Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-05


| thought possible out of the pages Of q
comic weekly.
The manner of Mrs. O'Hearn changed as
| changes the face of nature under the sud-
den burst of the tempest. She released the
dog, which sprang again at the tree trunk,
and her utterance was one long inspiration.
"Oh. ho-o-o-o-o,' she emitted, with slight
questioning infection and her blue eyes
showed the glitter Of steel. "Oh, ho-o-o-o-o!"
Arms akimbo she looked up at him.
$50 We aire the president Nv the railroad?'
The Venerable Gentleman, reconsidering
his determination to come down, clutched
| the tree branch firmly and called out
| warning to the engineer who had again
| sought to climb the fence and again found
himself beset by Nicodemus.
That" he answered, is my office.
Now"
He wondered why the woman was so in
| terested In this fact. but his affirmation,
exultant cry from the squat figure beneath
him.
Thin We aire the same wan that's been
kapin' out the price NV COW this
tree months" proceeded Mrs. O'Hearn.
"Ye-'
She cast about for an expression that
would at once convey her contempt and
anger.
I'VE murtherer." she concluded.
The trio at the fence, now enjoying the
exclusive attention of Nicodemus, since it
was obvious that the woman commanded
the situation a the tree, resorted to missile
throwing. The Venerable Gentleman looked
perplexedly about him.
Upon my soul, my good woman" he
ventured, you surprise me. I know moth
ing of your cow. You have surely mistaken
me for some one else. l do not recall that
1 have ever before been in this locality
Yell reminder it, thin from this, jyous
sthlrrin' 'tills I've me equivylint an me
restitution for the evil we've done me.
It's the prisidint of the road says the
station agent, that Is considerin' your
~ ha oil jOhf
in tonne but he's a very busy man! Ye're
not so busy but We can put your hand to
yer pocket an produce the $50 for the cow
we've murthered in cold blood along Nv your
ignarant injine drivers an she dom no
harrum to thin amy wan. An It's
the extra money l want for the milk I've
bought since me bereavement
The situation seemed clearer.
GU do not, then, accuse me Of driving
off your cow" asked the Venerable Cen
tleman.
"Dhrivin' her OFF," repeated Mrs.
O'Hearn, striving to compass her scorn by
raising her voice to it's highest pitch IT'S
maxim mincemeat Nv her an wild no sthop-
pin for an apology that 1 claim We to be
the rid-handed assassin We aire"
Il do not run the engine" asserted the
Venerable Gentleman. uselessly. IF you
have lost a cow. Mrs. O'Hearn, through any
carelessness Of the employees of the road
you may be sure your claim will receive due
consideration. You can hardly expect to
advance 1t, however. by keeping me here.
Anu y Ou nave Deen mlSlDf formed, The
ldent OF the road does not adjust these mat
tiers that come out of the-the misfortunes
OF cows Your claim has probably been
delayed"
rushing past her In gleeful pursuit of a
rock thrown by the engineer came wiggling
back licked the rolling pin and returned to
| the fence.
consideration" exclaimed the lady .Jt,s
today that me equivylint comes to forty
dollars and eighty cints, an it's in the
three yen SHAY an ye're hired murtherers
| lookin on from tn fence beyant like goril-
| las in cage before 1 sthir from the sphot
or call Off me dog-an' luck to him for
KNOWN, thafe whin he sees wan"
Inc venerable Gentleman started to par
| ley, looked bew1ldereG, sighed and fumbled
| in the breast pocket of his coat He finally
wlthdreW a somewhat worn pocketbook.
bulging with papers. From these he ex-
| as well as he could in personal safety the
pockets OF his trousers. He finally gave up
| in dismay.
Il am sorry to say that 1 haven't the
| amount you ask. If you will accept $40 I
| assure you the remainder will be forthcom-
| ing
Mrs. O'Hearn raised the rolling pin.
declared '' Siie
But, as 1 have told you, do not nos
| sess the amount. rarely carry with me
| any ready money he addeo with a shade
| OF evaporation. as If Mrs. O'Hearn couId
| have been previously acquainted with his
habit in that regard. MS
You can git It," asserted 1.-THE amazon
| infexibly. o-A"Noi'
The Venerable Gentleman sighed again
| and called out to the engineer:
u say, Hawkins, do you happen to have
any money!"
| "A few dollars sir"
| Il have little change" supplemented
the fireman. while the conductor reached
| into a pocket.
IF the three Of you could make up a
l lie honI
4 we cannot remain here arguing with this
woman. l shall ask you to loan me 500
An 80 cints." interrupted Mrs. O'Hearn.
| EXactly, acknowledged the Venerable
gentleman, although not agreeably land
| 80 cents"
/ Ihere was search Of oyeralIs and
| biouses, and. in the moment Of suspense,
the president considered that It would not
| be at all unlikely that the ridiculous situa-
| ton would be further complicated by the
| discovery that the combined wealth OF the
CROWD did not make up the meager sum re-
CURED: He was also conscious that Mrs.
| OHearns ''equivylint." even If forthcom-
irg was financially small beside the sums
| he would consider 1t a pleasure to spend
on gold watches and other presents for at
| least four OF his employees There are in.
cidents in the lives Of railway presidents
| that should not become common gossip
and the Venerable Gentleman particularly
disliked to be featured in anecdote
He was consequently relieved when the
| was Aoi tiSoIilia8, 10 lQ0 maj ID
cent piece. contribution from the porter
This. by direction, was thrown over the
| fence to be guarded by Nicodemus The
two bills huttered from the hand Of the
| president, and Mrs. OHearn, picking them
up. turned them over carefully. Then she
moved over to the second collection, and.
satisfied with the accuracy Of her count
and she was not quick at coin values cali
ed the dog grasped 1t by one ear, and am
| bled back toward the house with no con-
| Guiding word. But she evidenced her faith
by locking Nicodemus In the barn. where
upon the Venerable Gentleman descended.
| When the dog was released, and shot off
| down the pasture to renew the sport. the
special had gone. He shifted at the tree,
and. presumably living over the late ad-
venture in his Imagination, barked in q
paroxysm of joy.
How Authors Fail