Smyrna times., 1902-01-15

him from any duty but such as he
could find on the place.
He had been two months on the
place before he spoke more than doz-
en- 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 $12 due him,
Rnd Wilkins had only twenty dollar
bill.
"All right. Green" said the big heart
ed suburbanitP. Here's a twenty.
You can bring me back the change.
And. let's see. here's my commutatiOn
ticket. It'll save you paying railroad
fareS.''
Mrs. wilkins overheard this talk and
when Green was out of hearing pro-
claimed her husband a foOl-a waste
full, gullible. stupid fool.
THAT man Green will never come
back" she snapped. ''See him.! point
ing across the lawn. He's not even
going toward the depot. He's tramp.
maybe a murderer. and he's gone OFF
with your money and your ticket. Will
kins. you're simpletOn!'
wilkins was a 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 s O'Clock train
| had passed and there was no sign or
the missing gardener. Then the door
bell rang and the girl announced "a
lad, to see Mr. wilkins" He found
YOU yiSh woman. with much jewelry
ant Fry pink cheeks. smirking at him
as uttered the parlOr.
"m. wilkins" she began. IA lady
fren' o. mine what lives out here tells
me thcys a man workin' for youse, an
if amt much mistaken he's my hus-
band. He's tall. slim. sandy feller,
don't talk much. and-he's done time
at Joliet. and
Mrs. Wilkins entered here.
What do you want with him? ask
ed the lady of the house.
The visitor was beginning to eXplair
when wilkins heard footsteps falling
family on the walk outside. He slip
ped quietly out of the room and int
the yard Green was coming up the
back steps into the kitcnen when VIII
kins stopped him with, well, se'
you're back all right"
Eyes. sir" said the gardener pullin;
out the railway ticket and SS. There
your change and the ticket"
wilkins noticed that the latter WASH
punched.
81 walked" explained the man. e
don't like trains
wilkins led him across the lawn an
told him that there was woman !
the parlor claiming to be his wife.
"A blond vulgar looking woman
said Green.
. "Yes. She's in there now talking
my wife"
= "Well. sir. if you'll just let on thf
you didn't see me this evening. I'll
: grateful I'm tired now, and | don
| want to see that woman, III ledSL III
: tonight. Please say that I'm not hel
and won't he back till tomorrow"
So Green skunk off to bed. and IL
blond woman was sent away, promi
ing to call again. In the morning NJ
wilkins found Green's bed unrumple
On the coverlet was a new leath
whip, with card inscribed: For ToI
=, my. Goodby." The Wilkinses nev
saw or heard of him again. and MI
wilkins never knew that he had con
-. home that night with the change al
:, the ticket.
Il always knew he was scamp
Il she said proudly. Il knew he'd ri
away. and he did"
~ We'll. don't blame him.. mus
- wilkins. lighting his pipe and smilil
~, at the memory of the blond WON;
with the brummagem jewelryS Il
, run away myself under the same g
- cumstances Chicago Record Hera