The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-30

buy this house. and they would be will
ing to pay you something over what
was paid for it. 1t won't make much
difference TO you, as you have no chill
dren and one place is as good as an
other"
AS to children, mem" responded Mr..
Smith thoughtfuIy, there will be five
of them down here next week. 'Twasn't
right to bring 'em till we got things
fixed up a bit"
CONSERVATION reigned ii the breasts
of the visitors. Five little Smiths run
ming wild in West Park. There would
not be q whole pane of glass In the
place in two weeks. The necessity for
getting rid of the Smith family was
greater than before.
I'VE will give you $3.50 more than
you paid for the property offered Mrs
Pratt IN a buslnesslike tone. That
Will be q good profit in so short a time.
Will you take lt?'
Couldn't think Of it, men," returned
the affable Mr.. Smith. 'Twouldn't
pay for the expenses Of moving both
ways"
"WiH you take S50o?"
Mr.. Smith had never moved in good
society, but he was nevertheless a man
of keen Judgment. \ faint smile ap-
peared around the corners Of his rather
/ large mouth, and his gray eyes twin
4 kled merrily.
This place was for sale a long time
before Mr.. Elder sold it, warn't it,
menu" he questioned, eying Mrs.
Pratt closely. It's pity your folks
didn't buy then"
They didn't want the house then"
replied Mrs. Pratt evasively. VIII
YOU take the $500, Mr. SMITH"
Then there's two or three houses in
West Park, just as good as this one.
that can be bought for the price this
ere cottage cost" continued Mr.. Smith,
not needing Mrs Pratts question. Il
can't quite make it out, mem, I'M
less
UNLESS what?" demanded Mrs. Pratt
not relishing the searching glance Mr.
Smith fixed upon her.
Unless, men," continued Mr. Smith
slowly, you don't sorter think me and
Marthy good enough for West Park and
want to get rid of us
ooh Mr.. Smith, demurred the three
visitors in chorus, but the telltale
Pushes on their cheeks betrayed the
CONSERVATION that had been wrought
by the unexpected words. what
makes you think such a thing?'
well ladies'" returned Mr. Smith,
without the slightest trace of i'll feel
ing, Il saw one of you pass the other
evening when I was a-sattln' here IN
my shirt sleeves, and that ones nose
was turned up so far that | was 'fraid
1t would get out of j'int Then, when
another of you folks saw Marthy
a-washin' off this ERE porch, that one s
mouth got all puckered up as if she had
been eatin' persimmons. I guess you
think we amt good enough for you
don't your"
1--WE look at it this way, Mr.. Smith, .
stammered Mrs. Pratt nervously, feel
ing devoutly sorry that she had under
taken the plan of purchasing the cot
tage, I'VE don't think you are-ahem-
well, accustomed to such society as
there is in West Park We don't mean
any disrespect, Mr. Smith, but every
one likes to mingle with those who are
congenlal You don't keep any serv
} ants and you won't enjoy it down here
so we thought we'd make you this offer
What do you sayf"
IT'S very kind of you to think Of
/ me-" returned Mr.. Smith, in no way Of
; Tended. I'm sorry, mem, but I mus
say that we're goin' to stay in Wes
Park"
: Good evening" chorused the visitors
: indignant at the failure Of their plaI
and crestfallen at Mr.. Smiths correc
r surmise of their view regarding him.
} "One moment, ladies'" called Mr.
, Smith as his visitors descended tn,
steps. me and Marthy won't lowe
, the tone Of this neighborhood. w
! don't own this house-not much! Mar
l thy she's the cook, and I'm the gar
t dener. We just come down to fix VI
the place for Mr.. Norwood, who's com
: in down next week with his wife ant
| children and three more servants"