Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01


The worthy dealer turned look of half
amused surprise. That's here he said-'right
here this street and house"
Indeed" | cried, though | had not been wholly
unprepared for such answer That's really
odd for this my dear sir, is the very place where
| was told to seek lodgings
There must be some mistake, replied the
dealer civilly; for it is the house is too small
to accommodate my family.
At this | must have feigned the signs Of extreme
annoyance rather ceverly, for the dealer joined in
condemnation of officious friends in general, and
especially of one MCPHERSON second auditor, who
had so misled me.
That ass Mcpherson" I explained, has put
me to the greatest inconvenience! For, feeling
certain of the rooms, have actually given this
address to correspondents. But | hastened to
assure my courteous listener, Il shall of course
write at once and save you any trouble on that
score. Please save the wardrobe for day or two.
My name is Josiah Brunson Dykefellow.
As pronounced each syllable with distnctness, l
could perceive the dealers kindly face expand with
pleasure Why, Mr.. Dykefellow" he exclaimed,
& letter came for you this morning. was about to
return it to the carrier. Here it is.
l thanked him. gave the square envelop only
casual glance before slipping it into inner pocket,
and then bought curio, scarcely knowing what
in newspaper. | feared the dealer might think
better of his confidence and make demands on me
for identification. l felt the prick of conscience
that an honest must feel who gains
righteous victory by disingenuous means.
When the door had closed behind and l
free to stride up Ninth-st. with my curio beneath
and cry of Stop theft at my heels. Once safe
beyond the nearest corner, l actually ran. Up one
street, down another, now running, and now,
short of breath, proceeding at rapid walk came
at length to a small, well-nigh deserted public
square, and here, seated on retired bench, cat
tiousy took out my blue envelop, and for the first
time scrutinized its superScription.
The writer evidently a person of decided
character; but whether woman it was i'm
possible to guess There was something masculine
about the stationery which suggested a we'll
other
of violet wax the rather blurred impression of what
might have been dainty crest the smell of orris,
| fancied, spoke of a 1ady's boudoir. AS for the
postmark, it non-committal to place, but
the hour and date clearly nine thirty P. NJ.
the previous day. which seemed rather late for
lady; but again, few men ever write " In haste"
the of letter. Of course it would have
been a simple matter to have solved the mystery
then and there; but mystery solved can never
be itself again, and for the moment determined to
prolong the pleasures OF anticipation. | chucked
to myself, and cast friendly glance about me,
vaguely imagining what Selbyvile might to
me in after years Assuming an easy attitude
upon the bench, gazed into the sky.
All, Fate! was beginning to soiloquize, when
a rude voice beside me interrupted
Say, kape yer feet often the grass, unless ye
the earth!" it said and looking up saw before me
the sinister visage OF a m1nion of the law. And
what We dom here anyway" the voice went on
while the visage turned with undisguised suspicion
toward my curio, which did look something like
infant wrapped in newspaper
said that was waiting for my train and asked
with all humility to be directed to the station.
was answered with contumely. | was command
ed to Get move oni" | told with scant
civility that the Union Station was only one block
away. Even you can't miss 1t, my informant
said. Follow South Ninth-st."
| rose and thanked the with all the dignity
at my command. | also gave him cigar, which
seemed to mollify him; but if my random flight had
brought to the far end of Ninth St
l should have let every train that ever cleared
from Selbyville depart without me rather than
have rsked another meeting with the curiosity
A.