ciously. -,
"How do I mean? Why, all thes
ladies'
."Fhev are not ladies'" he interrupted
.I1,st listen to this. This one was foide
up inside the box with those studs. lam
by mail, registered. L can not let Cniis,
mas pass without sending you a ilt'
token to testify to my appreciation I
your many sterling qualities OF Do
head and heart. Others may fall 10 st
this. but | did not. Believe me, In deep an
cordial regard, yours etcetera' what u
you think of that?"
'Nha makes him emphasize your
your unappreciatedness?' l asked eau
tiously.
MOI q bit of it,
sIi struck me-" I said, that all thes
gentlemen seem to take a dehant att
tude-"