The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-26
THE DECEIT OF
DAVID SORWOOD
BY W. II. Koebel

represented the last
word of that building syndicate which
had of late devoted so much of it's at
tention to the development of that
thriving suburb. Clayden. AS though
tired of planting bricks and mortar
that sprang up houses in the midst of
already existent terraces, it had as it
were gathered up its strength and flung
Laurestina Villas in squat row half
a mile from the town. There they
rested pathetic in their loneliness like
the first few teeth in an infants mouth
awaiting the sprouting of their COM
rades from the gaps in the gums.
The row stood in the midst of a fiat
expanse of doomed fieldIand. It was
for This reason. perhaps, that the gar
dens back and front exceeded in length
those of similar villas in Clayden itself.
This advantage. a compensation doubt
less for the painless loan and rubble
that served for a road. was largely
neutralized by the absence of any indi-
cation of barrier between the respective
garden plats beyond that which few
score of dying and dead privet bushes
afforded.
Seeing that those of the latter in
AhC sup SIM SlAuSSlcu W llllSci
had not succeeded in overlapping the
loftier families. possessed of a discon-
tented spirit, had with the utmost har-
diheod applied to the syndicate for the
protection of fence. The arrival of
the secretary of the syndicate himself
formed the sequel to the petition. When
he had dilated upon the abnormal
length of the strip and had gazed re-
proachfully from the dying twigs of
privet to the countenances of the new
Corners, il was generally conceded by
the remaining Inhabitants of Laures-
tina Villas that an uncalled for attempt
at bluff on the part of the Pagleys
had met with we'll deserved failure.
Besides, the secretary enjoyed the
unstinted support of Mrs. Holden.
Fences and walls may suit folks that
have things to hide. and such as are
ashamed of themselves and their con-
sciences" she had pronounced. I've
got no objection to leading my life in
the open, seeing as it's such that no
woman need be afraid to let child see
into-and a newborn one at that.
Fences!" had shifted Mrs Holden. IF
some men want to be as shut off as
that why don't they turn Roman and
take to one of them there convents?"
The question-oft repeated. never
answered-became the acknowledged
elegy of the Pagleys' reputation.
Ii was shortly after the committal
of this dubious art of theirs that the
last board of the terrace fell. The sole
remaining inlet villa became tenanted
by a bachelor of middle age For neigh
bors he had the Pagleys on his right
hand. Mrs. Holden on his left.
AS David Sorwood remained at home
when others hurried stationward and
his rare saunterings to the place oc-
Cured at an hour at which no other
male of the vicinity had ever set eyes
upon the building, except perhaps on
sabbath. ii was evident that he came
under the category of retired" But
from what had he retired wondered
Mrs. Holden.
The lady's disposition did not long
permit her to postpone an attempt at
discovery. She was hanging some linen
upon a line stretched between two
posts when she caught sight of the
doubtful personality of her neighbor
He was smoking a pipe hard by his
back door.
You must find this life a bit differ
emf from what you've been accustomed
to, suggested Mrs. Holden. as she
attached garment by means of a peg
to the line.
That is So" admitted David Sor-
wood
Mrs. Holden, in the act of sorting
the bundle she held. drew a little
nearer.
It's nothing short of wonderful" she
remarked. how life changes. AS 1 was
saying TO Mrs. Pegley the other day.
We never know what's before us nor how
Wen end our days. But so long as
we've got bit put by against Ordi-
nary comforts, such as a nice piece o
pork on Saturday nights, it's some
thing TO be thankful for. / say"
The newcomer nodded in silence
when my deceased" continued Mrs.
Hodden-the term was the most re-
vered of all in which she was wont to
refer to her late husband-"when my
deceased would be in the mood for dis
cussin' such matters. he used to say.
There's a time comm. you mark my
word. when I'll say goOdby to green
groceries and take my bitter and my
pipe at home like a gentleman" Mrs.
Holden paused. He died first" she
continued. impressively. You was
more lucky"
David SorwoOd was gazing at the
clothes prop nearest him.
He passed away. too" said the
other. Just as he was rising from a
green grocer's to a fruiterer's. There's
trades and trades. of course, but a
as any I know. You never had any
dealings in fruit, l SUPPOSE"
Her neighbor shook his head. After
a moments pause he pointed to the
pole on which his eye rested.
Perhaps you haven't noticed as that
props on my side of the ground" he
remarked.
Mrs. Holden gazed in evident annoy-
ance from the speaker to the pole.
Bless the mani" she exclaimed
''well-so it is
will you have il moved now or
later?" asked David Sorwood.
I'll let you know in good time" said
Mrs. Holden, as she retreated in
huff.
Her feelings were not the less ruff,ed
by an unpleasant discovery. Her
Deighbor was becoming on friendly
terms with the Pagleys. To crown
all, as she sat by her window on the
following Sunday afternoon, she saw
Mr.. and Mrs. Pagley enter David Sor-
woods back door. Then came the rat
tie OF teacups. 1t became evident there
had been an invitation. Mrs. Holden
pondered.
Presently she arose. Moving to the
dresser, she sliced small portion from
a pat of butter and set it upon a plate
Then having passed the symbolical
privet twigs. she raped upon her
neighbours door. 1t was with a little
cry of amaZement that she entered.
ITO think of my finding a party
herei" she exclaimed as her eye lit