The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-06-21

useF isl 10y iar tiug44f4nJ tQH. tiaH-
stt leth etaftii at hif4 asa n. fet.faea
e teuettinpHcr Win tAa pi}.e4a ivuitt
stsa3, 'hat had esimed th, lac asa apaA-
rHei tt' reasoning POWERS - fhuusarGs ~
pltiirs Tourists Ard indeed he eStaira
ih atmprlttege OF l,.tce apG bariaoaY
From 'hc fop u his haid ttoad. gilsicuinE
line polished IVORY along Ills wrll ploontcA
and wen ta'lor"d hod5, down to his patent
leather shoes every a~laAl WAS sootA5ug
aud nnwlinhled. II Is somewhat dlseon-
tor an angry man or nn angry
woman looking FOR brass buttored lneo-
leno-'. to be confronted with such AN ami
able personality He rose as they entered. I
ani adjusting tho carnatiou ON the l. rel
OF his cutaway coat, gave them a polite
look OF inquiry, Both spoke al once, hot
ly and TO the point;
II came about my trunk"
The ~imrromptu duet did not disturb the
lrnpcftIrhabIe ono. He waved them TO
seats and pressed an electric button. a
subordinate win n blue uniform and a
scowl appeared with the suddenness of a
character I'm a Christmas pantonlime.
My man"-and the words came like
veive,-"you know of the complaints We
have received from this lady and gentle
man. 1T see1ns there has been some dis
cord in our usually perfect system-'
The blue suited one looked sulleniy at
the two visitors. His glance returned To
his chief and then impulsivcly lie inter
rupted:
IF outsiders would keep from butttn' in
we'd have less trouble on the wharf. This
gentleman canlc up with two Keys
But the superior. rising above the in
ferior. checked the complaint before 1t
fairly started.
II believe there are two trunks in the
warehouse. Bring one of them into my
office"
nn1f ctilI ~, ff1od Pc nn of tho tyoan and
woman indicated a storm. The unruffled
countenance of the chief insisted that the
threatening clouds would be followed by
clear and calm weather.
Two porters came in with an enormous
trunk and deposited it on the floor with AN
unnecessary bump.
The professor jumped up excitedly and
exclaimed angrily:
That's the trunk which was sent to my
house. That"
The girl also arose with a flush on her
face. She interrupted the professor.
why that's"
The chief silenced them both With one
majestic wave of the hand. They safe
down.
You say" he said. directing his jul
dicial gaze on the man. that this trunk
was delivered to you2"
Yes, and
zone moment" cautioned the systematic
official. w will begin at the beginning
and treat this piece of baggage as if it had
just arrived"
But the trunks nave been examined"
protested the professor. It's simply a
question of identification.
Very good said the chief, With a be-
nevolent smile. You are here to get what
belongs to YOU. I am here to see that the
interests of the United States government
are protected"
rSLa own .,l IT, ~ -.z~ -.X:a,
were behind that solemn pronouncement.
The professor, properly crushed, kept
silent.
NOW" resumed the chief, looking at
the man in his most official manner, you
are entitled to bring in articles of personal
apparel and of the toilet suitable to your
station in life. If [ mistake not, I have
quoted the exact words of the tariff act
An officer with gold braid around his
cap entered and opened the trunk. He got
down on one knee, and fishing into the
Saratoga brought up a handsome tea
gown. brighter than the colors OF the rain
bow.
waved her down with an overpowering
gesture.
Your turn will come presently; do not
disturb us at present.
She subsidized. her feet %nervously tapping
the floor. her lovely cheeks growing pink
and white by turns.
The professor stammered: he was inco-
herent. The chief handled him as a
schoolmaster would a shy pupil.
"This-this article of wearing apparel"
he said gently. was in the trunk deliv-
cred to YOU"
The professor was incapable of speech;
he nodded
The inspector, in the mechanical man
ner acquired by years of service. was
4 holding nm the fa zzlir,r taa ryou,o Tito u ~
a~uctloneer eager to OBTAIN the best pos
sible bid on his goods.
The chief turned to the professor re-
proachfully but soothingly:
You don't mean to contend tina. this
this article is suited to your station in
life"
why, no; of course / don't" sputtered
the professor; l.
Or, continued the suave chief, quot
ing the law, that it would be an appro-
pirate article Of personal adornment for
YOU"
Why, damme, 1 never
The chief raised the authoritative hand
in protest.
NO profanity in the presence of ladies"
The professor sought refuge in sulki-
ness.
Now suggested the chief, with his un-
conquerable desire to pour oil on troubled
waters, 'if you could frankly admit that
you were bringing the-the article In for
your wife,
Il frankly admit that 1 have no wife, +"
cried the professor holly.
"Ah.. said the imperturbable one soft
ly, then this lady is not"
Certainly mott" with a shout.
oh" cried the lady, burying her face
in her hands and rocking to and fro, this
is terrible. terrible!'
The tranquil autocrat, accustomed to
witnessing the emotions OF femininity,
heard these protests unstirred. The in.
spector, continuing his awful work, dove
down into the trunk repeatedly, and wher
he had finished gazed proudly on a Pile OF
wearing apparel which included six pairs
of fine hose, a box of kid gloves, a muff, q
neck piece, a kimono, three n~ightgowns, q
box OF candy. some stray bits of chewing
gum and a most bewildering array of fidf.
fy lingerie. After that he reached in agar
and lifted out a wooden tray containing g
dozen silver medals, each one reposing il
a case of velvet.
The chief looked at them critically
Presently he turned to the professor.
Perhaps you will give us some explana.
ton of these coins"
perhaps 1 WON'T" he cried recklessly
that stuff don't belong to mel"
Something like a groan came from the
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