The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-12-05
"A Desperate
y r e m e dy
[orlginal.l


+ It happened when was attending
medical lectures. One day l went
from a clinic to my room, sat in my
easy chair and lighted pipe. ex-
pected my mother, who was coming to
town. at any moment.
Great Scott! What's that?"
From my bedroom came clear. me
lodious whistle. The air was, "Oh, lis
ten to the mocking bird" and after the
chorus came an excellent imitation of
the birds notes. When 1t was finished,
d sweet feminine voice said:
!: "why don't you do your part Billy?'
My name is not Billy, and never
did any part in the song Of The Mock
ing Bird"
What occupied my mind was who
had taken possession of my bedroom
to give such concert. got up from
my chair and proceeded to find out.
The door between the two rooms open.
ed, and there stood n very pretty girl.
We stood looking at one another for
moment equally astonished. Then
she executed the feminine device, tax
en- doubtless from the bird which bur-
les its head in the sand to avoid being
seen. of cIapplng her hands to her
face
rhere is evidently some mistake"
remarked.
'An awful mistake"
'rHow did you get into my bedroom?"
81 thought 1t was Billy's."
ssWho is Bllly?"
ssMy brother, Billy Tanning"
why, he's my chum. Hts rooms are
next to mine.r
There was a knock Mt my sitting
room door. The girl shrank back In
to my bedroom, and closed the door.
Turning, there was head looking In
to the room-my mother.
Dear boyp
HDear motherT'
oh, If there were only door open
ing from my bedroom into the hail!
But there was no such door The girl
could not leave my room except by the
one we were in.
"You are tired, mother, at climbing
the stairs. Sit in this chair and rest"
put her in the chair and listened to
and asked the usual questions after
separation,
~ haven't any refreshment to offer
Won. mother, dear. but If you'll just step
next door to the rooms of my friend
Billy Tanning dare say can find
something"
II don't want anything. have only
an hour to spend with you and must
get right to work Mt your linen"
.gThere's not a break In 1t. l looked
over everything carefully last night
and I'll look over everything care
fully this morning"
She arose and was going to my bed
room. Indeed she had her hand on the
doorInob when stopped her.
Smother" said, with u trembling
voice.
"oh. my boy, what's the matterf'
"AIother, before you go in there l
have something of Importance to com
ado tell me, quickl Has anything
happened7"
"AIother, I'm engaged"
Engaged and without consulting
your poor motherI oh, Roger, how
could your
"And, mother, my hancee Is in that
/, room now attending to my linen"
.Your fiancee in there! Then III
never speak to herF'
.'But, mother, it's worse yet. haven't
told you all. I'm married. It's my wife
who is in there"
Poor mother sank into my arms and
groaned.
..uother, when you see her you'u be
delighted. She's lovely. She's Billy
Fanning's sister"
II don't care who she is, Ill have
nothing to do with her"
u. Now. had purposely talked sufti'
iently loud for the girl in the next
vSoouI- to hear. She did hear and lent
herself to my desperate makeshift-
She opened the door and stepped bold
ly out.
"Siother, this is NIiss-I mean my
wife. I know you win love her and
she VIII love you"
The girl walked up to mother. kissed
her and asked In voice into which
she cunrlved 10 throw a tremolo, Car
you forgive usT
"You are n very sweet looking girl,
4 4 - my, mother, somewhat appeased.
SSf$s cs, mother, and when you've
SYn her as long as l have you'll ad
IS rs lovely as she looks"
,SS sri turned away suddenly
IS opposed 1t was to hide hel