The Somerset reporter., 1900-04-12
PRISONER OF WAR
A Landlord Goes to Collect His
Rent and Instead Cots Col
lected Himself.


mo rent again this month. This is
the third time it has happened within
the half year I'll go there myself and
get the money, or III know the reason
| why
Matthew Deane was in particularly
bad humor this raw December morn
ing. Everything had gone wrong.
Stocks had slllen when they ought to
have risen. his clerk had tipped over
the inkstand on his special and pecul-
lar heap of paper, the fire obstinately
refused to burn in the grate-in short.
nothing went right. and Mr.. Deane was
consequentlyand correspondingly cross.
"Jenkins!'
Eyes, sir"
go to the Widow Clarkson and tell
her shall be there in half an hour and
expect confidently Jenkins. con-
fidently-to receive that rent money, or
else | shall feel myself obliged to re-
sort to extreme measures. You under
stand. .Ienkins?"
certainly, sir"
"Then don't stand there staring like
an idiot!' snarled Mr.. Deane in a sud
den burst of irritation, and jenkins dis
appeared like shot.
Just half an hour afterward Matthew
Deane brushed the brown hair just
sprinkled with gray from his square
yet not unkindly brow. Putting on his
fur lined overcoat, he walked forth in
to the chilly winter air fully determin-
ed figuratively to annihilate the de-
faultlng Widow Clarkson
1t was a dwarfish little red brick
house. which appeared originally to
ave aspired to two storyhood lot. but,
'amped by circumstances. had settled
Town into a story and half but the
windows shone like Brazilian pebbles.
and the doorsteps were worn by much
securing. Neither of these crcum-
stances. however, did Mr. Deane re-
mark as he pulled the glittering brass
sons neat parlor.
There was a small fire-very small,
as If every lump of anthracite was
boarded In the stoye-and at a table,
with writing implements before her,
sat young lady whom Mr. Deane at
once recognized as Mrs. Clarkson's
niece, Miss Olive Mellen She was not
disagreeable to look upon, though you
would never have thought of CHASING
her among the beauties. with shining
black hair. blue, long dashed eyes and
a very pretty mouth, hiding teeth like
rice kernels. so white were they.
Miss Mellen rose with a polite nod.
which was grimly reciprocated by Mr..
Deane.
II have called to see your aunt. Miss
Meuen."
81 know 1t. sir but as | am aware
of her timid temperament | sent her
away. | prefer to deal with you my
self"
Mr.. Deane started. The cool audaci
ty of this damsel in gray. with scarlet
ribbons In her hair. rather astonished
him.
81 suppose the money is readyY'
mo, sir; IL Is not"
"Then. Miss Ollve-pardon mel
must speak plainly. | shall send an ofIi
Ger here this afternoon to put a valua-
ton on the furniture and
You will do nothing of the kind
sirr'
Olives cheeks had redeemed. and her
eyes flashed portentously. Mr.. Deane
turned toward the door but ere he
knew what she was doing Olive had
walked quietly across the room. locked
the door and taken out the key. Then
she resumed her seat.
What does this mean calculated
the astonished prisoner of war"
at means. sir. that you will now
be obliged to reconsider the question"
said Olive.
"ObligedY"
Eyes. You will hardly jump out of
the window. and there is no other
method of egress. unless you choose to
go up the chimney. Now. then, Mr..
Deane. will you tell me If you, a Chris
tian man In the nineteenth century,
intend to sell poor widows furniture
because she is not able to pay your
rent? Listen. sir"'
Mr. Deane had opened his mouth to
demonstrate. but Olive enforced her
words with a very emphatic little
stamp of the foot and be was. as 1t
were, stricken dumb.