The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-11-03
He Believed
in Signs

XkT1AT rot" said Mr.. Thompkins,
Wv standing still and gazing at the
front door of house he was passing.
Come, dear" said Mrs. Thompkins,
nervously. I'VE shall be late"
why don't people try to be sensible
If not coherent" went on Mr.. Thomp-
kins. gazing steadfastly at the door.
What is the matter?" asked Mrs.
Thompkins.
Look at that sign above the bell, :"
said Mr.. Thompkins. pointing majes-
tieally
Mrs. Thompkins looked. There was a
small brass plate above the electrical
button at one side of the door. The
plate said:
Ring the bell"
WELL said Mrs. Thompkins.
"WeIl?"
We'll" repeated her liege. 'Merciful
heavens, woman, are you, too. utterly
devoid OF brains?"
Moo. think not" replied Mrs.
Thompkins, doubtfully. still. don't
see what you are objecting to-"
Remain here" said Mr.. Thompkins.
1T is no use to waste explanations upon
you. l will show you. if you will but
listen to what object And l com
mence forth with with crusade l have
long contemplated.
Mr.. Thompkins moved majestically up
the steps of the house and proceeded to
ring the bell again and again A house
maid came to the door and asked what
he wanted Mr.. Thompkins paid no at
tention to her and continued to ring the
bell. The housemaid disappeared and
returned with her mistress.
What do you want?" demanded the
woman
Nothing" said Mr. Thompkins, and
he again jingled the bell.
why are you standing there ringing
my belI?" asked the woman, looking
down the street to see if there were any
policemen near by who could take the
lunatic in charge.
Il am ringing the bell" said Mr..
Thompkins, because the little brass sign
above the bell commands me to- was
passing the house and l saw the words
here. Ring the bell Although 1t is
causing me a good deal CT Inconvenience.
1 obey" And Mr. Thompkins continued
to push the button.
But" said the woman in tone of
voice which plainly showed she was fol-
lowing the injunction to always humor
crazy people. ''if you do not wish to
see anyone in my household why do you
stand there and ring the bell?"
''And why, if do not wish to see any
one in your household" said Mr.. Thomp-
kins, should brass sign be displayed
commanding me to ring the bell?"
you are not commanded to ring my
bell"
The brass sign, madam, says: Ring
the bell The phrase is apparently ad-
dressed to all who pass this way. If
you wish to command only those who
have business at this house to ring the
bell then change the phraseoloey of the
sign and do not leave it so worded that
it appeals as command to all who
pass this way"
Il wish my husband were home"
snapped the woman. HE would kick
you OF those steps"
That depends, returned Mr.. Thomp-
kins. politely. Anyhow. / have ex-
planned this matter to you. and If you
do not institute a reform the fault is
not mire. Good day"
Idiot" Kissed the woman.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompkins resumed their
walk downtown. Mrs Thompkins had
gloomy forebodings. She saw that her
liege had started out to institute a re-
form and he would not rest until he
disaster
They entered an art store. where Mrs.
wished to look at some pic
ture frames. The next she heard from
Mr.. Thompkins he was standing in front
Of the cashiers desk.