Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-05-08
HER HUBBY'S LUNCH

Mrs. Spangler felt rather nervou
about admitting a strange and ragge'
man to the house when there was n,
male protection, but the rugs certain
ly were in a shameful condition ant
the woodwork was a disgrace. So sh,
said to the tramp, We'll come in ant
I'll see if l can't find something TO.
you to do"
Then she regretted it.
1t was too late now, though. If shs
told him that she had changed hel
mind he would in all probability draw
an ak from its concealment on hi
person and brain her in his anger ant
Ter assumed a confident air and point.
ed out the rugs that we're to be beaten
AS 70 as she had seen the tram
safely to the back yard with them she
locked and bolted the kitchen dool
and then sank into a chair with &
hand pressed to her heart.
why, what's the matter?" asked
the girl.
That tramp" replied Mrs. Spang.
Ter. Il had him in to beat the rugs
and I'm afraid of him.
Bertha glanced out of the window at
the man. who was already beginning
to belabor the rugs. Il wouldn't feel
nervous about him, ma'am," she said,
lF'He don't look like a bad man.
But with Mr.. Spangler away" said
the mistress.
He doesn't know that said Bertha,
in the house for all he knows. Mr..
%Spangler has a coat and some hats
hanging in the hail."
That's true" said Mrs. Spangler,
somewhat relieved. And he does seem
to be beating the rugs nicely. doesn't
the window.
She unlocked the door and after a
little the tramp came in bearing the
rugs. Mrs. Spangler directed him in
the replacing of them and as she did
so her fears began to return. The man
was so suspiciously civil, so unnatural
ly meek.
Don't make any noise If you can
help it." she said, as the man moved
a lounge to one side. 81 am afraid you
may wake my husband. His room is
at the head of the stairs and he sleeps
very lightly.
'Tll be very careful. marm.'' said
the tramp. Does the gentleman work
nights?" he inquired.
Emo" replied Mrs. Spangler, to
whom falsehood was comparatively
strange. "He-he was up late last
night-with the t%oothache."
Then let him take a good-sized
chaw of terbarker an sprinkle 1t with
red pepper an lay it alongside o. the
tooth" said the tramp, earnestly. "Or,
II that don't work"
He proceeded to enumerate several
other weird remedies and only stopped
when Mrs. Spangler begged him to be-
gin on the windows. He went at this
task with the same energy that he had
shown in beating the rugs and by
Don the downstairs panes were shin
ing like crystal. AT the same time Mrs.
Spangler had misgivings. There was
a CLEAN in the mans eye that she did
not like. AS the window cleapings APP
preached its end she consulted with
Bertha on the advisability of giving
him a lunch and retaining him for
the woodwork.
Bertha said she thought it would be
all right. Il can lock the bedroom
doors" she said. and he can't get into
any of them without us hearing him.
You can listen from the parlor."
Mrs. Spangler decided to risk it. She
called the tramp to the kitchen and
set before him a lunch. 1t was a nice.
dainty little lunch-some thin bread
and butter. a little ham omelette and
some preserved peaches. She left the
kitchen a moment and when she re-
turned the tramp had cleared every
thing eatable in sight.
Mrs. Spangler hardly remarked his
voracity. Now il you'll come with
me and bring that bucket I'll show
o what cleaning | want done" she
said.
Yes, marin. said the tramp meekly.
At the top of the stairs Mrs. Spang-
Ter raised her finger. Now. remember
not to make a noise and wake my hus-
band" she whispered. He's right in
that room"
AS she turned to go the tramp re-
minded her that he had no sponge.
Come quietly down then and III get
II for you" said Mrs. Spangler. AS
they passed through the library the
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