Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-17
HE-SHE AND
THE IMP
By A. G. RoWsEY
Copyright, 1901, bv A. S. Richardson


He went to breakfast fully prepared
and determined to speak about 1t.
When half through the meal, he COM
promised with himself-he would just
hint.
Yet the evening came. With It his
laundry and the landlady, and the
hint was not yet given.
Mrs. Halstead was the landlady, or
''the mother of two the relct of three"
as the cheerful idiot in the ballroom
epitomized her. HE was only coun-
ter jumper" the landlady scornfully
remarked before she fired him.
Mrs Halstead had watched the old
man all day. In her mind he had been
construed and reconstruct into pos
sible fourth in the "also ran" class,
whereby she should change her name
and later wear Grape. For three
months at one time she had fiutterings
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 it was evidently
only 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 10 EN-
oourooa him, IN sneak his mind argu.
ing quite accurately that some one had
died and he had inherited.
So she pumped herself In chair art
er laying the laundry on the bed
Grimly she waited.
Mr.. Peters was rejoiced at her lin
gering.
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 on the carpet-"1 have-hem
wanted to speak to you about He
flushed, closed his thin lips obstinately
and continued his walk irresolutey.
WAS there ever such an old foolF'
apron-her face had habit of perspir-
ing under mental pressure. "AboutT'
she queried in her smoothest tone. Her
supplemental toilet was finished.
Yes, about His heart forsook him.
"Well l guess another time will do,
Mrs. Halstead." He 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 1t off your mind
once and for all? know'd you wanted
to say-something the coy ways
of forty-five years and 1S0 pounds
'and-and couldn't jest get the hang OF
it-how to say 1t, l mean"
Her words We're very grateful to
him.
Perhaps you are right; only L
thought-it might-be considered-er-
eccentric-er-imbecilic-senile'-
"Pd like to see any one say so, sir,
she bristled, like a pofcupine, or as
oIlS Il ldHtiduS tah' ih'S "oaiN 'iOs
stay in this house and say 1t. Be
sides, | think every-every one'-shy-
ly-"rather expects it
"Oh, indeed. Well, am sure-stlll,
it is very gratifying-very, very" SAID
the old man. You see, the newspapers
say there are 3Oo or them 10 choose
from. Do you think you could get a
nice, pretty one-for meF
She was bewildered, but not entireiy
nonplused. From experience she khe"
the old man had habit OF speaking
adjacent thoughts aloud
you won't mlhd the chiiureh' eh-
deavoring to brlng MN rouhd 10 the
main chance and at the same tlme as
certain the future STATUS OIL her t"o
little darllnSs.
Nhy, bless you no. he eAeiaiiiieu'
Il love chllaren-alwuSs nave
good ones NO" thal ieei iii'aneiahs
able 10 care for one want 10 lhuuise