Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-31
Red Saunders
 ... By.
 HENRY WALLACE PHILLIPS COPYRIGHT, 1902 MCGUIRE. C COMPANY
HENRY WALLACE PHILLIPS


want to Starve a man who's deserving of better fate take off your tiXings and come out to dinner. NO," he con tinued to their protests, which he ob served were growing weaker, tits nc trouble at all. There's plenty for ev erybody. Come one, come all, this house shall fly clean off it's base as soon as l. Now, for heavens sake ladies, it's all scttled-come Onr''
 Whereat they laughed nervously and took off their hats.
 It was a jolly dinner party. The young fellows Red had picked up in the blacksmith's shop were not the or. dinary quality of loungers. They were boys of good country parentage, with I common school education, who un- fortunately could find nothing to do but the occasional odd job. Of course 1t would not take long to transform them into common ne'er do wells, but now they were merely thoughtless boys.
 The whole affair had an al fresco flavor which stoppered convention. The two women visitors pitched in and had as good d time as anybody.
 In the middle of the festivities a young man walked past the front fcnce-a stranger evidently, for his clothes wore the cut of city, and a cosmopolitan, up to date city at that. He stopped and looked at the house, heSitated a moment and then walked in, back to where the folk were eating.
 Excuse me" 3lid he as they looked up at him, but isn't this Mr Demi,.'s $ house"
 A momentary silence followed, as it was not clear whose turn it was to answer. Miss Mattie glanced around and, finding Reds eye on her, replied: "No, sir. Mir Demilt's house is about Il mile farther up the road"
 Dear me" said the young man rue fully. He was spick and span. in telligent looking man, with less of the dandy about him than the air of q man who had never worn anything but clothes of the proper trim and become quite used to it. Nevertheless the sweat stood out in drops on his forehead, for Fairfeld's front street savOred of less moral region than it really was on broiling summer day.
 The young man sighed frankly and wiped his head. Well, that's too bad" he said. I'm a stranger here wC&!d you kindly tell me where I could get some dinner?"
 What's the matter with that?" in quired Red, pointing to the roast, which still preserved an air of fallen greatness. He had liked the look of the other instantly.
 The stranger looked first at Red and then at the roast "Thc only thing I can see the matter with that" he an- swered. Ifs that it is a slice too thick. !"
 "Keno! cried Red. You get 1t. Hattie, another plate and weapons to fit. Sit down, sir, and rest your fe- vered feet. If you don't like walking any better than l do, you've probably strewn fragments of one of the com mandments all the way from where the stage dropped you to this apple tree"
 Tt seems to me that I did make some remarks that never learned at my mothers knee" returned the other, laughing And I'm exceedingly obliged for the invitation, as there doesn't seem to be hotel here, and I am but Il degree south of starva- tion."
 Red or black?" asked the host, with quick glance at his guest.
 The other caught the allusion. ''I haven't followed the deal" he replied but I'll chance it on the red"
 Somehow he felt instantly at home and at ease: 1t was quality that Red Saunders dispersed wherever he went
 There you are, sir" said Red, for warding a plate full of juicy meat The ladies will supply the decora- tions."
 Do you like rice as a vegetable, sir:" inquired Miss Hattie.
 No. he doesn't" interrupted Red. "IIe likes it as an animal. Never saw any one who looked less like a veg etablc than our friend" The young mans laugh rang out above the Oth- CTS.
 Poor Miss Hattie was confused. Its too bad of you. Will. to put such q meaning on my words" she said.
 "The strange part of it is.' spoke the young man. seeing m opportunity for a joke and to deal courteously with