The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-10-12


didn't think he would let any but nice
people have it, It's shame to ruin
our property this way"
Much Mr., Elder cared" retorted
Mrs. Waters scornfully He got his
price for the cottage: that's all he
wanted. Something must he 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. James Smith. who had
recently occupied a cottage in the fash
ionablp suburb of West Park. drove
past the house of Mrs. Bagby in a run
about He was a short stout. red faced
man, wearing an exceedingly loud suit
of clothes and an air Of Indifference to
the opinion of the world
He looks like Il gambler" sniffnl
Mrs. Waters contcmptuously Hell
have all sorts of low companions down
here, ana West Park will be exclusive
10 longer"
"I'll tell you what Wen do" remark
ed Mrs Pratt. who. on account of her
proximity 10 the Objectionable neigh
Dor. was more anxious for his removal
from West Park We'll 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 ii
-
than to have our homes ruined. Wen
get some of the other residents to join
with us, ana the share of each will not
be much"
but it win take a great deal of mon
ey." objected Mrs. Waters. "Who viii
advance such Il sum-?
81 will" declared Mrs. Pratt. who
was a widow of ample means "All |
want is for every one to stand by me
and pay proportion Of whatever loss
we have It won't he much if it is iii
vided among SO many. The men shaH't
have anything to do with it, They'd
get some one to buy the cottage who
wouldn't be any better than this Smith
is"
Having been promised the required
support. Mrs. Pratt accompanied by
Mrs Bagby and Mrs. Waters, waited
upon Mr.. James Smith with the pur-
pose of purchasing the Elder cottage
As the ladies approached the house
Mr.. 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 minute, and
I'll call Marthy."
"Horrid creature" murmured Mrs
Waters as Mr.. Smith disappeared in
search of his wife. "He thinks we
have come to pay social call"
Marthy, in response to her husbands
vigorous calls, speedily made her ap.
pearance. and the party were soon
comfortably seated upon the porch
"Ahem. Mr. Smith" began Mrs.
Pratt somewhat awkwardly. after po-
litely declining Mrs. Smiths urgent re-
quest for the removal of the visitors
hats, we've come upon matter of
business"
"Jim II be glad to do anything he can
for YOU" observed Marthy assuringly.
Hes the most accommodatingest man
in the world Always likes to be
friendly-like"
THAT'S 50. men, assented Mr..
Smith affably. Lets hear what your
business is. men,"
you're very comfortably fixed tere
Mr.. Smith," continued Mrs. Pratt, "and
I don't know just how to tell Won.
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. 1t 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, men," responded Mr..
Smith thoughtfully, there will be five
Of them down here next week. 'Twasnt
right to bring EN- till we got things
fixed up bit"
CONSERVATION reigned in the breasts
Of the visitors. Five little Smiths run
ming wild in West Park! There would
not be a whole pane of glass in the
place in two weeks. The necessity for