Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-01-04
! POTWIN'S TROUBLES
With DiIatory People

aver the telephone Potwin said to
Mrs. Potwin: ~ should like to
break the record for once and get start
ed on time. It's 1880 a. m. now. Do
you think, if you made desperate
struggle, that you could start in and
get ready by half-past seven? What's
that? Yes, i suppose so. shall be
home to dinner Mt five. Now, IL you
think that / am pressing you unduly
i can just as well get the tickets for
tomorrow night MS motor some time
early next week. Oh, well, don't get
mad about il. Good-by."
"Going to the theater tonight" he
explained to the man who had excused
him a moment. II thought i would
give the madam due notice, but don't
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 1t was so
late. There is n fairly accurate clock
on the mantelpiece and she generally
wears her watch, to say nothing Of the
facilities afforded by the grandfather's
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 il was so late! II
she said she thought she had plenty Of
time there might be some foundation
for It. Not married man yourself,
nre you? ] thought not. 1 miss the
seams and burrows in your face and the
generally haggard expression that
comes after few years association
with n woman TO man who loves
punctuality. I'm not an irritable man
myself, but II irritates me to have to
wait for anybody when a set time has
been agreed upon. ! never missed an
appointment in my life"
"Generally speaking" remarked the
friend, 81 detcst 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 l don't suppose that II will ever
happen again. l 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 a week. I'll bet
you miss one before the day is out"
''I'n take you up on that for lunch"
said Potwin, briskly, "and I'll tell you
about it if / do. Now, let's see II we
can't get that matter settled up"
The two plunged into their business,
which lasted for some little time. AZ
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 ether man said he could. and with
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-hunoredly. The pa
pcrs that he had with him were signed,
after some further discussion, and the
deal was closed. Then the delinquent
proposed refreshment, and, Potwin as
senting, they descended to the street
and refreshed themselves After
awhile Potwin said: "Well, I must be
going; I've got train to catch"
What time does your train leave?"
asked his friend. taking out his watch
and looking at II.
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 $3.50"
Does it take more than ten min.
utes to get out homer"
to Oak Park? ] should say so. What
put that into your head"
Nothing particular. said the
friend, "only you might as we'll Civ,
up that you've lost your lunch right
now. l heard you tell your wife over
the phone that you would be bacl
by five o'clock. I'm afraid you hnv,
Do get the lunch or do you want t,
appeal?"
"You get the lunch," said Potwin
laughing heartily to cover his dis
comfiture.
He was annoyed as well as discom
flied. He considered that q trick ha,
been played upon him-an unworth
trick. That in the frst place; an
then il was not TO be supposed that
business man could give up his bus
ness in order to get home 10 dinner o
time. 1t was certainly small of til
fellow to take advantage Of miscor
ception of the terms of the bet, an
It was, in Sort dishonorable In hiI
90 listen to private conversation an
profit by what he had heard to tn
INJURY of the man who confided in h
gentlemaniy instincts. That We
about the way he felt as he went o,
10 Oak Park. and the shadow Of b