Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-10-15
MS S7ESLER'S DIVERSION

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 i'm
pudent nonchalance.
And you, Molly darling, bring my
coffee and rolls. I'll eat here. And
don't forget the flowers; I am very
fond of flowers''
My dear man." exclaimed Mr.. Stes-
ler, "are you aware that this lady is
my wife, Bessie Stesler, and that you
are carrying your joke father far?'
The man, raising his brows, stared
aggravatingly at Stesler; then, with a
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
as soon as 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 to the
kitchen, leaving her husband staring
in dumb amazement
MY dear sir, what may your name
be, if I may ask?' Mr.. Stesler Ques-
toned, after few moments silence
my name? my name? All, yes, yes
"a very good joke. I've heard it be-
fore, though. William, tell Molly I
| want the coffee Immediately, and
plenty of cream. And, William, shove
the table nearer my chair. 1 find this
very comfortable; I believe I would
rather not be disturbed. Thank you.
| Now the footstool, William. Yes, there
thank you, I'm quite comfortable"
Mr.. Stesler. heartily ashamed of him.
| self. nevertheless obeyed.
"Well, by Jover' he mentally ex-
claimed as he slapped his thigh and
gazed thoughtfully at his guest, ''well,
| by Jove"
"You want to swear, no doubt, Will
| liam. l somehow feel that you want
to swear. But defer it for the present.
| Just few mild comments are all I
permit I'm very sorry, too, for some
thing in your attitude tells me that
you can scarcely control yourself. Oh.
1 nearly forgot I want my shoes
brushed. They're rather disreputable.
Clean them, William"
Mr.. Stesler betrayed his reluctance
and disgust as the man held up a pair
of mud-incrusted boots. He took them,
however, and very delicately placed
them just outside the door. The man
resumed his paper, but soon added
with some impatience:
William, you are in my light. Move
| aside, please"
/ Some seconds of silence ensued be-
fore he broke out with great guf-
| faw.
"Well?" demanded Mr.. Stesler.
II was mercy smiling over patent
medicine. They say here that it will
cure rheumatism and consumption. /
used it on a mule once. 1t cured him
Of baking, but he died within few
hours. I afterward used it to kill off
all the rats on the premises. Oh, here
you are, Molly, at last. The repast is,
indeed, welcome. But more butter
please. I like lots of butter. Only
three rolls? I eat sfx-always six
Molly. Always remember that in fu
ture. And white cups? prefer blue
Or, at any rate, some little decoration
on my china. The coffee is very good
but I like it little stronger and 8
little earlier, too. In fact, William.
shall expect you to bring it to my
bedroom before I rise'
Man and wife exchanged worried
looks and glances, and were immedi
ately startled by another loud, vocifer
GUS roar.
"I'm always having the most delight
full dreams. I dreamed last night tha
you wanted me to rob you. And dis
tinctly remember giving you a paten
medicine. You liked the flavor, ant
gave you more. And Molly tool
the rest. Oh, shall ever, ever forge
what jolly, dancing corpses you mader
and he pushed back from the table :