The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-12-27
Madame Midas
SS3SGGG.
BY Fergus Hume

of the theater and wended their way to-
wards the same place.
They soon arrived at the hotel, and
having entered, Mr.. Wopples pushed open
the door of room from whence the sound
of laughter proceeded, and introduced the
three strangers to his family. The whole
ten. together with Mrs. Wopples, were
present, and were seated around a large
table plentifully laden with cold beef and
pickles, salads and other things too nu-
merous to mention. Mr.. Wopples present
ed them first to his wife, faded, washed
out looking lady, with perpetual shipper
on her face, and clad in lavender mus
lin gown with ribbons of the same de-
scription, she looked wonderfully light
and airy.
This" said Mr.. Wopples in his deep
voice, holding his wife's hand as if he
were afraid she would float upward
through the ceiling like bubble, this is
my futterer."
Why he called her his futterer no one
ever knew, unless it was because her rib
bons were necessarily fiuttering but, had
he called her his shadow, the name would
have been more appropriate. Mrs. Wop-
pies futtered down to the ground in a
bow, and then fiuttered up again.
Gentlemen" she said, in a thin, clear
voice, you are welcome. Did you enjoy
the performance
Madame" returned vandeloup, with .
smile, need you ask that?"
A shadowy smile floated over Mrs. Wop-
pies indistinct features, and then her hus-
band introduced the rest of the family in
bunch.
Gentlemen" he said. waving his hand
to the expectant len, who stood in line
of FIVE male and five female, ''the celebrat-
ed Wopples family"
The ten all simultaneously bowed al
this as il they were worked by machinery
and then every one sat down to supper
Mr.. Theodore Wopples taking the head oil
the table. All the family seemed to ad
mire hin. immensely, and kept their eyes
fastened on his face with affectionate re.
gard. When it was nearly twelve O'Clock
Vandeloup rose to take his leave.
'Oh, you're not going yet" said Mr.
Wopples, upon which all the family
echoed, Surely, not yet" in a most hos
pitable manner.
II must" said Vandeloup. with q
smile. Il know Madame will excuse me-
with a bow to Mrs. Wopples, who there
upon futtered nervously; "but I have tc
be up very early in the morning"
"In that case" said Mr.. Wopples. ris
ing, IL will not detain you early to bed
and early to rise, you know; not that
believe in it much myself, but 1 under.
stand it is practiced with good results By
some people"
"Good night. Messrs. villiers and Jar
per-" said Vandeloup, going out of the
door. II will see you Tomorrow"
.And we also, hope" said Mr.. Wop
pies, ungrammatically. Come and SEE
'The Cruet Stand again. I'll put you,
name oil the free list
NJ. Vandeloup thanked the actor warm
ly for this kind offer, and took himself
off as he passed along the street he heard
burst of laughter from the Wopples fam
lily, no doubt caused by some witticism
of the head of the clan.
He walked slowly home to the hotel
thinking deeply. When he arrived at the
Waffle Tree" he saw light still burn
ing in the bar. and, on knocking at the
door, was admitted by Miss Twexby, who
had been making up accounts, and whose
head was adorned with curl papers.
MY !" said this damsel, when she saw
him, you are nice young man coming
home at this nour-twelve o'clock. See,
and, as a proof of her assertion, she point
ed TO the clock.
'Were you waiting up for me. dear p
asked vandeloup. audaciously.
Not l." retorted Miss Twexby, toss
ing her curl papers; 'I've been attending
to par's business"