The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-08
ALFRED CROSBY'S WIFE.


Hatred. and 'ow genteel to ave our
private telephone. to be sureH'
Mr.. Crosby was a little. meek, in
offensive man, owning sundry drapery
establishments. He was dominated by
his wife and his brother-in-law, Will
liam Robinson who lived with them.
When Amelia Robinson had captured
Alfred Crosby it had been agreed that,
as each of them had an only brother
and no parents, the brothers should
and Amelia had driven Spencer Crosby
out ot the house before very many
years had elapsed. They were con-
slantly having 'dust-ups," as Spencer
put it, and once or twice he had threat
ened to use his fists upon the said Will
liam. 1t would have gone hard with
William if he had.
Mrs. Crosby. backed by William, had
long worried her spouse to have tele-
phone fixed uD. and he had eventually
acceded to her request.
Yes, Halfred,' she went on, II al
ways did say we ought to be a cut
above that Mrs; 'Arris. an this'H do it.
1T will, 'Melia," replied William
Just then the maid entered with a
letter which she gave to Mrs. Crosby.
who opened it and began to read the
contents. Presently she looked up and
said: ''Ho. She WILL will she? Dear
me, 'ow Ugh we're gettin'. Mrs. 'Arris
VIII be at 'ome on Friday, the 18th inst,
at 5 o'clock Hol Indeed! Well, she
amt got telephone. ave she, BilI?''
"She ave not. 'Melia.'' replied Will
ha-l-
"Oh, wot upstartnessl Look ere, Bill.
She's gone an put 215d stamp on her
letter. HIM. Penny ones amt good
enough for 'er ladyship, aren't they?''
snOrted Mrs. Crosby.
Bill, you take that there letter an
write an say as ow I'll be there. Now,
make it polite an ladylike. Then, when
Gil -
you put 6-penny stamp on it. I'll
show EN- 'oo's 'igest.''
With that William retired to his sec
retarial work, While Mrs. Crosby turn
ed to her husband, who had been meek
~ waiting all the time the CONVERSE
ton between his wife and brother-in-
law had been going on.
Now, Hatred, when will that tele-
phone be ready?"
Next Friday, my dear; the 17th''
"Hol The same day as Mrs. 'Arris'
at home?"
Yes, my dear"
Wen. then, Hatred Crosby, about 4
O'Clock you ring me up, so as when
lofty sort of voice as 'ow my husband
rang me up on our private telephone
Just before came out
On the morning of Friday the 18th.
as Mr.. Crosby was leaving his house
for town, be casually remarked to his
wife that he would not be home very
early that night.
"Ho. You won't won't you? An
may I ask why not?'
Certainly. my dear. I am going to
call on Spencer at Highgate."
"Good-for- nothing young scamp. Yes,
go an EFT the fashpans with i'm, an
forget yer lawful wife,
Mrs. Crosby probability meant flesh
pots, but still we must pass that over.
my dear Amelia. Spencer is getting
on very nicely, and, besides, today is
his birthday his 18th, so I'm going to
pay him a surprise visit
"Hol Very well. Now, don't you
forget to ring me hup, whatever you
do. Now mind, o'clock, 2S4 Finch
ley"
eyes, my DEAR
"Oh don't keep on sayin' Yes, my
dear You'll Tniss yer trHi1 so on
Ard -. C7~sbv "a as he was told,
IS WIS ~ custom.
During the day Mrs. Crosby shone
and it was the telephone girls funeral
For Mrs. Crosby rang up every person
she knew who was connected on the
telephone.
Now, then, Bill: 'urry up, or we
shall be late for Mrs. 'Arris,'' she call
| ed no the stairs.
Yes, 'Melia,'' replied William
| But Mrs. Harris was doomed to be
without the society ef Mrs. Crosby and
| heI Srct,1ez. 1or it as they were goia :