Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-10-15
moment to give them the full benefit
Of his merriment.

| moment to give them the full benefit
l OF his merriment.
| Mr.. Stesler was by this time really
alarmed and unequal to the occasion.
He motoned vainly for his wife to call
| the neighbors. But she was so con-
| fused that she failed to understand his
frantic appeal.
| After eating greedily, the visitor sat
| back and nonchalantly waved his
hand.
William, shave, please. TIL re-
| main here. You can manage, think -
Mr.. Stesler brought a shaving mug
and razor
Now, William, not too close, If you
please Put on plenty of lather. Molly,
| hold the mug, also the mirror in front
OF me, so l can see what William is
doing. Ah, yes. that's comfortable.
Continue. William
With a shaking hand and pallid coun-
tenance, Mr.. Stesler proceeded to shave
| his guest, possessing only enough pres
| ence of mind to hope the razor would
slip and relieve the gentleman of his
| head. The impromptu barber had
barely finished when the stranger ner-
vously motioned away the mug, the
| mirror and Molly.
william, the lawn is hopelessly dis
| reputable. Indeed, I'm surprised at
the evident carelessness about the
place. Get out the lawn-mower, and
I'll superintend. Great land o. Goshen!
| don't stand there like that! Go to
work, sayp'
Mrs. Stesler was somewhat amused
at her husbands predicament. Her
guest had no sooner caught sight of her
surrepttiOus smile than he quickly
added:
MY slipper dropped off, Molly, pick
it up
Both man and wife burst into a
hearty laugh at their own chagrin.
The guest glared very haughtily.
"No levity, please. No levity," said
he, curtly.
He walked about the lawn a few
moments studiously examining the
shrubbery. ''Now, Molly, the garden
rake; and see that you gather the
leaves and brambles into little piles''
He strutted about the yard, pointing
sternly, frowning, ordering, loud in his
up proceeded but slowly. In the midst
of their despair the sound of wheels
arrested Mr.. Stesler's~ attention, and,
pulling his wife frantically by the
arm, he made an heroic dash toward
vehicle that just then tore into the
yard. Two men hastily sprang down
from the seat and rushed past with set,
mysterious faces.
''Bess, is this a dream?" asked Mr..
Stesler, anxiously.
"Why, no. This is nightmare.
Didn't you know?''
Their guest was growing still louder
in his imprecations as the two men
from the vehicle approached.
Il feel insulted, outraged! I told
you, James. not to come for me so
soon," he said with lordly dignity. He
was backing away with subtle, sus-
picious movement, when the two men
hastily bound him with ropes and fast
ened handouts on his wrists.
HAS he harmed any one?" asked
one of his captors, anxiously address
ing Mr.. Stesler.
Stesler stared vacantly and shook his
head absently.
"He is one of our worst patients, and
killed his guard this morning"
ga lunaticr exclaimed Stesler.
"Yes''
"Sir," said the lunatic, Indignantly,
II am gentleman of humor.'
The guards bound him securely in
| the vehicle and drove away. Mr.. Stes-
| Ter was somewhat confused from the
| excitement. He finally found himself
| in his easy-chair, his slippers scattered
about, his shaving-mug on the floor,
his razor lying suggestively near, the
| tobacco jar turned over, his pipe lying
| broken on the threshold, the table all
disordered.
"Wel1, dear I'm sure you have had
your little diversion, haven't your
| asked Mrs. Stesler in quiet, little
manner all her own.
Eyes, strange to say, I have. And
| I didn't have to nip your ears or saw
| off the legs of the table either" and
| he lighted cigar and began quietly
| to think it over.-NeW York Weekly.