Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-07-15
A MOST SUCCESSFUL JOKE.

In the course Of his picturesque, varie-
gated and extremely unlawful career
Alfred Potter had experienced many
shocks and many surprises, but never
had he been so thoroughly taken aback
as now. For, carefully closing the win
dow by which he had entered, he drew
aside the curtains, and, stepping into
what he had expected to be the empty
room Of an unoccupied house. found him
self instead in the presence of four young
ladies and an elderly matron, all in even
ing dress and all beaming upon him with
admiTing welcome
isn't it wonderful" said the elderly
matron, putting up her lorgnette to ex-
anime him more closely, Perfect, / call
it,"
Just the thing; charming, exquisite!"
chorused the four girls together, ex-
changing mods and smiles with each other
and indulgng in little peals OF excited
silvery laughter.
There's some mistake, amt there ~
gasped Mr.. Potter, wildly hoping that be-
fore they could summon assistance he
might, perhaps, persuade them he had
mistaken this house for his own.
And he has the very accent!' said
the elderly lady, beaming on him. Real
~, it Is inimitable. / am sure Mr.. de
We're ought TO 90 on the stage Dorothy,
my dear, as you are the only one who
has met Mr. de We're, will YOU not intro
duce us all and explain why his sister is
not here?''
Thus summoned. one of the girls
stepped forward, rather shyly.
Il am afraid" she said, Mr.. de We're
does not remember me. took Betsy in
Mrs. Sandys' theatricals. where YOU were
the burglar, Mr. de We're. you know.
But, really, your makeup was so diff
terent | should hardly have known you
either"
Il remember" said Mr.. Potter, "puf-
fectly,' and he family hoped that. if this
were dream, it would not change into
the nightmare of penal servitude
Then permit me-" Dorothy continued,
and Mr.. Potter ducked his head dazedIy
as he found himself being placed on
terms of friendship with these surpris-
ing people, Of whose sanity he was rap
idly beginning to have serious doubts.
Your sister, Mr.. de Vere," Miss Do
rothy went on, when the ceremony of
introduction was complete, "unuckily
hurt her ankle this afternoon. and could
not come Poor Lucy was dreadfullv dis.
appointed, for, of course, she has planned
and arranged everything"
She alters was an interfering cat"
said Mr. Potter, holly, and I'll fair
bash her for it. Though 'ow you comes
TO know er, Miss
Doesn't he speak naturally % said one
OF the girls, and there was little hum of |
assent and admiration from the Others.
But why, Mr.. de Vere," asked the ell |
DERBY lady, whose name he had heard. |
was Mrs. YeyIand, did you climb in at |
the window? We were listening for your |
knock when we heard the window open" |
Il suppose, num-" said Mr.. Potter. |
slowly backing toward it in the hope |
that he might be able to escape bv a |
sudden dash, 1.-THE window alters strikes
me as more natural like. somehow"
All, disciple of lola, said Mrs Lev
land. You believe in Realism them"
well. num-" answered Mr.. Potter.
when | as to say, / general
~ ses put me down a Catholick. They
as more services, and in quod anythino's
a change"
The four girls laughed a little. as
though dimly suspecting a Joke which
they could not quite understand and for
the same reason Mrs. Leyland went verv
red and looked extremely indignant.
John and Elizabeth will be here soon.
Dorothy, with some haste.
What do You think we had better do.
Mr.. de Nere?"
On the whole, Mr.. Potter thought that
the best thing he could do was to depart
as speedily as possible and leave this
bevy OF fair lunatics to themselves be-
tore they grew violent. He was inst
about to make sudden dash for if
when one of the girls remarked, enthu-
siastically;
Its wonderful-manners, actions. Get
up accent, everything is Just perfect.
am sure any one would take Mr.. de We're
Tor real burglar"
Me real?" said Mr.. Potter, somewhat
Indignantly. for, though naturally of !
disposition. he was not vet |,
sufficiently instructed in metaphysics to
doubt his own existence.
He is simply wonderful" chorused The
other three girls together. with equal on.
,husiasm. u call it genius" said one.
and another added; John and Elizabeth
viii get Just lovely fright and never
tare venture to laugh at Us again.
Ho!" said Mr.. Potter. a sudden light
flashing in upon him. Begin your bar
don, ladies, is there amy one else in the
ousc along Of you!"
Why, no." they all cried together
That would spoil the Joke ~ Il
Hot! said Mr.. Potter again. so its
a Joke, eh1"
"on the whole said Mrs. Levland
VINO sun wore rather vexed expression.
1 INNS perhaps, we had better give it Ii
up after all. OF course, Mr.. de We're has !
oeeh extremely obhging to dress up like 4
Il ms ana come here, and John and Eliz-
'Ne'h certainly deserve good fright I
after the way they laughed at rs;
Tn beginning to twig." interrun+c8 ,
MIR. Potter, I'm this ere bloonin' Mr. d
lie We're and I'm tOeUpd m, 81. d, -