The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-12-04
HESHE AND
THE IMP
BY A. 9. RowsEY
popwtoA,, 1901, ov A. S. Richardson

Il
promised with himself--he would just
hint.
Yet the evening came. With II his
laundry aud the landlady, and the
hint was not yet given.
Mrs. Halstead was the landlady, or
"the mother of two. the relict Of three, "
as the cheerful idiot in the ballroom
epitomized her. "He was only coun-
ter jumper" the landlady scornfully
remarked before she fred him.
Mrs. Halstead had watched the old
man all day. In her mind he had been
construed and reconstruct into a pos
slble fourth In the "also ran" class,
whereby she should change her name
and later wear Grape. For three
around the heart because OF an air OF
embarrassment about him when he
looked at her. Finally he told her
about some mice that had invaded his
closet In her eyes 1t was evidently
only a hasty excuse when his courage
failed him.
The ''old chump," as she called him,
had recently assumed mourning and
remained In his room all day. These
two things urged Mrs. Halstead TO en-
courage him to speak his mind, argu'
ing quite accurately that some one had
died and he had inherited.
So she pumped herself in chair aft
er laying the laundry on the bed.
Grlmly she waited.
Mr.. Peters was rejolced at her lin
gerlng.
The lean old man paced the floor,
favoring her at every turn with look
Of indecision.
Mrs. Halstead." he began hesitat-
ingly-he seemed to be talking to the
rosebuds OH the carpet-"I have-hem
wanted to speak to you about He
flushed, closed his thin lips obstlnately
and continued his walk irresolutely.
"Was there ever such an old fOOl|'
she said to herself under cover Of her
apron-her face had a habit Of perspir-
ing under mental pressure. About
she querled I'm her smoOthest tone. Her
"Yes. about His heart forsOOk him
We'll. guess another time will do,
Mrs. Halstead." lie sat down, trem-
bling.
In the glare that she threw at the
back OF his bald head the orange bios
SONS We're dropping dropping and go
ing.
"Now, Mr. Peters" she coaxed,
hadn't you better get II of your mind
once and for all? know'd you wanted
To y-something"- the coy ways
Of forty-nye years and 1sO pounds
"and and couldn't Jest get the hang of
it-how to say II, mean"
Her words were very grateful to
him
Perhaps you are right; only l
thought-it might-be consldered-er-
eccentrlc-er--i mbecilic-senlle"-
"Id like TO see any one say so, sir"
she brstled, like porcupine, or as
only n landlady can. "They would not
stay i'm this house and say II, Be
sides, | think every-eyery one'-shy-
ly-"rather expects IT,"
"Oh. indeed Well, am sure-stlll,
It is very gratifylng-yery, very" said
the old man. You see, the newspapers
say there are 800 of them TO choose
from. DO you think you could get II
nice, pretty one--for meT'
She was bewlIdered. but not entirely |
nonplused. From experience she knew
the old man had habit OF speaking !
adjacent thoughts" aloud.
"You won't mind the chlldren| en-
deavOring to bring him round TO the !
main chance and at the same time as
certain the future status of her two |
little darlings.
"Why, bless you, no." he exclaimed. |
II love children-always have-er-
good ones. Now that feel financially |
able to care for one, want 20 indulge |
myself. Ii has been the dream OF my /
life" The old man was talking to
himself IL have lived lonesome |
life. never had a hobby. like other ,
men. except this" Then he turned 10
her. Il prefer boy, not too old-two
or three years, trust, would be old
enough; also, while think of II, | will
pay you for any trouble he may cause
you" Mr.. Peters drew forth his wal
let His face was full of a tremulous
excitement.
Mrs. Halstead mentally heard a dull
thud as the bottom fell out OF her
hopes, But she did not show IL when
the old man placed bill and news
paper clipping in her palm aud dis,
missed her with please get him to
poor little chap. | suppose
they feed them or bread and water.
He must be hungry" For IL the truth
be known, the old man had In his early
youth been an item Of public expense
lwlng 10 the bibulous habits Of his
male prOgenitor,
A forlorn hope presented itself to
ler. "Why, Mr.. Peters, why don't you
get married and Her mOdesty
would not allow her to proceed
Bless my soul" And he scratched his
iald head duhiously, then meditutlyely.
PRESENTLY he gazed at her attentively. I
1 don't know never thought OF t."
'he fiuttered with the quiet agitation
4 her weight. age and experience.
Hem! Well. I'll-it won't make any
Inference. III try the boy first"