Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-19

We'll. this is pretty state of
things" said Mrs. Cochran from be
hind the bed. How do you suppose
we're going to close our front door
with that great bed IN the way"
You won't need to close ii. No one
will come in while der bet is derc. 1t is
besser as door" And the German
laughed uproariously and fatty.
"Oh. but this is too awful said
Mrs. BENTLEY, wringing her hands
helplessly.
Il should think ii was" came the
voice of Mrs. Cochran from the other
side of the bed
"Is your husband in there? Can't
he help push?" suggested Mrs. Bent
ley.
NO." snapped Mrs. Cochran. "1e
hasn't come home yet. and. what's
more. he can't until this barricadc Is
removed. How anybody but fool
could have bought such monstrous
thing don't see-'
At this juncture Mr.. Cochran came
up stairs. with Mr.. Bentley just he
hind him. MFR. Cochran looked puz.
zled. Mr.. Bentley groaned He had
come home too soon.
What are you doing to the bed:"
asked Mr.. Cochran.
I've amt doin' a ting to i'd" said
the fat German joyously
Bentley and Cochran laughed. but
Mrs. Bentley saw no humor in the re
mark. and certainly Mrs. Cochran saw
no funny side to the bed. Both sides
seemed tragic to her.
"Is that you. George?" she called
out
"Yes. it's me- Shall come ing
You can't except by the fire cs.
cape" said Mrs. Cochran despairingly
What are you doing with it in the
wrong door?" asked Mr. Bentley of
the expressmen.
"Sure. 'twould have shtook as fasht
in amy dure." said the Irish express
man. and the German roared sympa
thetically.
Mr.. Cochran is man of action.
Here: we four men ought to be able
to move a little be-a bed. Now, alto
gether: pullv'
Mr.. Cochran is a successful politi
clan. but he had the wrong kind of
pull with him. and the only result of
the effort was that Mr.. Bentley pulled
of some Of the moldng and fell on
his back.
Nothing daunted. Mr.. Cochran said.
Lets go around by way of the fire es-
cape and push"
The two expressmen and Mr. Coch
ran made nothing of passing from
Mrs. Bentley's parlor to Mrs. Coch-
rams parlor by the fire escape. but Mr..
Bentley Is light headed and had to be
helped across-by his wife. Then the
two entered the Cochran apartments.
for the first time. like thieves in the
night.
Now all six combined their strength
at them.
"Well. nothing more can he done
now" said Cochran. THE bed is here
and it's got to stay here for the pres
ent. Now, you men might as well 90
about your business. You've done what
you set out 10 do-the bed is up here
fast enough"
Bentley OF the German.
1.-TWO dollars. I'll sent arount car
penter II you wand"
"Oh, no. said Mrs. Bentley. Hell
be able to move It,"
Back across the fire escape was Mr.
Bentley helped by his faithful wife.
and then they babe the Cochrans good
night. 1t was such an impossible thing
that had happened that everybody felt
good natured once more. just as In a
blizzard or a period of excessive heat
people make light of their misfortunes
and passersby joke one another.
Next morning Immediately after
breakfast Mrs. Bentley went down to
the bed company to see whether they
could suggest n way of getting the bed
out of Mrs. Cochran's doorway.
They had moved. and big sign in
the window bore the legend. ITO Re
Opened In a Few Days as Ladies'
Lunchroom."
For the space OF two days that bed
stood in the doorway while carpenter
after carpenter came and looked ut 1t
and shook his head and went away.
Then came one who said: "I've seen
those beds before. They amt worth
botheriEg with. The company's failed
that made them. Now. next door to
my shop Is vacant lot. and if cut
| the bed to pieces | guess you can
dump IL there and the owner of the lot
won't mind"
Mrs. Bentley hailed the scheme as a
heaven sent proposition. Mr.. Bentley
was down town. and Mrs. Cochran
who was on the other side chatting
with her-for in spite of what had
come between them they were now
quite friendly-seconded the plan.
The carpenter borrowed an ax of the
! janitor. and In n half hours time with
the exception of the mirror. which
was preserved intact there was not
square foot Of the bed unbroken
The carpenter sent the pieces down on
the dumb waiter and then took them
away and presumably dumped them.
Mrs. Cochran spent five minutes shut
ting and opening the door. 1t was so
pleasant to be able to do II again.
Then Mrs. Bentley invited her neigh
Dor into her fiat and apologized for
making so much trouble
"It was no trouble ut all. my dear
1t has made something to talk about"
Now. Mr.. Bentley seemed to think