St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-12-15
POTwIN'S TROUBLES
With DiIatory People

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nVER the telephone Potwin said Il
Mrs. Potwin: Il should like Il
break the record for once and get start
ed on time. It's 1880 a. m. now. Ok
you think, If you made a desperate
struggle, that you could start in ant
get ready by half-past seven? What''
that? Yes, l suppose so. l shall bt
home to dinner at five. Now, il yor
think that l am pressing you unduly
can just as well get the tickets fol
tomorrow night as motor some time
early next week. Oh, well, don't get
mad about it. Good-by."
"Going to the theater tonight" he
explained to the man who had excused
him a moment. Il thought l would
give the madam due notice, but l dom,
suppose it will do any good. She will
potter about in her sweet, irrespon-
sible way until half an hour before
schedule time, and then she'll inform
me that she had no idea that it was SC
late. There is fairly accurate clock
on the mantelpiece and she generally
wears her watch, to say nothing of the
facilities afforded by the grandfather
clock in the hallway, the cuckoo clock
in the dining-room and the half dozen
others scattered about the house. And
she hadn't any idea it was so late! II
she said she thought she had plenty OF
time there might be some foundation
for it. Not married man yourself
are you? I thought not. miss the
seams and burrows in your face and the
generally haggard expression that
comes after a few years association
with a woman to q man who loves
punctuality. I'm not an irritable man
myself, but it irritates me to have to
wait for anybody when set time has
been agreed upon. i never missed an
appointment in my life"
Generally speaking" remarked the
friend, Il .aerrst a man who never
missed an appointment in his life. /
happened to meet you here on time to-
day, but it was entirely by accident
and / don't suppose that it will ever
happen again. / abominate infallibil-
ity in poor, mortal creatures and I'd be
willing to bet you any reasonable
amount that you miss, on an average,
three appointments week. I'll bet
you miss one before the day is out"
III take you up on that for lunch, :"
said Potwin, briskly, "and I'll tell you
about it if do. Now, let's see if we
cant get that matter settled up"
The two plunged into their business,
which lasted for some little time. At
last Potwin said: "Well, you look in
some time during the afternoon with
the papers and I'll sign them. Let me
see. Can you get around by four
o'clock?"
The other man said he could. and with
q parting adjuration from Potwin to
be punctual took his leave.
He was back again five minutes after
the stipulated time and took Potwin's
reproaches good-humoredly. The pa
pers that he had with him were signed,
after some further discussion. and the
deal was closed. Then the delinauent
proposed refreshment. and, Potwin as
senting, they descended to the street
and refreshed themselves. After
awhile Potwin said: "Well, must be
going; I've got train to CATCH"
What time does your train leave p"
asked his friend, taking out his watch
and looking at il.
AT 4:45. and I've got five minutes to
get to the station"
Then you won't make it,"
Il guess that's righ.. but then
there's another at 4:50"
Does it take more than ten min
u.es to get out home?"
More than ten minutes to get out
to cak Park? 1 should say so. What
put that into your head?"
Nothing Particular said the
friend. "only you might as well give
up that you've lost your lunch right
Eow. / heard you tell your wife over
the phone that You would be back
by FIVE o'clock. I'm afraid you haze
missed your appointment with her.
DO 1 get the lunch or do you want to
appcal?"
You get the lunch," said Potwin.
laughing heartily to cover his dis
comfiture.
He was annoyed as well as discom-
fited. He considered that a trick had
been played upon him-an unworthy
trick That in the first place; and
then it was not to be supposed that a
business man could give up his busi-
ress in order to get home to dinner on
time. 1t was certainly small of the
fellow to take advantage of miscon-
ception OF the terms of the bet, and
it was, in a sort, dishonorable in him
to listen to q private conversation and
profit by what he had heard to the
injury of The man who confided in his
gentlemanly instincts. That was
about the way he felt as he went out
10 Oak Park. and the shadow Of his
reflections appeared on his face when
he greeted his wife.
After perfunctory dab at her face
he glanced d:sapprovingly At her
gown. g! saought you were going to
be all .esdy. SO that wouldn't have
to wait for you," he remarked.
did yo; ever know me to keep you
waitiDg?" asked the lady.
At this Po.win could do nothing but
gasp for a moment or two. When he
recovered he began to indulge in some
sarcasm, which his wife listened to
with calm and superior smile.
'l.et me ask you," she said when
he hal finished, didn't you sit for
20 ninrtes waiting for the curtain to