The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-11
TIE EVENING STOR T
The Tone Of the Neighborhood.


to West Park is just awful
ITS worse when you live opposite
Them" mourned Mrs. Pratt. saw
that detestable man sitting on his
porch last night in his shirt sleeves
smoking a miserable clay pipe
THAT isn't all" chimed IN MIS-
Waters, who managed to gain more IN
formation about her neighbors' dolngs
than anyone else in West PARK d.s
wife actually scrubbed the porch TINS
afternoon in full view of every one
I saw this Mr.. Smith believe that's
his name-grooming his own horse
this morning. They're just common
people, that's all they are, not to nave
servants to do such things
Il wish Mr.. Elder had not sold them
his cottage deplored Mrs. Bagby. I
didn't think he would let any but nice
people have it. It's shame TO rum
our property this way"
Much Mr. Elder cared" retorLeu
Mrs. Waters scornfully. he Sot ne
price for the cottage; that's all ne
wanted Something must be done OF
the tone of the neighborhood Will pc
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, VINO
had recently occupied cottage IN liiS
fashionable suburb Of West FaIks
drove past the 4lOuSG VI ~ :.
in a runabout. He was short, stout,
red-faced man, wearing an exceedingly
l01ld suit of clothes and an air OF III
difference to the opinion OF the Morlu ;
He looks like gambler, sillllS S1
Mrs Waters contemporary ne Il
have ALI sorts of low companions down
here and West Park Will pc eAeAusiN0
no longer"
..I'H tell you what we'll do" remark
cd Mrs Pratt who, on account OF hef
n ohinCTiOna Bile neigh
Dor. was more anxious for his removal
from West Park. wen buy the Elder
cottage from this man and sell II 70
some desirable person. We VIII mas
to pay more than it's worth and sell i
at a loss but it's better to lose nttls
than to have our homes ruined. we II
get some of the other residents 70 JON
with US and the share of each VIII not
But it will take great deal Of
money" objected Mrs. Waters. W no
will advance such a sum-
II will" declared Mrs. Pratt, who
was a widow of ample means. Al
want is for every one to STAND Dy me
and pay proportion OF Whatever loss
we have 1t won't be much II II IS IL
yided among so many. The men Snah !
have anything to do with It; they gee
some one to buy the cottage VINO
wouldn't be any better than this smith
l.
Having been promised the required
support, Mrs. Pratt accompanied ~ ~
Mrs Ragby and Mrs. Waters, waited
upon Mr.. James Smith with the pur-
pose of purchasing the Elder cottage
As the ladies approached the mouse MI.
Smith, who was sitting upon Inc POI u "a
in his shirt sleeves, arose ana greeteu
them cordially as he knocked the asheS
from hisc clay pipe -.
lust take seats on the porch; It $
cooler out here. Wait minute anu
I'll call Marthy.'
Waters as Mr.. Smith disappeared IN
search of his wife. He thinks we nave
come to pay social call.
Adarthy, in response to her husp 's.Iol, ,
pearance and the party were soon com
fortably seated upon the porch
..Abeml Mr. Smith" began Mrs. Pratt
somewhat aWkwardly arter poIleely -
clining Mrs. Smiths urgent IeQuest .oI
the removal of the visitors hats, We We
come upon a matter of business
.sJim'il be glad to do anything he can
for you,'' observed Marthy assurlngly.
1.EIe's the most accommodatinges man
in the world. Always likes TO De
That's so. mem" assented Mr.
Smith affably Lets hear what your
business is. mem.
you're very comfortably fixed here,
Mr. smith" continued Mrs. Pratt,
and I don't know just how to tell you
There are some people cry anxious 10
buy this house and they would be VIII
ing to pay you something over wnal
was paid for it. 1t won't make mucn
difference to you, as you have no emil
dren and one place is as good as an
other"
..As to children, mem" responded
Mr.. Smith thoughtfully, there VIII De
five of them down here next week
'Twasn't right to bring en- till we got
things fixed uD a bit"
CONSERVATION reigned in the breasts
of the visitors. Five little Smiths run
ming wild in West Park There
wouldn't be a whole pane OF glass IN
the place in two weeks. The necessity
for getting rid of the Smith family was
greater than before.
I'VE will give you two hundred and
fifty dollars more than you paid for the
property" offered Mrs. Pratt in a
good profit in so short a time. VIII
couldn't think of it. men, re-
turned the affable Mr.. Smith.
- 'Twouldnt pay for the expenses of
moving both ways"
..WiIl vou take five hundred?"
Mr.. Smith had never moved in good
society, but he was nevertheless man
of keen judgment. a faint smile ap-
peared around the corners Of his rath-
er large mouth, and his gray eyes
twinkled merrily.
This place was for sale a long time
before Mr.. Elder sold it, warnt it.
menu" he questioned, cycling Mrs.
Pratt closely. ITS a pity your folks
didn't buy then.
s.They didn't want the house then"
replied Mrs. Pratt evasively. viii you
take the five hundred, Mr. Smith r.
Then there's two or three houses IN
West Park, just as good as this one,
that can be bought for the price this
ere cottage cost, continued MI. smith
not noticing the searching glance Mr.
cant quite make it out, mem, unless
.'IJnless What?" demanded Mrs. Pratt,
not noticing the searching glance Mr..
Smith fixed upon her.
Unless mem" continued Mr. Smith
slowly. you don't sorter think me and
Marthy good enough for West Park and
want to get rid of u.s."
sOh Mr.. Smith" demurred the three
visitors In chorus, but the telltale flush
on their cheeks betrayed the consterna-
ton that had been wrought by the unex-
necfed unrds what makes Won think