Evening journal., 1905-01-16
Her Husbands Lunch
Mrs. SpsngIer Provided a
Good One

Mrs. spangler could not consciontiously
tell the tramp that she had no odd Jobs
that she wanted DONE for there were
the rugs to be beaten. the windows TO be
cleaned and the woodwork OF the han on
the second floor to be scrubbed. Then the
tramp was quite old and meek In his
manner. and the girl had as much as she
could manage with the belated ironing
without any housecleaning-o which sub
ject she was rather sensitive at any
time.
Mrs. Spangler felt rather nervous about
admitting a strange and ragged man TO
the house when there was no male pro-
lection. but the rugs certainly were I'm
shameful condition and the woodwork was
disgrace. So she said to the tramp,
well come in and I'll see If / can't find
something for you to do"
Then she regretted IT,
1t was too late now, though. II she told
him that she had changed her mind he
would in all probability draw an ak from
its concealment on his person and brain
her in his anger and then sack the premi-
ses So Mrs. spangler assumed a confident
air and pointed out the rugs that were to
be beaten. AS soon as she had seen the
tramp safely to the back yard with them
she locked and bolted the kitchen door
and then sunk into a chair with hand
pressed 70 her heart.
why, what's the matterT' asked the
girl
THAT tramp" replied Mrs. spangler. 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 bella
Dor the rugs. Il wouldn't feel nervous
about him, ma'am" she said. HE don't
look like a bad man."
But with Mr.. spangler away" said the
mistress.
'HIe don't know that" said Bertha. re-
assuringly. There might be NSnty men
In the house for all he knows. Mr.. spang-
Ter has coat and some hats hanging in
the hall"
THAT S true. said Mrs. Spangler, some
what relieved And he does seem TO b,
beating the rugs nicely doesn't heY" She
added, after looking out of the window.
She unlocked the door and after littl'
the tramp came in bearing the rugs. Mrs
Spangler directed him In the replacing Of
them and as she did so her fears begar
TO return. The man was so suspiciousll
civil, so unnaturally meek.
Don't make any noise If you can he'll
it," she said as the man moved a loungi
to one side Il am afraid you may walk
my husband His room is at the head o
the stairs and he sleeps very lightly"
'I'n be very careful, marm," said tn
tramp. Does the gentleman worl
nightsY NE inquired.
'.Er-no." replied Mrs. spangle. Il
whom falsehood was comparativel
strange. "He-he was up last night-wit
the toothache."
That's too bad" said the tramp, sym
patheticany. II know what's good for tn
toothache if it amt a liberated tooth.
it ulcratedT'
II don't think So" said Mrs. spanglel
: with slight blush.
"Then let him take "A good-sized chat
r. Of terharker an sprinkle II with red per
? per an lay It alongside o. the TOOTH sal
e the tramp. earnestly. "Or, If that don
- work"
lie proceeded to enumerate several othS
weird remedies and only stopped whe
Mrs. spangler begged him 10 begin o
j the windows He went at this task wit
|, the same energy that he had shown
. beating the rugs and by noon the down
stairs panes were shining Ike crystal a
- the same time Mrs. spangler had mil
givings. There was q CLEAN in the man
e eve that she did not like. AS the windo
cleaning approached its end she consulte
K with Bertha on the ACCESSIBILITY Of givin
i him a lunch and retaining him for u
e woodwork.
Il Bertha said she thought it would be a
n right 4 can lock the bedroom doors
d she said, land he can't get into any
n them without ms hearing him. You ca
=, listen from the parlor'
Mrs. spangler decided to risk it. 81
y called the tramp TO the kitchen and s
=, before him a lunch. II was a nee, dam
II little lunoh-some thin bread and butte
y little ham omelette and some preserv'
peaches. She left the kitchen mome
and when she returned the tramp h'
cleared everything eatable in sight
Mrs. spangler hardly remarked his v
h. racity. Now if youll come with me al
ID bring that bucket III show you VIII
10 cleaning I want done" she sad.
yes. marm." said the tramp, meekly
At the top of the stairs Mrs. Spangl
raised her finger. Now. remember not
make a noise and wake my husband s
NC whispered. Hes right i'm that ROOM
As she turned to go the tramp remind
her that he had no sponge. Come quioi
down, then, and TN get II for you" s;
Mrs. spangler. AS they passed throu