The Cairo bulletin., 1907-10-24
LATCHKY
REC0NSIDERS

|
You mean that you are going L
give up your room permanently, Mr.
Latchky?"
Yes, I've been here ever since
came TO Kansas City and you see,
have a friend who boards cut on the
south side, and he's asked me-"
/ Well, I'm very glad You mentioned
il as | was Just putting OFF asking
I you for your room didn't like to
disturb you, but there's young man
| from Virginia a young Southern
| gentleman-who been anxious TO be-
come one Of our guests for the last
| month or two--in fact, ever since he
| came to Kansas City--and Is willing
and able, too. TO pay more--a great
deal more-for the accommodations
you've had | don't like to ask any
one to leave. even If their staying Is
loss to me-and Mr. Custis--Patrick
Henry Gusts is the gentleman's name.
and he's from one OF the very Oldest
of our families-his fathers great
great grandfather having been a cous-
in once removed Of Gen. Washingtons
wife, and Mr.. Gusts himself being
direct descendant on his mothers
side of Mr. Henry been living
at Baltimore simply waiting until
could find a place for him
Il hope you'll remember, Mr.. Latch
ky, that when you came here | treat
ed you as one OF the family-one Of
my own family-rather than as
boarder. I've had any number of OBJ
portunities to rent your room for more |
than / received from you, but you
seemed so hard to be trying to make !
your way and | realized that your |
safary was hardly sufficient to make 1
both ends meet as 1t was and thought I
ii my duty to keep you AS for the
table, you We're one of the very few I
who came for your lunch. \
con and. having so few friends, you. n
Of course, were here always for din Il
ner. But | never permitted that TO /
affect me in my treatment of you, for
realized that people are growing /:
more and more careful with their in \,
yitations. No, don't interrupt meat IA
least be courteous. I'm not complain
ng at all, Mr., Latchky, but l do
-hink that after all I've done for you,
Ill the interest I've shown in you-a
mother wouldn't have been kinder to
Ter own son-your action is close to
You ought to know me
veil enough to understand that I'm
~ hna
Ill. come from one of the very best
antilles in Virginia-my mothers
wn great-great-great grandfather was
ne of Gen. Washingtons most trust
d adyisers--and it's only my desire
o give young men who haven't had
he best of home influences the bene.
il of my
That's all right, Mrs. Nearfood, but :,
on got your money, didn't you. every !,
londay night, a week in advance. ii
'ithout word of complaint on my" "
IF you're going to show your sor-
idness sufficiently, Mr.. Latchky. TO n,
iake this a financial matter, | might m
smind you of your statement, when 10,
ou came here, that you were very in a,
mate with the best families socially N
Kansas City. You led me to be-
eve that you had entree here, when M
III know, and know, you didn't even CO
'ssess a tuxedo coat. And goodness
lows | gave you every opportunity
make position for yourself-meet-
g in my house, as you do, the very In
eest-" ~;
why, of course, Mrs Nearfood, m
as delighted with your treatment to
ID thank you most earnestly" ia
You have most strange way Of"
But my friend has asked me to da
Ike him in and want you to let us hu
We the large front room on the sec WI
d floor that's been vacant" ar
Very gladly, Mr. Latchky. very Of
ably. | didn't quite understand Won M
first. you know. Have your friend
me at any time--be delighted to lis
ye any of your friends join our lit re'
family. It's a pleasure"
7 hope I'm not interfering with Mr. th'
ashington Fustis's--' CT
Mr. Patrick Henry Custis-Custis. Of
is, said Mrs. Nearfood Don't .h'
that trouble you. No. indeed You aol
ow, these -oung gentlemen from -
: old Southern families are inclined Il'
be somewhat unreliable I'm their euI
1thful days and it's just as well. "''
Latchky, just as well to let him re- GRO
in at the Coates house If neces- IAN
y he can take your old room. you a''s
wv Yes. Hasn't this been a warm
p"
Which puts II up to me-" said d.
-chky softly to himself as he head
for the corner. to force Poler to ~ -,
ne here and take a room with me. ~
q for a few seconds thought I 'ui -
moved. Talked out OF it, and 49,.
-e to bring another victim to save =
self I'm in for life-for life ~.
lsas City Times.