Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-03
The Lie
 Charitable
By Harlan Eugene Read
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowlss3


 that wonderful May afternoon, MT. J. Spencer Parker seemed to accomplish no moro than a hunting dog chasing a rabbit in the tall rye. continually jumping up and down and never get. ting anywhere. A dozen times he walked resolutely toward the brass door-knob of 1916, and as many times he concluded to saunter languidly past, as if he had no other reason for appearing in that neighborhood than simply to sun himself. But finally he summond up courage enough to pull the bellknob, and an imitation cow-bell tinkled in the back of the house.
 "J Spencer Parker. upon my word" exclaimed the middle-aged woman who came to the door. And pray what brings you here to-day?
 She spoke in sweet, musical tone, in pleasing harmony with the diff dent demeanor of her guest. whose every motion was quiet and respect able, and whose voice sound ed strange ly like hers, as he replied: "Just wis. iting, ma'am. I wished to pay you my regards, Mrs. Simpson. and to con gratulate you upon Mir. Watkins, who is coming to board with you.
 Congratulate mel" cried Mrs. Simpson. Why, am indeed delight ed to hear that Do you know, have never seen him yet?'
 "Yes?" The look in MT. Parkers eyes was far away as he replied, and his body bent forward attentively, T have known MT. Watkins-Jeremiah Watkins, ma'am-from boy. l am glad he is come to such a home as yours"
 Indeed, you please me, MT. Parker" returned Mrs. Simpson. T shall be especially happy to tell our boarders what sort of person they may ex- pect."
 MT. Parker gave sudden start, but carefully recovered himself. "Ah, he said, that's what I came to tell you of."
 "Indeed?"
 Yes, MT. Watkins is a--a-a gen. tleman."
 Again the courteous speaker leaned forward as he spoke, struggling awk. wardly for the next word-"but want you to know that he is a-a gentle man."
 "Ah!" returned Mrs. Simpson, with ready intuition. Then he is perhaps eccentric?"
 Not exactly" replied MT. Parker, thoughtfully and sweetly, "but he looks, let me say, he looks rougher than he is.'
 But he is-"
 "Yes," said MT. Parker. "He is a gentleman"
 Half an hour later the door closed softly, and J. Spencer Parker came down the front steps of 1916. at first smiling, and then sadly, walking with slow, unsteady step. As he passed by the little corner grocery store, he paused and smote himself pathetically on the breast.
 "Liar!" he said. grooming. "Liar! And yet-it had to be done. God forgive mel"
 Anyone who had happened to see Mir. Parker's friend. Mir. Jeremy Wat. kins, on the next day, when he came with his trunks to 1916, might have been excused for cherishing the sus. picion that he was not exactly Beau Brummel or Lord Chesterfield. He cursed the baggage man for letting his trunk fall roughly to the ground, and quarreled with him over his fee; and, to further give vent to his feel. ings, he strode to the door and gave the bell knob a vicious jerk. There was not a look on his face or a ges. ture of his body that did not reveal him a coarse, ill-mannered young man, properly of the stable. rather than the house. His square, rough face. with its loose mouth and broad nose, his burly shoulders and big hands, and his clothing. inviolate with re- spect to any previous contact with the whisk broom, bespoke vulgarity of person that he did not attempt to con ceal. It seemed almost impossible that he should be a friend or acquaint. ance of such person as J. Spencer Parker.
 Mrs. Simpson. radiant, sweet and fresh. appeared at the door. and gazed at him for a moment. Then. seeing his trunks. she extended her hand and said:
 Mir. Watkins. I suppose?"
 Yes" ]. Watkins was on the point of asking her who in h-l she thought he was, with two trunks right there before her eyes: but something in her ladylike manner evidently different from what he had been accustomed to. him
 T am SO glad to see you she went on. So glad to know that we are to have you here. We are almost like a family here. and SO you can imagine how much was pleased to learn that our new lodger was a cul. tivated gentleman"
 Watkins flushed angrily. supposing that che vas making sport of him. but one glance st her frank. ingenious lace convinced him of her sincerity.
 Some one must have been here" he stammered. Encomfortably, telling you about me"
 Yes replied Mrs. Simpson. -Mr. Parker vas here yesterday. He thinks