Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

tie surprise for you and after dinner we'u
get busy and have a little vaudeville.
The Billings mansion is a modest struc-
ture which nestles close beside the big
white apartment house where Billings
chief of division has residence.
Like a good chief he is a wool-dyed re-
publican, to whom all democrats smell
strongly of birthstone. Billings had called
on him deferentially shortly after they be-
came neighbors, and had secured the prom
ise of visit In return some evening when
1t would be mutually convenient.
1t occurred to Billings that the time was
about ripe and he would have him over
that evening to hear the new records.
So Johnnie was dispatched with a note of
invitation, and returned in due time
with the joyful Information that Mr.. D.
would be pleased to drop In for few mo-
ments Immediately after dining.
Billings was in the air. and In rosy
dreams Of political preferment played him
self across the board.
AS a preliminary to the entertainment Of
the distinguished guest Mrs. Billings placed
carefully on ice quart Of domestic cham
payne. which she had fugally saved since
her wedding supper for just such
emergency. Billings spent half of his re-
naming fifty for three blonde cigars, and
the children dug up the graphophone and
hammered 1t into working order.
After much fuss and furry everything
was ready and Billings, whose nerves were
on edge watched the clock and waited He
took turn at the parlor window and count
ed the Tree boxes across the way, Cnen DaCk
again to the clock examining the pendulum
to see If it was still swinging. He had
about reached the conclusion that the ex-
pected guest had been taken suddenly ill
or had fallen down the elevator shaft when
a clang at the door bell made him jump so
that he sprafned his neck and spilled
bunch of hot cigar ashes down the
front Of his new Christmas house
Jacket. Before he could dust himself off
the chenille portieres parted and Tuxedo
suit containing the ample person of typi-
cal political bureau chief entered and the
combination was duly deposited in the COM
duced by her Joyful husband, anxiously
asked her guest whether he did not find
the room too warm, while Mr.. b. pressed
him to one of the enemic cigars, and john
ME to be In festivities pulled his sisters
hair on the sly.
After the health Of the chiefs wife had
been duly inquired into and found to be
entirely satisfactory, and there was the
most positive and gracious assurance on
the part OF the chief himself that he was
entirely comfortable, Johnnie. as per pre-
vious arrangement, emerged from the
dining room Juggling the talking machine.
and followed by his sister, bearing the bum
die of Job lot records.
Johnnie. go away" exclaimed Mrs. B.,
also per agreement. Perhaps Mr.. D. does
not care for music" But Mr. D. intimated
that music was right where he lived and
added inst Johnnie was fine boy. In re-
turn for the compliment Johnnie permitted
sallow grin to play among his freckles.
and incidentally displayed yawning void
in his superior maxiHary where his front
teeth should have been.
By this time there was good feeling all
round, and the machine was placed upon
the center table. The chief tried to look
as though he was enjoying his pale cigar,
and Billings wound the thing up, carefully
placed one Of the cylinders in position and
adjusted the horn, so that his guest
might get the full benefit of what it con-
tanned It proved to be remarkably clear
record. but Billings soul was filled with
nMsgivings when, after a few preliminary
sputterings, the thing ground out: Made
for the democratic campaign committee
r-r-r-r-Fellow citizens. the democratic
party stands today. Billings knees
weakened: hut he somehow managed to
choke the machine off before it got any
further.
He muttered something about there being
mistake. and. removing the record with
trembling hands he submitted another.
He dared not look at his chief. whose face
shone above his expansive shirt front like
an apoplectc sunset
Again the internal machine ruled off the
shameless admission that the record had
been made for; the same UBIQUITOUS com
mfttee. Billings was somewhat relieved,
however, when strains of music followed,
but his spine gave way when he heard the
words. 1t was diabolical campaign glse
club which proceeded to vocally sew the
republican party up in bag and throw 1t
overheard
In despair he rammed another record
home and stood to the gun, but he was
condemned In the first sentence. His gen.
eral temperature was beyon, the reach OF
the thermometer. but his feet were frozen.
Mrs B. was paralyzed, and Johnnie and
his sister began to howl
The chief had arisen, and to poor Bill
ings' feverish eyes he seemed to I'LL the
The victim tried to apologize but his
tongue stuck behind his teeth and his jaws
fofsook the union
With a hasfy '.good-evening" the cliefs
disappeared through the portieres and
desofatfon filed the Billings parlor.
MrS b, said never, word save in nsr
efforts 70 quiet her Offspring Billings
stood for moment In dazed condition
then made dart for the ice box. and