Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-06-04
Mr.. 6owser's Birthday.

weeks, but had been careful not TO
mention the matter to Mrs. Bowser.
His idea was to Jump over" the day
without giving II away.
He feared it might be brought up
at the breakfast table, but Mrs Bow
ser seemed to have entirely forgotten
that the month of April had anything
TO do with him. He got away from
the house to draw long breath Of re-
lief, and none of his fellow passengers
on the street car appeared to notice
that he was a relic of the last centu-
ry.
1t was only when he reached home
again at 6 o'clock in the evening that
be got jar. When Mrs. Bowser had
greeted him she asked him to step IN
to the parlor for minute, turning up
the gas she proudly pointed to a new
armchair and said:
You see, l haven't forgotten what
date it is. This is your birthday pres
ent.
Il don't think it is" he STAN
mered in reply.
ooh, but I'm sure Of it. I've had
it in mind for month. Yes, you are
So years old today, and | wanted you
to see that I remembered it. "
"Why didn't you remember that I
was 1862"
Because that's 100 years too much.
Do you like the chair"
"Um. Who said l was 55?"
"Why, you are, Of course. 1t was
in the old Bible which we lost when
moving. You are not ashamed OF
your age, are you?
"Of course not; but don't talk nom
sense. If there is any record in that
old Bible, I don't know who put it
there. l am either 49 or so today.
Have you been gadding all over the
neighborhood to say I'm 55?"
mo, dear; l only said so to Mrs
Warner, and, of course, she didn't
keep it in mind three minutes Why
don't you want to be as old as you
arc2"
Didn't I say was 49?" shouted
Mr. Bowser, as he fastened one of his
coldest glares on her face. "YOu keep
that in mind and don't add a century
to it. I was told yesterday that
didn't look day over 81, but I own
up to 70 years beyond that.
The cook had been told that it was
Mr.. Bowsers birthday, and she had
taken extra pains with the dinner
Her work had been success, and
naturally enough she felt proud Of it
When she heard the head of the house
come down she felt privileged to say
Your ffty.flth birthday, sir, and
let me congratulate you and hope you
will live to be 100 years old"
Mr.. Bowser stopped short and
looked at her and then waved her
aside, and the almost heart-broken
girl escaped to the kitchen and shed
tears over his ingratitude.
$50 the So business has got down
here, has it?' he asked of Mrs. Bow
ser, as be carved the steak.
Il must have told her 55, she an
swered, "but III set her right after
dinner. I'll say that we made mis-
take OF six years in your age"
1t was good dinner, but neither
enjoyed it, and now and then the
tears stole into Mrs. Bowser's eyes as
she remembered that she had not even
received thanks for the chair. The
meal had just come to an end when
the door bell rang, and a boy handed
in bottle of wine. 1t was labeled
For Bowser to drink on his fifty
fifth birthday. and may he live to
drink many more.
"Who in blazes brought this?' de-
lnanded Mr.. Bowser. as the girl hand
ed him the bottle and he read the
card.
"a boy, sir.
"a boy, eh? Well, I'd have liked
to got hold Of him for a minute. How
dare any Que insult me like this?"
my dear, no one intended to IN
cult you" protested Mrs Bowser. at
was sent in by some friend of yours to
for you to celebrate on, aud, Of course,
he thought it was your ffty-ffth birth
day"
But by what right did he think
SO? Is it the general idea on this
street that ! was born about the time
the battle of Bunker Hill was fought !?