The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-09-20
Untimely Messages.

A story of the delightfully."- effective
turning of the human worm comes fiom
the Chicago Record Herald. For several
weeks Raymond had been the only tenant
of his house Mrs. Raymond and the
children were waiting in the south for the
weather to settle. Late one evening, when
RAYMOND was in his bathtub, he heard
somebody ringing the front door bell.
He decided not to pay any attention to
it. The person who was doing the ringing
would presently get the idea that nobody
was at home and 60 away.
But the ringing continued. Raymond
went on scrubbing his back with the long
handled brush and rubbing soap over him
self and hoping that the individual who
was ringing the bell might be good enough
to quit before the battery was exhausted
or the wires were worn out. At last,
when he could stand it no longer, he got
out of the water, put on Il bath robe and
went to the front window, from which he
was able to see who was at the door.
He beheld a telegraph messenger and
at once began to feel queer in the region
of the heart. Something had happened to
his wife or one of the children.
"Be down in minute - he called to
the boy, and he was as good as his word.
He did not wait to put on any more clothes.
He even forgot that he was barefooted.
When he had opened the door the boy
handed him what looked like telegram,
but was, in fact, only clever imitation of
one. He tore open the envelope and read
this message.
Dear Sir-Have you examined our ten
dollar overcoats If not, you should do
so at once. They will interest you.
DASHINGTON,
Clothier and Haberdasher.
The boy, who wore uniform like that
of telegraph messenger, departed while
Raymond was reading the advertisement,
and thus probably saved himself from be-
ing personally assaulted.
Raymond was angry. He threw the piece
of paper on the floor and stamped his heel
on it; but, being barefooted, he hurt his
heel more than he did the advertisement,
This did not improve his temper.
His anger increased as the moments
passed. When he went to bed he was in
fighting mood. He wondered if it might
not be possible to prosecute man who
counterfeited telegraph blanks for the pur-
pose of deceiving people. He tossed about,
nursing his anger against Washington and
vowing that he would 60 naked through
the streets rather than buy so much as a
necktie at the Dashington store. Finally,
at about 2 O clock in the morning, happy
thought struck him.
He hoped out of bed, went to the
telephone, found Dashington' house mum
Der and called for it. Reasonably soon
somebody sleepily asked what was wanted
sis this Mr.. Darlington s residence p
Yes
II should like to speak to him.
''He can't be disturbed at this time of
night Call in the morning
'No; | must speak to him now.
won't you give me your message =?
'sNo, | must speak to him personally. "
but do you realize what time it is 2
YES, but | am very anxious to speak
to him at once Please call him TO the
telephone at once.
After long time another sleepy voice
was heard
''Hello Is this Dashington p asked
Raymond.
YES
'Well, just wanted to tell you that |
got your telegram late this evening, and L
DON think | care to look at any of those
ten dollar overcoats. thought you d be
anxious to know whether the messenger
succeeded in finding me, so r
There were jumbled chunks of language
mixed with sounds indicating that the in
strument at the other end was being sub
ected to harsh usage, and then silence.
After this Raymond went back to peaceful
sleep and pleasant dreams.