The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-04-08
WAY OF The WORLD

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1t was the maids third afternoon out
for the week The housewife answered
the bell
A young man DOTTED his hat and asked
tf he addressed Mrs Z. Conomy.
The lady eyed him from hat to sole.
Noticing no suspicion bulge of pocket.
her face relented and she stood passive
ly on the defensive, giving nod of as
cent.
I'm not an agent he said. I'm the
gas man." and he smiled seductively.
you've heard of the gas man
I'm on my rounds asking the COM
pany's friends for suggestions and to
listen to complaints as 10 service. The
office has heard there are none.
The last with childlike ingenuousness.
$50 you're the gas man." the lady
finally found words TO say he seated
himself calmly in the parlor.'
"Can you lie like a meter man?' she
added, suspicousy.
Madam. you do me too much honor, -
with laugh that was disarming. Tn
only the kick artist whom the company
has engaged TO listen TO complaints be-
cause ! have made a study OF the gas
question Now there are many ways
Another rebate?' This she asked with
intense distrust.
Il shall ask that question presently.
Now
You must begin on it." insisted the
lady. MY rebate was only cents on
the last bill and my next door neigh
Dor. who has a large family, got . cents
on bill only dollar more Oil would
be cheaper
THAT old question about oil and gas
again" the gas man said wearily. avoid
ing the rebate question. Il thought it
settled. Back in New York state. it's
years since / have heard it mentioned
but out here" and he gave gesture OF
forlorn resignation.
Il really shah, ave TO brus up on II
again. he added
do you know, madam, that you cannot
tell me anything about your consumption
of gas by comparison bills? That's the
A. B. c, Of the business.
Il should say l did know it, she hast
ilv interrupted Why last summer"
THAT'S the most frequent complaint we
hear and the easiest answered he said.
disregardinG his interocutor- Your
nelgnbol, L SutptSt' N'o'No ~ q '0Ai -
family
She assented.
And uses the gas range for washing
and ironing?
She nodded again.
.And lights ten roOms?
Yes.
"And her bill averages only a dollar
more than yours?
The gas man glanced about the vel
Furnished parIor and took a survey oi
the vista of polished oak and tapestry
beyond.
You appear not to need such severe
economy. / know women who do al
this for good sized families and their bills
run only 50 a month, bat / should Ike e
have you sit at their tables just once
madam. once would be sufficient and
he looked the compliment he had spoken
..Just a day or two Of negligence in one
month will run up sas bll and you vii
wonder when the end Of the month comes
how it could be possible. \ LITTLE incident
that happened TO ME viii show You.
fell asleep in my room reading by gas
light one night and at A. m. the land
lord routed me out to ask me if | could
MT be satisfied to work for the company
days ana If I had 10 put in nights. too
From what you say though. ljudee some
thing must be wrong with your meter
You are extremely careful, 1 am sure
: I'll order an inspection.
He made an entry in his note bool
while Mrs. L. Conomy looked at him n
II in a trance.
You burn too much gas undoubtedly
he continued
Il pay for too much said the lady
with indignation she had been smother
ing
Yes. l know the consumer has pref
udice against the company because h
thinks it a big corporation and dishonest
You may have at times even believe'
yourself robbed But lei US talk owe
the situation.
you say you use how many jets 70
lighting"
''Three. and never more than one at
time
1.-TWO meals day and last summe
-"
Did you ever attend our demonstra
tions2 We show you how 10 cook an'
save fuel. DO you know that You VII
secure the same results if YOU turn OF
the oven burner seven minutes befor
the bread Is done?
IL don't bake my own bread" snapped
Mrs f. Conomy.
And l notice that you use the old
style lava tip burners yet. BY all mean