Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-04
MISTAKEN IDENTITY

A snappy citl lien Fho prides himself upon
the fact that he never permits anybody 70
work him Wa sealed on the bench IN his
front yard after dinner the other evening,
reading the paper. A neatly dressed young
man. carrying book under his arm. en-
tered the open gate and approached the
bench upon enwhen he sat- The neatly
dressed young man cleared his threat and
began: AZ
Sir. this b5SoSk-
The citizen on the bench held up depre-
catory hand and shook his head.
mo use. Hk sonI he said. mot the
least bit Of use in the world. Might just
as well not tiny 1t on me. Never bought
book from a book agent in my life and
never viii. Wouldn't take 1t II you'd give
II to me for nothing and throw In pair Of
ioW-cut tan shoes with military heels.
Inc tidy-looking young chap appeared to
be embarrassed. 1t seemed to be with an
effort that he started again:
But. sir. this book
The snappy citizen rested his paper on
mis- knees and looked the young man
straight in the eye
Now. you heard what I said. didn't
your he broke in. what do you want to
waste your breath for by telling me about
a book that 1 wouldn't accept as a gift IL
you threw In. to boot, round-trip ticket
to the st. Louis fair?''
A nush as of deep. chagrn overspread the
young mans frank countenance, and a
sort of forced smile appeared at the cor
ners OF his mouth. He drove his free hand
into his trousers pocket with a sort OF
mop eless gesture. and tried 1t again:
II you'll only be so good as to permit
me to edge in a word, sir I'd tell you"
On, l haven't the least doubt in the
world that you'd tell me lot Of things"
interrupted the snappy citizen who never
permits himself to be worked. II don't
QOuuDt your telling ahilitV dare
that, II you had the chance, you could go
right ahead and tell me things about that
DOCK under your arm from now until to-
morrow mornings dawn came out of the
orange and orient east. But you're not go
ing 10 nave the chance, son. Not a bit Of
chance. When you obtruded yourself
upon my presence 1 was deeply immersed
IN reading the non-batting averages of the
members of q the Washington base ball
team l desire to resume that entertaining
reading If YOU will.give me the ROOM
Ihe heat-iooking young man took Off his
straw hat. mopped his forehead with a
fresh handkerchiefs winch he broke out Of
us folds. and then laid the book down on
the benc1 alongside the snappy citizen.
Inc latter looked wrathful at that action
He picked the book up and was about to
slam it down on the grass when the neat
looking young man called out. In a voice
that could be heard halfway down the
block:
Whoa, there! Whoa: Don't hand YOUR
self wsllop when there's no necessity for
/ it, Whoa" - SD
The snappy citizen jumped from his bench
IN perfect amazement, still clutching the
DOCK In his hand. The young man faced
MIN calmly even smiiingiy.
Sir. said the young man, that book
celongs TO. You or to some member Of your
household. l was walking by here at an
early hour this morning. taking little be-
fore-breakfast stroll-I live at a boarding
house Just few doors down from here
when / saw that book, somewhat dew
uampened lying under that bench Fearing
that some less honest person than myself
might come along. L picked 1t up and car
RED 1t to my room, AMI now 1 am return
ing It co you. ut is volume six Of an edition
OF Thackeray. and it appears to belong to
a pretty handsome, edition. at that"
The snappy' citizen who never lets any
body work hinl'.ook one sidelong glance at
the book out iof the corner of his eye, and
then. when he fried, to say something. moth
ing but gurgling sound proceeded from
his throat. TWAS about minute before
he regained the use, of his voice. the neat
looking young mani. meanwhile standing
smiling az him. -
Come on '.hsaid the snappy citizen, hus-
kily. giving The book to little girl, who
appeared just then. to take into the house.
They re on me" and re led tho way to the
summer garden around the corner