Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-08-30
The Tone of the NeighbOrhOOd.

"It's simply outrageous" declared
Mrs. Bagby emphatically. ITO think
that such people should have moved
to West Park is just awful !"
"It's worse when you live opposite
them, mourned Mrs. Pratt. II saw
that detestable man sitting on bis
porch last night in his shirt sleeves
smoking a miserable clay pipe"
"rhat isn't all" chimed in Mrs.
Waters, who managed to gain more
information about her neighbors' do
ings than anyone else in West Park.
"His wife actually scrubbed the porch
this afternoon in full view of every
one. l saw this Mr.. SMITH be-
lieve that's his name grooming his
own horse this morning. They re
Just common people. that's all they
are, not to have servants to do such
things"
II wish Mr.. Elder had not sold
them his cottage" deplored Mrs.
Bagby. II didn't think he would
let any but nice people have 1t. It's
shame to ruin our property this
way"
Much Mr.. Elder cared" retorted
Mrs. Waters scornfully. He got
his price for the cottage; that's all
he wanted. Something must be done
or the tone of the neighborhood will
be lowered. "
Mrs. Pratt and Mrs. Bagby were
of the same opinion, but they could
make no suggestion as to how relief
could be afforded. At this moment
the topic of conversation, Mr. James
Smith, who had recently occupied
cottage in the fashionable suburb OF
West Park, drove past the house OF
Mrs. Bagby in runabout. He was
a short, stout, red.faced man, wear.
ing an exceedingly loud suit CT clothes
and an air of indifference to the opin-
ion of the world.
"He looks like gambler, shifted
Mrs. Waters CONTEMPORARY. Hell
have all sorts of low companions down
here and West Park will be exclusive
no longer.
''Ill tell you what we'll do" re-
marked Mrs. Pratt, who, on account
of her proximity to the Objectionable
neighbor, was more anxious for his
removal from West Park. "WeU
buy the Elder cottage from this man
and sell it to some desirable person.
We will have to pay more than It's
worth and sell it at loss, but it's
better to lose little than to have
our homes ruined. Well get some
OF the other residents to join with rs
and the share of each will not be
much"
"But it will take great deal of
money" objected Mrs. Wlters.
"Who will advance such sum ?
II WILL" declared Mrs. Pratt, who
was a widow of ample means. Gall
I want is for everyone to stand by
me and pay proportion of whatever
loss we have. 1t won't be much if 1T
is divided among go many. The
men shan't Lave anything to do with
it; they'd get someone to buy the
cottage who wouldn't be any better
than this Smith is.
Having been promised the required
support, Mrs. Pratt. accompanied by
Mrs. Bagby and Mrs. Waters, waited
upon Mr.. James Smith with the pur-
pose of purchasing the Elder cottage.
AS the ladies approached the house
Mr.. Smith, who was sitting upon the
porch in his shirt sleeves, arose and
greeted them cordially as he knocked
the ashes from his clay pipe.
"Just take seats on the porch it's
cooler out here. Wait a minute and
I'll call Marthy."
"Horrid creature, "murmured Mrs.
Waters as Mr.. Smith disappeared in
search of his wife. "He thinks we
have come to pay social call"
Marthy, IN response 70 her hus-
bands vigorous calls, speedily made
her appearance and the party were
soon comfortably seated upon the
porch. "Ahem ! Mr.. Smith" began
Mrs. Pratt somewhat awkwardly, at
ter politely declining Mrs. Smiths
urgent request for the removal of the
visitors hats. we've come upon