Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-16
He Believed in Signs

say1TIAT rot said MT. Thompkins.i
 WV standing still and gazing at the. front door of a house he was passing.
 Come, dear" said Mrs. Thompkins.I nervously. we shall be late"
 Why don't people try to be sensible If not coherent?" went on Mir Thomp-f kins, gazing stsadfaatiy at tho door.
 What is the matter?" asked Mrs, Thompkins.
 Look at that sign above the bell, \ said Mir. Thompkins, pointing majes- ideally.
 Mrs. Thonpkins 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. rnompkins. aWeIl?''
 We'll" repeated her liege. 'sMercifuf heavens, woman, are you, too, utterly devoid ofbrains?n
 .tNo-o, I think not replied Mrs. Thompkins, doubtfully Still, don't see what you are objecting to-.
 Remain hsre,' said Mir. Thompkins. 'sTt is no use to waste explanations upon you. will show you, if you will but listen to what I object. And con1- mence forthwith with crusade have long contemplated 7
 Mir Thompkins moved majestica1Iy 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. MT. 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 MT. 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.
 ''T am ringing the bell,'' said MT. Thompkins, because the little brass sign above the bell commands ne to. was passing the house and saw the words here, Ring the bell Although 1t is causing me good deal Of inconvenience, ! obey" And Mir Thompkins continued Go push the button.
 'sBut,'' said the woman in a tone of voice which plainly showed she was fol- lowing the injunction to always hurnor 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 MT. Thomp- kins, should brass sign be displayed commanding me to ring the bell?''
 sYou are not commanded to ring my bell"
 'sThe brass sign, madam, says: Hing 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 phraseoIogy of the sign and do not leave 1t So worded that 1t appeals as a command to all who pass this way"
 T wish my husband were home" snapped the woman. He would kick you otf those steps"
 ssThat depends, returned MT. Thonp- kins, politely Anyhow, have ex- plained this matter to you, and if you do not institute reform the fault is not mine. Good day"
 Idiot" hissed 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 re- form and he would not rest until he encountered disaster.
 They entered an art store, where Mrs. Thompkins wished to look at some pie- ture frames. The next she heard from MT. Thompkins he was standing in front of the cashiers desk.
 The suburban train No. 445, wn1cA due to leave our station at 8: 23 8. m. did not leave until s:s3 this morning said MT. Thompkins.
 This is an art store and not rail road depot, said the cashier, stiffiy.
 The cook did not get home until ont o'clock this morning continued MT ThompkinE, and as result breakfast was half an hour late.',>
 The cashier motioned convulaively fol tho proprietor of the store to come to hea resaaa Ths pFnprsstoi IT lxsa ap AAr