Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-16
333$EeG-

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 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 a lavender mus
lin gown with ribbons of the same de-
scr.ption, 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 a bubble, this is
my futterer."
Why he called her his futterer no one
ever knew, unless it was because her rib
bons were necessarily futtering; but, had
he called her his shadow, the name would
have been more appropriate. Mrs. Wop-
pies uulltTcu uONH 70 the SEOuuu Al u
bow, and then futtered up again.
Gentlemen" she said, in thin, clear
voice. you are welcome. Did you enjoy
the performance"
Madame" returned Vandeloup, with a
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 ten, who stood in a line
OF five male and five female, 'the celebrat-
ed Wopples family"
The ten all simultaneously bowed at
this as if they were worked by machinery,
and then every one sat down to supper,
Mr.. Theodore WOpples taking the head of
the table. All the family seemed to ad-
mire him 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 gong yet" said Mr..
| Wopples, upon which all the family
| echoed. Surely, not yet" in a most hos
pitable manner.
81 must" said Vandeloup. with a
/ smile. 81 know Madame will excuse me-"
with a bow to Mrs. Wopples, who there
| upon futtered nervously; "but | have to
| 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 l
| believe in it much myself, but | 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. 81 will see you tomorrow"
And we also, hope" said Mr.. Wop-
! pies, ungrammatically. Come and see
name on the free list"
NJ. Vandeloup thanked the actor warm
| " for this kind offer, and took himself
off : as ne passed along the street he heard
a burst of laughter from the Wopples fam
| ily, 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
"Wattle Tree" he saw a 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 hour-twelve O'Clock. See, y
and, as proof of her assertion, she point
| ed to the clock.
Were you waiting up for me, dear?'
asked Vandeloup. audaciously.
Not l." retorted Miss Twexby, toss.
ing her curl papers; ''I've been attending
to par's business"