The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-03

iy refused to DO her bidding. explain
ing that Mr.. wilkins bad absolved
him from any duty but such as ne
could find on the place.
He had ,een two months on the
place before he spoke more than a doz-
an words to his employer. He had
worked WELL asked no favors. made no
mistakes. Under his assiduous efforts
the Wilkins place had taken on new
signs of prosperity and beauty. Then
he came to Wilkins one evening and
said that he'd like to spend one day in
Chicago. He wanted to buy some
clothes. he said. and would like TO
have his pay. There was S12 due him.
and wilkins bad only twenty dollar
bill.
"All right. Green" said the big heart
ed suburbanite. Here's a twenty.
You can bring me hack the change
And. let's see. here's my Communication
ticket. It'll save you paying railroad
fares.''
Mrs. wilkins overheard this talk and
when Green was out OF hearing pro-
claimed her husband fo0l-a waste
full. gullible. stupid fool.
THAT man Green will never come
back" she snapped. ''See him." point
ing across the lawn. Hes not even
going toward the depot. He's a tramp.
maybe a murderer. and he's gone off
with your money and your ticket VIII
kins. you're a slmplptonr'
wilkins was q little doubtful when
he noticed the course taken by his
''model hired man" The next evening
added to his misgiving. for at sundown
Green had not returned. Mrs. wilkins
began to gloat when the O'Clock train
had passed and there was no sign OF
the missing gardener. Then the door
hell rang. and the girl announced "a
lady to see Mr. wilkins" He found a
youngish woman. with much jewelry
and very pink cheeks. smirking at him
as he entered the parlor.
"Mr. wilkins" she began. "a lady
frpn' O. mine what lives out here tells
me theys a man workin' for youse. an
II ! amt much mistaken he's my hus-
band. He's q tall. slim. sandy Teller.
don't talk much. and-he's done time
1t Joliet. and
Mrs. wilkins entered here.
"What do you want with him" ask
ed the lady of the house.
The visitor was beginning to explain
when wilkins heard footsteps falling
family on the walk outside. He slip
ped quietly out of the room and into
the yard. Green was coming up the
back steps Into the Kitchen when vii
kins stopped him with. well. l SEE
you're back all right"
"Yes. SIR" said the gardener. pulling
out the railway ticket and s. There's
your change and the ticket"
wilkins noticed that the latter wasn'l
punched
Il walked" explained the man. 81
don't like trains"
wilkins led him across the lawn and
| told him that there was woman In
the parlor claiming to be his wife.
"a blond. vulgar looking womanT
said Green.
..Yes. She's In there now talking t.
my wife,"
"well. sir. IL you'll just let on thai
| you Qfont see me tuiS evening. o'
| grateful I'm tired now. and ! dom
| want to see that woman. nj least no
| tonight. Please say that I'm not her,
and won't be back till tomorrow"
So Green skunk OF to bed. and thu
blond woman was sent away. promis
ing to call again. In the morning Mr.
wilkins found Green's bed unrumpled
On the coverlet was q new leathe
whip. with q card Inscribed: For Tom
my. Goodby." The Wilkinses ueve
saw or heard Of him again. and Mrs
wilkins never knew that he had conn
home that night with the change ant
the ticket.
81 always knew he was scamp.
she said proudly. Il knew he'd rul
away. and he did"
well, I don't blame him." muse'
wilkins. lighting bis pipe and smiiin'
at the memory Of the blond wompl
with the brummagem jewelry. ~
run away myself under the same cir
cumstances."-Chicago Record-Heraid