The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-20

The red and yellow hammock between the
cherry and maple trees at the back OF the
house was gently agitated. the deep fringe
sweeping back and forth rhythmically over
the dusty space OF ground beneath. The
motor power within its ample recess was
q rotund gentleman In a pink striped shirt
"a suburbanite. without doubt. upon his
native heath. The wristbands OF his shirt
were unfastened and Mapping, the mois-
ture Of. a warm summer dusk glistened
In little mercury-like globules upon the
shiny part OF his head. He waved de-
partment-store sized palmleaf fan languid-
~. and the expression OF his face was that
OF a goodnatured but very tree man.
The family dog in the shape of ami
mated half-grown collie suddenly brought
an astonished family cat around the corner
OF the house, through the currant bushes
and over the low picket fence of the side
yard at a tearing pace. yelping delighted
" as he got one farewell nip OF the ruff
fed feline tail at the critical moment OF
ascent.
The mau In the hammock paid no heed.
The summer dusk was creeping down
prettily beneath the trees in a shadowy
mauve half-tone, the sky overhead vas Of
soft pinks into clear, unclouded zenith
blue that one sees often in hot summer
dusks. The stars in tiny points were wink
ing cheerily into life here and there, and
the voices OF tree-toads and crickets smote
pleasantly In a tiny, dreamy undertone
upon the ear.
The surroundings. with the exception OF
the collie and the cat. were conducive TO a
Nirysna state OF consciousness: and, be-
sides, the man In the hammock was too
tired to expend the amount OF energy our
foolish Organization calls for ia getting
angry. He merely smote accurately upon
the sudden cessation Of a metallic mosquito
buzz about his person, and waved the palm
leaf fan.
Suddenly the small snap OF the sideyard
gate sounded. and the man in the ham,
mock pricked up his ears. Steps sounded
upon the cinder path coming his way
through the dusk, and then the foolish
young collie voclferously ushe-ed a tall
figure, clad in friendly suburban style,
sans coat, sans hat, sans formality, into
The presence OF the man i'm the ham,
mock.
Hello! That sou, Thomas 1t said
The man In the hammock returned the
greeting automatically. Hello, George" he
said. Then he rolled over comfortably.
facing the newcomer, and waved the frayed
palmleaf fan genially towards the steamer
chair done in rustic branches near by.
"Have a seat
The newcomer eyed the assembling
curves of the rustic chair critically. Pain
full experience had taught him that where
nature had decreed hoilows in his own
anatomy. there came hollows likewise In
the conformation OF the rustic chair;
ridges. ditto.
Thomas he said apoIogetically, 81 have
always admired your ingenuity in the for
nation Of that chair. II II were mine. now.
should value its ornamentality altogether
too highly to put IL to mere practical use.
AS IL is. II you can spare them. 1 think
j VIII Just take couple of those pillows
ana make myself comfortable against the
trunk OF this tree"
Suit yourself" replied the other senten-
tiously. do you prefer Bingham with
white spider-webs. or grass linen done in
green peoples? Or you might fancy this silk
one. Only couldn't pass this one along.
you know. because Maria always does kick
up such shindy when it's used on the
ground. It's built on framework OF down,
down your neck"
The other bridIed somewhat at the inn
piled superiority.
Never mind. we have pillows at home
Thomas. just pass along the gingham
with a newspaper Elizabeth always makes
pad the ground with newspaper when
l Use any of the good pillows. prefer
Bingham myself. anyway. because l was
born with an aversion to the mere orna-
mental"
The other sighed
81 was too. George. till Maria got
switched Oft that cooking-schooI freak
on torthfs cushion fad. CurioIs-isn't it?-
how a womsn-a woman that you might
otherwise cali logical-will dig right down
Into her pocketbook for ffteen-ccnt
stamped cushiom-cover at a cheap sale. and
then 90 right over to another counter and
burn up the extra 81. s. on floss and shiny
things down pillows, etc, patting herself
on the back all the time for being such
a smart saving little body
The man on the ground smiled cheerfully
at the faint lavender overhead and pulled
cut nuctuat.ng rings OF flmy smoke.
"You can never tell what a woman is
going to class under the head of Econ
onny.'"
Bet you can't" was the sententious
response. About as uncertain as the
feminine nerves Four out of five women
will hop on the nearest chair at the sight
OF a mouse. and three out OF Eve are more
Isvei-headed than men in case of real
eDcrgency.
Il suppose Maria il as logical as the aver
age woman in her economies but I have
known Maria m rome home with n dollars
worth OF little silk sausres-what you call
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.