The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-07
MAGAZINE SECTION.

The front door was evidently one of
those front doors that are opened only
IN special occasions. Eliph' Hewitt
vent around the house and knocked at
the back door. It was Monday morn
ing. and when the door opened a rush
Of steam poured out into the frosty air:
fl was also wash day. The little book
agent with the sandy whiskers put his
foot over the sill, so that the door
could not be shut in his face and
smiled, If there is a time to smile it is
when you are trying to sell a book to
2 woman who is at work doing the
family wash.
Lady Of the house in?" inquired
Eliph Hewitt
I don't want no books snapped
the hOOk-nOsed woman, trying to close
the door. ''WhO do you think 1 am,
anyhow? The hired grip"
you don't mean to tell me that you
are NEs. Smithers," cried Eliph' Hew-
lit. with pleased surprise. rs ii posi-
be that YOU are the Mrs. SmitherS
your dear pastor told me was the pres
idant of the Curleyville Culture club?
Am I really speaking to the Mrs
Smithers, the one I was told IL Des
NIoines delivered the admirable address
III iIt- llItflllAS VI AAlI tlletlN NNNi llDll
Of Women's ClUbs?'
We'll. I'm her" said the woman,
"and I don't take it no compliment that
YOU took me for a hired girl. neither.
T may look like one in this rig, but if
YOU don't like it"
Main" said Eliph' Hewitt, you'll
pardon me I took you for your daugh-
fer. J wasn't looking for one so young
10 he the president of a culture club. l
admit freely that you fooled me 1t
reminds me of the tine I dined with
Mrs. Vandergould, on Fifth avenue. in
the city of New York. I. s. A. But
YOU may think it strange that a book
agent should dine with the four hun
dred as they are called in the press.
although the number is enormously
stated
IF you want TO know what I think
don't think nOthin' 10 book agent
never does is strange" said Mrs
Smithers. "and I don't care who Mrs.
Vandergouid lets eat with her. Some
folks amt as particular as others. But
no book agent eats at the same table
as me; not if 1 know it. 1 draw the
line someWheres."
We'll ma'am." said the book agent,
CT won't deceive you. I wasn't a book
agent when 1 took food with Mrs. Van
dergOuld at her house with the four
hundred and eighteen-that being the
correct number. No ma am. l was a
common plumber, and the very minute
Mr. NandergOUld asked me to dine with
them I was down under the washtubs
iH the kitchen on a Monday morning
mending the pipes which had sprung
a leak That's why I like to visit Ia
dies in their kitchens on wash days. l
like the smell of the steam. 1t reminds
me of that day, which I may call the
day that made d new man Of me. Yes
III am"
The hOOk-nOsed woman CuTled her
lips scOTnfUlly.
Lies" she said. Just book agent
lies! Don't tell me that a man like Mr..
NandergOUId would be in his kitchen
on wash day morning, What would he
be doing there. I'd like to know
What, indeed" said EliDh' Hewitt.
but speaking to his wife, who was
doing the Wash2'
'Fiddlesticks,' said Mrs Smithers.
And I wish you would either come in
or go out" she added. and not keep
this door open, and all this cold air
come in"
I'll come in" said Eliph' Cheerfully.
i never do unless I'm asked, but since
You insist 1 won't refuse. I said the
same To Mr.. VandergOUld when he
asked me TO dinner that day. Nh. Van