Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-07-31
TOO MUCH CURIOSITY

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speaking, vastly superior, but-well,
when Lithgowlin's name is mentioned
you will generally hear that aphorism
quoted. Lithgowlin says that he has
a human interest in his neighbors, that
their affairs are of concern to his
broad sympathies. If a man is in
trouble he wants to know it, so as to
condole with him; if, on the contrary,
q man. a neighbor and a brother has
been fortunate he is equally hungry
for definite information, in order that
he may congratulate him understand
ingly. Seemingly unlmportant details,
says Lithgowlin, are in the aggregate
of vast Importance. A man of intelli-
gcnce interested in his fellow man can
put this and that together.
'Mr. Lithgowlin is certainly of an
inQuirlng turn Of mind" said a kindly
old neighbor, but that was putting it
mild.
When Charvin came to the Heights
Hoover, who had induced MIN to come,
warned him against Lithgowlin. Hoo
ver's a peculiar sort of chap himself
and a good many of us don't like him,
but then "it takes all sorts of people
to make a world" However, Charvin
said that he was not afraid. He had
nothing to conceal. anyway.
A day or two later Lithgowlin and
his wife called on the Charvins. OF
course Lithgowlin opened up right
away with his questions. He asked
If Charvin would mind telling him
what rent he paid for this house.
Certainly not replied Charvin.
with a pleasant smile. Lets go into
the. library and leave the ladies to
visit" he added. eve can smoke
there"
ITO tell you the truth. l don't pay
any rent" he resumed when they had
seated themselves and lit their cigars.
"Jim Williams, who owns the house,
is a friend of mine and he knows /
cant afford to pay rent. You see, my
salary in the firm | work for is only
81, 500 a year and | have an old aunt
to support out of that. She has a SON,
but he can't do anything for her, being
in the penitentiary in his third year
Of a five-year sentence for embezzle-
ment, and | can't have her live with
me because my wife's temper makes
her miserable. My wife is a pleasant
woman to meet. but she has an awful
temper, I'm sorry to say. | have some-
thing of a temper myself and the re-
self is that we quarrel most of the
time. | wouldn't mind that so much il
she didn't destroy the dishes by throw
ing them at me, but it is certainly dis
%couraging to have to buy a new dinner
service every few months. The furni-
ture you see here is mostly hers, but
that doesn't give her a right to break
up all the crockery. That was nj
reason that | came out here where it's
quiet. In town the neighbors complain
of the noises. the police interfere and
there is a lot of unpleasantness. You've
let your cigar go out, haven't you?
Perhaps you would like q milder one?
Tobacco is one of my habits" con
tinued Charvin II smoke too much.
Still, it doesn't hurt me as much as
morphine does. I've been addicted to
morphine for three years now. ! be-
gan to take it at an inehriates' home.
where | had been sent by my relatives.
| had to have something and it vas
! almost an impossibility to smuggle any
liquor in. I'd just as Don be in Jail
as in an institution of that sort. l
served a short Jail sentence.
81 like this little suburb of yours,
Mr.. Lithgowlin. It's quiet and pretty.
Plenty of room in the back yard to
hang out the washing. You can see
ours from the window here. We have
about our entire stock of linen hanging
there now, except the tablecloth that's
in use now and the sheets for three
beds.
81 see you are looking at my books"
Charvin continued. 81 got them a few
weeks ago on the monthly payment
plan. There's no need of a man buy
ing books. OF course, they may find
out where I've moved to. but it's not
likely. In a big city 1t isn't necessary
TO run large accounts. My plan is to
change tradesmen often. It's quite the
exception to have them resort to legal
proceedings to collect if the bills aren't
large"
He went on in that strain for
about an hour and by that time Lith-
gowlin was in full possession of the
most complete and varied stock of in
formation he ever had in his life. and
he did not have to ask a single ques,
ton. But a few days later he met
Hoover and, taking him by a coat but
ton, backed him up against a fence.
Hoover" he said, you know this
new neighbor of ours, Mr.. Charvin.
don't you? Who is he? What is he?
Where does he come from? What nro
his means? What sort Of q reputation
has he? | had a little chat with him
the other day and he seemed perfectly
open and frank. but. somehow well,
I fell as If ! would like to know a lit
tie more about him.'-Chicago Daily