The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-01-04

Spencer Parker seemed to accomplish
no more than hunting dog chasing
q rabbit In the tall rye. continually
jumping up and down and never get
ting anywhere. a dozen times he
walked resolutely toward the brass
door.knob Of 1916, and as many times
he concluded to saunter languidly
past, as II he had no other reason
for appearing in that nelghborhood
than simply to sun himself. Bat
finally he summond up courage enough
to pull the bell.knob. and an imitation
cow.bell tinklcd In the back of the
house.
81. Spencer Parker. upon my word!'
exclaimed the middle.aged woman
who came to the door. And pray
what brings you here today
She spoke In a sweet, musical tone.
in pleasing harmony with the din
dent demeanor of her guest, whose
every motion was quiet and respect
able and whose voice sounded strange
ly like hers, as he replied: Just VS.
iting. ma'am | wished to pay you
my regards, Mrs. Simpson. and to CON
graduate you upon Mr.. Watkins. who
is coming to board with you
Congratulate mel" cried Mrs.
Simpson. why. am indeed delight
ed to hear that. Do you know. l
have never seen him YETI"
Yes" The look in Mr.. Parker's
eyes was far away as he replied. and
his body bent forward attentively. Il
have known Mr.. Watkins-Jcremiah
Watkins, maam-from a boy. am
glad he is come to such a home as
yours"
Indeed, you please me. Mr.. Parker,
returned Mrs. Simpson. II shall be
especially happy to tell our boarder
what sort of person they may ex'
pect."
Mr.. Parker gave n sudden start, but
carefully recovered himself. "Ah," he
said. that's what l came to tell you
Of"
Indeed"
Eyes. Mr., Watkins Ia a--a--a gen.
tleman"
Again the courteous speaker leaned
forward as he spoke. struggling awk'
wardiy for the next wOrd--"but | want
you to know that he is IA gentle
man"
All" returned Mrs. Simpson. with
ready intuition Then he Is perhaps
eccontrIc?"
"Not exactly" replied Mr.. Parker,
thoughtfully and sweetly, but he
looks, let me say. he looks rougher
thnn he is"
"Rut he is"
Yes" said Mr.. Parker. "He ia a
gentleman"
Half an hour later the door closed
softly, and J. Spencer Parker came
down the front steps Of 1916. at first
smiling. and then sadly. walking with
slow. unsteady step. AS he passed
by the little corner grocery store, he
paused and smote himself pathetically
on the breast
Liar" he said, groaninS. Liar!
And yeti had to be done God
forgive mel"
Anyone who had happened to see
Mr. Parker's friend, Mr.. Jeremy Wat.
klns, on the next day, when he came
with his trunks TO 1916. might have
been excused for cherishlng the sus.
pic!on that he was not exactly Beau
Brummel or a Lord Chesterfield lie
cursed the baggage man for letting
his trunk fall roughly to the ground.
and quarreled with him over his fee;
and. TO further give vent to his feel.
ings, he strobe to the door and gave
the bell knob vicious jerk. There
was not look on his face or a gcs
ture OF his body that did not reveal
him q coarse, ill.mannered young man.
properly Of the stable. rather than
the house. His square, rough face.
with It's loose mouth and broad nose.
hts burly shoulders and big hands.
and his clothing, Inviolate with re-
spect to any previous contact with the |
whisk broom. bespoke vulgarity of
person that he did not attempt to con.
ceal. 1t seemed almost impossible |
that he should be a friend or acquaint.
ance of such Il person rs J. Spencer
Parker.
Mrs. Simpson, radiant. sweet and /
fresh, appeared at the door. and gazcd |
at him for a moment Then. seeing
his trunks. she extended her hand /
and said:
Mr.. Watkins, | suppose?"
Yes" J. Watkins was on the point /
OF asking her who in HI she thought /
he was, with two trunks right there .
before her eyes; but something In her .
ladylke manner evidently different .
from what he had been accustomed To.
him.
Il am so glad to see you" she
went on 80 glad to know that We
are TO have you here, We are almost
like family here. and so you can
imagine how much ! was pleased t.
learn that our new lodger was cul.
tivated gentleman"
Watkins flushed angrily. supposing
that she was making sport OF him.
but one glance at her frank. ingenious
face convinced him OF her sincerity.
Some one must have been here"