The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-09-11
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9 MI 9 bling and discontented
4 N1 He gazed morbidly dowr
1oN the path leading to tho
road.
"Well, I'm absolutely certain, Bess
4hat I'd extend both arms TO welcome
even burglar or lunauc, in this
wretched place"
"You talk foolishly, George. BE
thankful that you are on the road To
recovery"
But, say this is hermits life"
Haven't you your cigar and good
digestion?
"Oh, I know all that. But want q
little change, little diversion. Why,
i tell you" he exclaimed savagely, "if
the veriest hoOdlum should happen
along just now, I'd bind him with ropes
and lcg-rOns TO make him stay, and
apply hot iron to make Inn talk"
"Would you really resort to such
extremes after hearty dinner"
"Oh, tho pleasure of that is over-Tvc
eaten it, and he held up his cigar med
itativcly.
"Well, perhaps, dear, you would en-
JOY breaking the dishes" suggested
Mrs Stesler mildly. There are lots
of exciting little ways for amusement.
you know. Indeed, some gentlemen,
i believe, find the most divine bliss in
the simple experiment of smashing the
stove"
$50 I've heard" replied her hus-
band
And, too, I've heard Of an indlvid-
ual with the habit Of saving OFF the
legs of the table"
IL hope he found il divertng"
"Oh, indeed, a enjoyable diversion" +"
she said, toying dreamily with her fork.
''He had an inventive genius that was
truly marvellous"
Inventive. how"
when he tired OF saving the table,
he playfully pulled his wife's ears.
The ear part, however, was invariably
settled in police court"
"A delightful gentleman. certainly"
"Well, at any rate, he rarely com
planned of ennui." Then she added
after moment, "Do you fail TO find
these little suggestions Of any use TO
you"
"Wby, Bess," said he, shamcfaccdly,
'snrely I'm no savage. I'm merely
longing for little amusement Now,
for instance If some one should happen
along with hearty, ringing laugh
that you read about i'm stories. | think
I'd find myself more c0ntentcd."
Wouldn't dinncr.horu sufficiently
arouse youY'
A hurried step on the porch inter
rupted her remark, aud Mr. Stesler
fairly jumped out of his chair in eager
expectation as n knocl, sounded on the
door. A large ruddy faced man loomcd
in the doorway, and at sight of Mr..
Stesler broke into such roar of laugh
Ter that both man and wife turned
red and exchanged glances.
What do you want here. my good
man" demanded Mr. Ssesle,, becoming
exceedingly embarrassed, however, as
the stranger held his sides and per.
sisted in his mcrrimcnt
Mr.. Stcsler carefully examined his
own shoes, his coat, his sleeves. found
his tie all right then turned bewild-
cred look of inquiry toward his wife.
What, in all creation, is the mat
ter?" he broke out finally in loud. fer
ocious accents. But the stranger still
laughed on.
rs this humorous from your point
of view, Bcss?" but Mr.. Stcsler's re-
mark was drowned in the vociferous
enjoyment OF the man outside.
Wont you come in?" his wife po-
Etely asked, hoping TO break the spell.
and Mr.. Stesler motioned the visitor
invitingly to chair.
The stranger then entered and set
tied himself in the easy chair. lighted
one of Mr.. Stesler's cigars. and
stretched himself out in more comfort
than grace
William" said he ut last moving
his hand authoritatively toward his
host, william. / should like the morn.
ing paper"
"Niy name sir. is not william. | am
Mr.. Stesler-Mr. George Stesler."
And, William" continued the stran.
ger. totally disregarding the remark,
bring my slippers-slippers and morn.
ing paper" and he puffed away at the
cigar with most provoking ease.
Mrs. Stesler, somewhat bewildered.
was inclined TO smile at her husbands
discontinue. The stranger. however.
soon addressed her with the same inn.
pudent nonchalance.
And you, Molly darling. bring my
coffee and rolls. I'll eat here. And
don't forget the flowers; am very
fond of flowers"
MY dear man." exclaimed Mr.. Sizes
Ter, ARE you aware that this lady is
my wife, Bessie Stesler. and that you
are carrying your joke father farg"
The man, raising his brows. stared
aggravatingly at Stesler; then. with n
patronizing smile as he resumed his
paper, he said:
"Ah. William. you're the same mis-.
chievous rascal as always. But I'll
not reprimand you. Molly nodding
toward his hostess. my coffee and rolls
ss soon rs possible. please"
He shifted his cigar from one side of
his mouth to the other. read up and
down the column, turned the page
and continued his evident absorption
Mrs. stesler silently adjourned 10 the