Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-10-10
LATCHKY
RECONSIDERS


food, that I'll have to change at the
end of my week on Monday"
J you mean that you are going to
give UP your room permanently, Mr..
Latchky?"
rYes, I've. been here ever since
came to Kansas City and you see,
have a friend who boards out on the
south side, and he's asked me-"
well, I'm very glad you mentioned
it as l was just putting off asking
you for your room. didn't like to
disturb you, but there's young man
from Virginia young Southern
gentleman-who's 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 il their staying is
loss to me-and Mr.. Custis-Patrick
Henry Custis 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. Washington's
wife. and Mr. Custis himself being a
direct descendant on his mothers
side. of Mr.. Henry-has been living
at Baltimore simply waiting until I
could find 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 a
boarder. I've had any number of OPP
portunities to rent your room for more
than / received from you, but you
seemed so hard to be trying to make
your way and l realized that your
salary was hardly sufficient to make
both ends meet as 1t was and thought
It my duty to keep you. AS for the
table, you were one of the very few
gentlemen who came for your lunch
con and, having so few friends, you,
of course, were here always for din
ner. But I never permitted that to
affect me in my treatment of you, for
realized that people are growing
more and more careful with their in
vitations. No, don't interrupt meat
least be courteous. I'm not complain
ing at all, Mr.. Latchky, but / do
think that after all I've done for you,
all the interest I've shown in you-a
mother wouldn't have been kinder TO
her own son-your action is close to
ingratitude. You ought to know me
well enough to understand that I'm
not forced to keep boarders-not at
ALL come from one of the very best
families in Virginia-my mothers
own great-great-great grandfather was
one of Gen. Washington's most trust
ed advisers-and it's only my desire
to give young men who haven't had
the best of home influences the bene-
fit Of my"
That's all right, Mrs. Nearfood, but
you got your money, didn't you, every
Monday night, week in advance.
without word of complaint on my"
IF you're going to show your sor-
didness sufficiently, Mr.. Latchky, to
make this financial matter, / might
remind you of your statement, when
you came here, that you were very in.
innate with the best families socially
in Kansas City. You led me to be.
lieve that you had entree here, when
you know, and know, you didn't even
possess tuxedo coat. And goodness
knows I gave you every opportunity
to make position for yourself-meet.
ing in my house, as you do, the very
incest"
"Why, of course, Mrs. Nearfood,
was delighted with your treatment
and thank you most earnestly"
"You have a most strange way Of"
"But my friend has asked me to
take him in and I want you to let us
have the large front room on the Sec
ond floor that's been vacant"
very gladly, Mr.. Latchky, very
gladly. / didn't quite understand you
at first, you know. Have your friend
come at any time-be delighted to
have any of your friends join our lit
tie family. It's a pleasure"
81 hope I'm not interfering with Mr..
Washington Fustis's-"
"Mr. Patrick Henry Custis-Custis,
1t is," said Mrs. Nearfood. Don't
let that trouble you. No, indeed. You
know, these young gentlemen from
the old Southern families are inclined
to be somewhat unreliable in their
youthful days and it's just as well,
Mr.. Latchky, just as well to let him re-
main at the Coates house. If neces-
sary he can take your old room, you
Enow Yes Hasn't this heen warm
day."
(Which puts 1t up to me-" said
Latchky softly to himself as he head.
ed for the corner, ito force Poler to
come here and take room with me.
And for a few seconds thought
had moved. Talked out of it, and
have to bring another victim to save
myself. I'm in for life-for life
Kansas City Times.