The Press., 1904-03-03
NHCTIMS OF
y A RECOIL
BY Louie y. Strong
Copyright, 1903, by T. O. Mcclure

"wh-e-ew! This is the hottest day
that ever broiledr' Mr. j. Sanborn, ell
DERBY, somewhat portly and very iras-
chile, glared about, defying contradic
ton.
The old gentleman In front of him
bristled aggressively.
Mr.. Sanborn, with an eye out for of.
Tense, observed the bristling and reiter-
ated Dramatically, 1.-THE very hottest
dayT
mo such thingi There's been mil
lions hotterT The old gentleman fash
ed around like pugnacious bulldog.
'aThe very hottest dayr' Mr.. Sanborn
bawled stubbornly.
"Not even the hottest this seasoni
On the 10th the thermometer registered
16 degrees higher" his opponent ex-
planned with aggravating exactness.
'Then the thermometer Hedl All Their
mometers dor ST..
my thermometer Is exact! It's the
best made"
81 don't care If it's the only one made,
II lies If it says there's ever been hot
ter day than today" Mr.. Sanborn
mopped his face in exaggerated dis
tress.
People were smiling at the absurd
contention, and girl across the aisle
giggled. Both disputants looked at her,
and with a gesture of authority the old
gentleman ordered:
Here, miss, you look cool and rea-
sonable. Tell this lump Of obstinacy
that today is frigid beside the 10TH"
"Oh, don't ask me to be umpire. I
don't know anything about thermome-
tiers. always go by my feelings" she
cried.
1.-THE only sensible way" Mr.. San
born affirmed.
The way of ninnies and numskullsg'
stormed the old gentleman.
"Your station, sir" the conductor In
terrupted. The old gentleman bounced
OF, trailing his statements and asser-
lions to the platform.
The train started. Mr.. Sanborn
stuck his head out the window and
shouted, 1.-THE very hottest dayv'
Then he settled back and laughed.
The girl laughed, too, and slipped
across into the old gentleman's place.
81 wound him upr' Mr.. Sanborn ex.
planned with satisfaction.
II expect he thinks 1t is pretty hot
by now" she smiled, "but, really, you
know, we have had hotter weather"
'-Oh, yes" he assented Unexpectedly.
II suppose I'm doing my own roast
ing"
"Fuming" she intimated.
Like a boiling kettle. Think I'd ex-
plode but for easing or on the old
gentleman" he chuckled in memory Of
the exploit.
"You should take things easy in hot
weather. It's the only way to keep
COOL" she remarked sagely.
'HTake things easy! Look here, when
you've had a blow that's knocked all
your life plans heller SHELTER you don't
feel either easy or COOL"
mo; that's true. One might make
new plans" she suggested.
new pldnS! he ScOn6u. uOu
know why I'm the one to make conces-
sions. He owes all he Is to me-"
She looked polite inquiry, and he con-
tinued: ''You see, it's my nephew. I've
raised him and been a father to him
done well by him too; given him the
best advantages money'n buy. And all
I've asked of him is that he'll go ahead
and be a credit to u.s."
He paused reminiscently.
"And hasn't hep" she asked. A glow
lit his face.
HE hast He's been on top all the
time, taken the honors everywhere, and
he stands to pull off the biggest of all
now"
81 should say that was satisfactory"
she commented.
Satisfactory! Pm chock full of pride!
But I'm justified in being proud. He
graduates from c. university-no lit
tie college. mind you-with the honors
of his class. Why, with my money be-
anywhere. And what does he do but
deliberately kick over his own pros
poets. Here I've been planning all sorts
of things for him when he gets through
travel, where and as long as he pleases;
marriage with the best when he's ready
for 1t, and the young jackanapes has
gone and engaged himself to a milk
maid"
"a milkmaid," she repeated family.
Farmers daughter, he said, but
they're all milkmaids. suppose her
dad raked up a little money and sent
her to the university to take on some
polish and take in some young idiot
like Maurice. He's the star, and she
couldn't do better, though she might
find some with more money"
Have you seen herr"
mo, nor want to either. I know how
she looks; overgrown and coarse, with
big red cheeks that he, the simpleton,
calls roses of nature" he quoted con-
temptuously. He can go to the farm
with her and make a field hand for the |
old man, and I'll try to crawl out from
the ruins. Jings, 1 wish I'd trained |
him In the business back there In Chi |
cagop He struck the seat excitedly |
and went on: HE kept it from me till |
his last letter. I've been boiling ever
since-110 in the shade. came pretty
near not going to the graduating fam
dango, and I've looked to it for years"
''Then you are to be there tonight"
she said.
That's what I'm on the road for.
He spoke of my coming a day or 81
earlier, but don't want to see him tilI /
afterward. 1t might not be good for his |
nerves, and naturally want him to do /
his best before the public"
Naturally" she assented, adding: |
"1'm going there too. l lave friends ID |
the Glass;
"Why, that's all right" he exclaimed. |
Were strangers, and we'd probably
each be alone. Why not sit togetherP'
THANK you, we will. 1t is kind Of |
you to suggest it" she replied, hiding
an amused smile