The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-12-06
A PAIL OF COLD WATER.
Well-Meaning Gray Haired Gentleman
 Poured 1t in the Wrong Plyace.


 Poured 1t in the Wrong Plyace.
 Pajamas and night gowns of every type and pattern hysterically fitted into sight at 261-263 Clinton street early this mlorning, where they remained in evidence long enough for their owners to shout "Fire!" or Help then to shy ly seek obscurity behind anything large enough to hide blushing face. After the first wave of excitement had brok- en, and it was seen that the fire was of small importance, there was a scatter ing of the spI3okssh ranks Wives inn portuned their husbands for the over coats with which the latter had hastily departed, and some were furnished with the conventional covering, while their lords beat an ignominious retreat.
 In the midst of the turmoil an excita- ble old gentleman in gray whiskers and an airy robe rushed through the front hall and toward sofa, behind which is situated the heater that had emitted the smoke and caused the alarm. A large pail of water was held in his hands, and he paid absolutely no heed to the cries of the invisible but initia- ted boarders, who had learned that the fire wes mere smoke and smudge, As he approached the sofa he raised the bucket over his head and dashed the chilly contents toward the spot where the fire should have been. It was the strangest fire tho old gentleman had ever doused. There was a gurgling gasp, followed by a musical scream and @ vision in a white, beribboned nightie rose from her place of conceal ment and turned dashlng eyes upon tho bewildered old gentleman.
 Chattering that his rudeness was "perfectly horrid," the young woman gathered the damp folds of her gown around her and seurried to her room Through the crack in the door she in- dignantly declared that she would no accept that old creatures apologies, " and further stated that the Secol apartments would know her no more Figuratively speaking, she had broker the ice, however, and in a very few moments after her departure those whC had gone into temporary retirement be- gan to steal from their retreats ant | flee to their rooms.
 Tears and laughter announced many of the stealthy departures, and one well-disposed but ill-advised person at tempted to relieve the situation bI turning off the lights. This attemp elicited so many screams and ejacula' tions that the young man was forced t undergo the embarrassing ordeal O standing in the middle of the room ana relighting them again.
 One newly married couple almos quarreled over the possession of al overcoat. The husband had it on, bu the wife insisted on wearing it to he room. The husband demurred, and tn argument grew heated. When the wifi had finally burst into tears the hus band agreed to go to the room ant bring her some clothes. In this wa, the quarrel was arbitrated, but the oc casional sobs of the wife indicated tha she imagined herself badly used Wo man, and considered her husband hardened brute.
 When the parlors, sitting room an' hall had been finally cleared, the land
 lady and boarder who had just ar
 rived from beated attendance at bal
 examined the heater and removed tn
 grate. Nothing alarming was detected and it was finally decided that scra
 of paper or a cigarette had falle
 through the grate and had fiared Int | flame. There was no need for paint O artificial coloring when the boarder
 gathered around the breakfast taol'
 To joke was criminal and giggles Wer 1 hysterically suppressed. - BrookIyl | Times.