The Press., 1903-01-22
SHE AND
THE IMP
BY A. G. ROWSEY
Copyright. 1901. by Il. S. Richardson

| lie went TO Dre2k1aSt IullV prepared
and determined to speak about it
| When half through the meal. he com
| promised with himself-he would just
| hint.
| Yet the evening came. With it his
| laundry and the lanGlady. and the
| hint was not yet given.
Mrs. Halstead was the landlady, OF
| the mother of two the relict of three, u
as the cheerful idiot in the ballroom
| epitomized her He was only a coun-
| ter jumper the landcady scornfully
remarked before she fired him.
Mrs. Halstead had watched the old
| man all day. In her mind he had been
construed and reconstruct into a pos
sible fourth in the "alsO ran" class,
whereby she should change her name
and later wear Grape. For three
months at one time she had flutterings
around the heart because of an air of
embarrassment about him when he
looked at her. Finally he told her
about some mice that had invaded his
closet In her eyes it was evidently
only a hasty excuse when his courage
failed him.
The "old chump," as she called him,
had recently assumed mourning and
remained in his room all day. These
two things urged Mrs. Halstead to en-
courage him to speak his mind, argu-
ing quite accurately that some one had
died and he had inherited.
in, no ire r
er laying the laundry on the bed.
Grimly she waited.
Mr.. Peters was rejoiced at her lin
gering.
The lean old man paced the floor,
| favoring her at every turn with look
| of indecision.
Mrs. Halstead," he began hesitat-
ingly-he seemed to be talking to the
rosebuds on the carpet-'I have-hem
wanted to speak to you about He
flushed, closed his thin lips obstinately
and continued his walk irresolutely.
"Was there ever such an old foOl?''
she said to herself under cover of her
apron-her face had a habit of perspir-
ing under mental pressure. "About?'
she queried in her smoothest tone. Her
supplemental toilet was finished.
Yes, about His heart forsook him.
"Well, l guess another time will do,
Mrs. Halstead." He sat down, trem-
bling.
In the glare that she threw at the
back of his bald head the orange bios
SONS were dropping. dropping and go
ing.
Now, Mr.. Peters," she coaxed,
hadn't you better get it off your mind
once and for all? know'd you wanted
to say-something"-oh the coy ways
of forty-five years and $50 pounds
| "and-and couldn't jest get the hang of
it-how to say it, l mean"
Her words were very grateful to
him.
perhaps you are right; only 1
thought-it might-be considered-er-
eccentric-er-imbec
I'D like to see any one say so, sir"
she bristled, like a porcupine, or as
only landlady can. "They would not
stay in this house and say it. Be-
sides, l think every-every one"-shy-
ly-"rather expects it."
"Oh, indeed. Well, l am sure-still,
it is very gratifying-very, very" said
the old man. You see, the newspapers
say there are 300 of them to choose
from. Do you think you could get
nice, pretty one-for me?'
She was bewildered, but not entirely
nonplused. From experience she knew
the old man had habit Of speaking
adjacent thoughts" aloud.
"You won't mind the children? en-
deavoring to bring him round to the
main chance and at the same time as
certain the future status of her two
little darlings.
"Why, bless you, no." he exclaimed.
81 love children-always have-er-
good ones Now that feel financially
able to care for one, 1 want to indulge
myself. 1t has been the dream Of my
life" The old man was talking to
himself. II have lived a lonesome
life l never had a hobby, like other
men, except this" Then he turned to
her. 81 prefer a boy. not too old-two
or three years, l trust. would be old
enough; also. while l think of it, will
pay you for any trouble he may cause
you" Mr.. Peters drew forth his wal
let His face was full of a tremulous
excitement.
Mrs. Halstead mentally heard dull
thud as the bottom fell out Of her
hopes. But she did not show it when
the old man placed bill and news
paper clipping In her palm and dis
missed her with "Please get him to-
morrow, poor little chap! l suppose
they feed them on bread and water.
He must be hungry" For. If the truth
be known. the old man had in his early
youth been an item of public expense
owing to the bibulous habits of his
male progenitor.
A forlorn hope presented itself to
her. "Why Mr.. Peters. why don't you
get married and"- Her modesty
would not allow her to proceed.
BLESS my soul.' And he scratched his
bald head dnbiously, then meditatively.
Presently he gazed at her attentively.
81 don't know-I-never thought of it."
She fluttered with the quiet agitation
of her weight. age and experience.
Hem. Well. I'll-it won't make any
difference. I'll try the boy first"
1t was a month later. He sat with
his knees wide spread and his elbows
resting on their bony knobs. His heels
Were hooked In the rung of his chair,
and his careworn old face rested in the
palms of his upturned hand7. In front
OF him, on another chair, was the
youngster, Robbie, crying,
What Is the matter with him.
now?" the old man asked himself
YEARLY. The child yelled. The fos-
ter father clawed his ears with his
wrinkled hands and hoped, in a de-
spairing fashion. that Mrs. Halstead
would come to the rescue. Then he
her look of disa: .,roval at the
mess around the child. Toys of
every scription-pictures and picture
books, his watch, fancy bottle stop
pers. about everything not nailed-was
there. Still the imp cried: Mamma!
Mammal Yobbie wants mammal!