The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-10
THE TONE OF THE
 NEIGHBORHOOD
By W. Crawford sherlock.

| 'Tts simply outrageous" declared Mrs. Bagby emphatically. 'To think
 that such people should have moved to West Park Is just awful" "It's worse when you live opposite
 them." mourned Mrs. Pratt. T saw that detestable man sitting on his smoking miserable clay pipe" smoking miserable clay ppe." l That isn't aIi.' chimed in Mrs. | Waters. who managed to galn more information about her neighbors' do- l ings that anyone else in West Park. | His wife actually scrubbed the porch this afternoon in full view of every
 one. I saw this MT. Smith--I believe l 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"
 T wish Mir. Elder had not sold them his cottage" deplored Mrs. Bag by. q didn't think he would let any
 but nice people have it. It's shame to ruin our property this way
 Much MT. Elder cared retorted Mrs. Waters scornfully. He got his price for the cottage; that's all he 1 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. MT. James Smith, who had recently occupied a cottage in the fashionable suburb of 1 West Park, drove past the house of Mrs. Bagby in a runabout. He was short, stout, red-faced man. wearing an exceedingly loud suit of clothes and an air of indifference to, the opin- ion of the world.
 He looks like gambler" sniffed Mrs. Waters contemptuously. Hell have all sorts of low companions down here and West Park will be ex- elusive no longer" marked Mrs. Pratt whos on account of her proximity to the objectionable neighbor, was more anxious for his removal from West Park. 'fWell 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 a loss. but it's better to lose little than to have our homes ruined. We'll get some of the other residents to join with us and the share of each will not be much"
 '.But it will take great deal of money" objected Mrs. Waters. "Whe will advance such a sunni" T will,' declared Mrs. Platt. who was a widow of ample means. All want is for every one to stand by me and pay a proportion of whatever loss we have. It won't be much If it Is divided among so many. The men shan't have anything to do with 1t; they'd get some one to buy the cot tage who wouldn't be any better than this Smith is"
 Having been promised the required hsupport Mrs. Pratt, accompanied by Mrs Ragby and Mrs. Waters. waited upon Mir. James Smith with the pur- pose of purchasing the Elder cottage. As the ladies approached the house Mir 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."
 Waters as MT. Smith disappeared in search of his wife. He thinks we have come to pay @ social call" Marthy, in response to her hus- bands vigorous calls, speedily made her appearance and the party were soon comfortably seated upon the porch.
 "Ahemi Mr. Smith," began Mrs. Pratt somewhat awkwardly after politely de- clininK Mrs. Smiths urgent request for fine removal of the visitors hats, we've come upon a matter of busi- ness'
 "Jimn be glad to do anything he can for you" observed Marthy. as- suringly. He's the most accommodat- ingest man in the world. Always likes to be friendlylike."
 That's so. mem," assented MT. smith affably. Let's hear what your business is. mem"
 "You're very comfortably fixed here. Mir. 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 will ing to pay you something over what was paid for it. It won't make much difference to you, as you have no chill dren and one place is as good as an- other.''
 "As to children. mem." responded MT. Smith thoughtfully. there will be i've of them down here next week. 'Twasn't right to bring 'em till we got things fixed up a bit.
 consternation reigned in the breasts of the visitors Five little Smiths running wild in West Park! There wouldn't be a whole pane of glass in the place In two weeks. The necessi- ty for getting rid of the Smith family was greater than before.
 We will give you two hundred and fifty dollars more than you paid for the property declared Mrs. Pratt in a businessllke tone. That will be a. good profit in so short a time. Win you take it?"
 "Couldn't think of it. mem." re- turned the affable Mir. Smith. "'Twouldn't pay for the expense of moving both ways.
 will you take i've hundredY
 MT. smith had never moved tn good society. but he was nevertheAess man of keen Judgment faint smile ap- peared around the corners of his rath- CT large mouth. and his gray eyes twinkled merrily.
 hefora MT Elder sold it. warn't It. ,nem?" he questioned. eyeing Mrs. Pratt closely ''It's a pity your folks didn't buy then"
 "rhey didn't want the house then" replied Mrs. Pratt sVasively. "Will you