The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-07
Copyright, 1907, by Ellis Parker
 Butler

fconv right. 1907, by Ellis Parker Butler) YTYHE front door was evidently one \ opened only on special occasiohs' EIiph' Hewitt went around the mousse nnd knocked at the back door. It was Monday morning, and when 'he uooI -noned rush of steam poured out into the frosty air; 1t was also wash oay' ino ,ittle hook agent with the sandy whisRers nut his foot over the sill, so that the door could not be shut in his face ana smiled If ever there Is time to smile IL .s when you are trying to sell DOCK 10 n woman who is at work doing the iainily wash. u,,,h,
 Lady of the house in7' inquired Elph Hewitt.
 "I don't want no books" snapped the hook nosed woman, trying to close tne door "who do you think am, anyhow: The hired girlY'
 "'You don't mean to tell mo that you are Mrs. Smithersr' cried Eliph Hewitt, with pleased surprise. 'Is 1t possible that you are the Mrs. smithers your aear pas pas for told me was the president of the Cur levville Culture club? Am really speak ing to the Mrs Smithers, the one l was told in Des Moines delivered tho admira- ble address at the meeting of the state Federation of Women's clubsT' :.
 well, I'm her. said the woman, ana don't take it no compliment that you took me for hired girl, neither. l may look like one In this rig, but if you don't like F.
 Ma am," said E1iph' Hewitt. you'll pardon me- I took you for your daughter. I wasn't looking for one so young to be the president of a culture club. I admit freely that you fooled mo. It reminds me of the time I dined with Mrs. Wander
 uf In hn New York, U. s. A. But you may think it strange that a book agent should dine with the four hundred as they are called fin the press, although the number IS enormously stated!'
 If you want to know what think don't think nothin' no book agent never does is strange" said Mrs. Smthers, ''and I don't care who Mrs. Vandergould lets eat with her. Some folks aln't as particular as others. But no book agent eats at the same table as me; not If know 1t. I draw the line somewheres.
 well, man. said the book agent. "I won't deceive you. I wasn't book agent when I took food with Mrs. Vandergould at her home with the four hundred and eighteen-that being the correct number. No mann, I was common plumber, and the very minute MT. Vandergould asked me to dine with them I was down under the washtubs in the kitchen on Mon day morning mending the pipes which had sprung a leak. That's why like to visit ladies in their kitchens on wash days. I like the smell of the steam. It reminds me of that day, which I may call the day that made a new man of me. Yes, man."
 The hook nosed woman curled her lips scronful1y.
 "Lies.' she said. "Just book agent lies. Don't tell me that man like Mir. Van dergould would be in his kitchen on wash day morning What would he be doing there. I'd like to know?"
 what, indeed" said Eliph' HewIitt "but speaking to his wife. who was doing the wash?"
 "Fiddlesticks!" said Mrs. smithers. And I wish you would either come in or go oue" she added, ''and not keep this door open, and all this cold air coming in"
 'I'll come in," said Eliph', cheerfully. q never do unless I'm asked, but since you insist l won't refuse. I said the same to Mir. vandergould when he asked me to dinner that day. MT. Wander gould I said, I don't crowd in where Pm not wanted, but since you say the party won't be success unless l come, why, come I will and I did"
 The book agent seated himself on one of the yellow wooden chairs and laid the oilcloth covered parcel that he had car Yied under his arm upon his knee.
 You see, Mrs. Smithers," he said "Mr. vandergould knew I was man of cul- ture, although I did wear the blue over alls of a plumber, just as can see that under that blue calico wrapper-whch is very becoming to woman of your com plexion-is a woman of culture. And this, . he said. tapping the parcel on his knee.