Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-08-30
avs likes to be friendly.like.

Smith, affably. Lets hear what
your business is, mem"
You're very comfortably fixed here,
Mr.. Smith," continued Mrs. Pratt
"and don't know just how to tell
you. There are some people very
anxious to buy this house. and they
would be willing to pay you some
thing over what you paid for it. II
won't make much difference to you, as
you have no children and one place
is as good as another.
"As for children, mem" responded
Mr.. Smith thoughtfully. there will
be FIVE of them down here next week.
'Twasn't right to bring EN- till We
got things fixed up bit"
CONSERVATION reigned in the breasts
of the visitors. Five little Smiths
running wild in West Park There
wouldn't be whole pane of glass in
the place in two weeks. The neces-
sity for getting rid Of the Smith family
was greater than before.
ave will give you $3.50 more than
you paid for the property" offered
Mrs. Pratt in a business.like tone.
THAT will be good profit in so
short a time. Will you take it2"
Couldn't think of it, mem" re-
turned the afable Mr.. Smith.
"Twouldn't pay for the expense of
moving both ways. >"
Twill you take $500?'
Mr.. Smith had never moved in
good society, but he was nevertheless
a man of keen judgment. A faint
smile appeared around the corners of
his rather large month and his gray
eyes twinkled merrily.
"This place was for sale a long
time before Mr.. Elder sold it, warn't
it, mem ?" he questioned, cycling Mrs.
Pratt closely. "It's a pity your folks
didn't buy then"
They didn't want the house then,
Mrs. Pratt said evasively. "Will you
take the $500, Mr.. Smith ?"
"Then there's two or three houses
in West Park, just as good as this one
that can be bought for the price this
here cottage cost" continued Mr..
Smith, not needing Mrs. Pratt's
question. 81 can't quite make it out,
mem, unless -
"Unless what ?" demanded Mrs.
Pratt, not relishing the searching
glance Mr.. Smith fixed upon her.
"Unless, men," continued Mr..
Smith slowly, "you don't sorter think
me aud Marthy good enough for West
Park and want to get rid Of US.
ooh. Mr.. Smith !" demurred the
three visitors in chorus, but the tell
tale hushes on their cheeks betrayed
the CONSERVATION that had been
wrought by the unexpected words.
"What makes you think such
thing"
"Well, ladies, returned Mr.. Smith
without the slightest trace of i'll feel
ing, II saw one of you pass the other
evening when l was a-sittin' here in
my shirt sleeves, and that ones nose
was turned up go far that | was afraid
it would get out of j'int. Then,
when another Of you folks saw Marthy
a-washin off this ere porch that ones
mouth got all puckered up as if she
had been eatin persimmons. Iguess
you think we amt good enough for
you, don't you ?"
ave look at it this way, Mr..
Smith, stammered Mrs. Pratt ner-
vously, feeling devoutly sorry that
she had undertaken the plan of pur-
chasing the cottage. 1--WE don't
think you are-ahem well, accus- F,
toned to such society as there is in
West Park. We don't mean any dis
respect, Mr.. Smith, but everyone likes
to mingle with those who are congo
NAL. You don't keep any servants
and and you won't enjoy it down
here, go we thought we'd make you
this offer. What do you say ?"
"It's very kind of you to think of
me-" returned Mr.. Smith, in no way
offended. 81, m sorry, mem, but
must say that we're goin' to stay in
West Park"
Good evening"" chorused the Wis
itors, indignant at the failure of their
plan and crestfallen at Mr.. Smiths
correct surmise of their view regard.
ing him.
lone moment, ladies'" called Mr..
Smith, as bis visitors descended the
steps. "Me and Marthy won't lower
the tone of this neighborhood. We