The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-06-08

when III down | thank heaven for
gtich AZ
whats the matterT
what ia thunder ails that yalssr
eyed old catT''
The eat had baen sitting up On tbs
hearth rug III demure way and tal-
ing In the conversation and the sitns-
fi0n On d sudden his emotions ever
came him. aud be rolled over On his
back with his legs up and chuckled
and said 10 himself:
"I'ye lived in this family going On
fiyc years and II there Isn't d circus
coming then I'm way on IN my calcula-
TONS
Y must get some catnip of che first
peddler that comes along explained
Mrs Bowger. being that it's my
birthday don't you want to run into
Green's with me for q few minutesr
She hoped TO put Mr. Bowser of, but
4 was a vain hope. He made d mem
tal resolve 10 hit the cat with the
crowhar at the tirst favorable oppor-
tunIty and rose up and said:
mot going to Green's tonight my
dear You are dying ID know what
sort of surprise party 1 have FOR
you, and won't keep You waiting"
On reaching home that evening bio
had left d bundle In the yestibuie. He
now passed down the hall and got 1t,
snd between curiosity and fear Mrs.
Howser found her heart beating as II
there were burglars in the house.
Presents His Gift
II don't expect you 70 jump over the
house for JOY" he observed as be I'M
tied the string. "bnt do hope you'Il
appreciate what I have here. was
looking around To buy something when
l happened into an auction room and
picked up these bargains. They are
not only bargains. but there are mem
ories connected with them. Beholdg'
And be held up blue velvet skirt
and waist trimmed with silver buttons
mud braid OF the same material and
watched for a cry Of delight. Mrs.
Howser instantly recognized II as q
dress worn By one Of tho fairies In d
comic opera-a fairy about sixteen
years old and weighing about ninety
pounds.
aWeilY' queried Mr. Bowser impa-
tientiy.
TITS very nlce.r
'Nicel Its dream. It's the dress
worn by Marie Antoinette on her we'd
ding day. Just after had bid II In q
dime museum man came rushing In
and offered me s25 for my bargain.
And look at these
The fairy had worn gay stockings TO
match the dresu There were six pairs,
and they alone had guaranteed the sue
cess Of the opera.
"1'hese stockings were worn by Eu-
genie when she was driven into exile, =
explained Mr. Rowser as be dangied
them ON bis bands. "And once more"
Taken In 40 Usual.
"0nce more meant q pair Of rcd
slippers with silver cord running
around theDl They were hardly large
enough for Mrs. Bowser to get her
thumbs into them. In the goodness Of
his heart Mr.. Howser had bought some
thing As usual, he had also been tax
en- In and done for.
I'll meant 'em for YOU when you
80 out to q high tea. be haitingly ex-
planned
Mrs. Bowser tried to smile, but the
effort was In vain.
''Or you can wear them when you
are giving euchre party"
Mrs. Bowser tried to say something,
but the words would not come.
The cat grlnned and chuckled and
pnrred. and the clock went tick-a-tack
as the spring gusts moaned around the
gables and played ting among the CHM
neys.
''yers well, madam" said Mr.. Bow
ser aftnr a long and painful pause. u
am now going out. may not be back
for an hour--for three hours-for three
years. tknow when d house has fallen
on me, Good night. madam"
She tried her best 10 say something,
to smile, to laugh. to thank him for bis
kindness, but she seemed to be frozen,
And Mr.. Bowser went forth into the
spring night and the rain and the sob
bling winds and walked and walked and
walked, and when last seen By any re-
spectacle, responsible person he was
headed for somewhere and walking in
the middle Of the road Al. QUAD.
s~--.---~~-------------s---
Resting.
"Going out of town this summer
mo, but I'll have my regular relaxa-
49,