The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-03

lines controlled by Hartman that he could not make Connections or touch the wire for a small Loan. In fact, it was about fifteen years l before he landed back at his birth place. He hardly knew the town on account of the new Carnegie Library and also because the Waiting Room at the Station had been swept during his absence.
 When he arrived at the Old Home stead he hesitated about putting right in. He was afraid the Joy of seeing him again might overcome somebody.
 He was undecided whether to slip his Card under the door or throw his Hat over the transom, and he made up his mind to do a little rubbering and find out the lay of the ground.
 So he looked in through the window and saw quite a number of Children that he never had met. Also there was Philip, his old time rival spread out on Morris Chair.
 Annie was present. looking like Ready Money.
 Tt seems that somebody else has jumped in and Is filling my Dates," said Enoch. T would go in and sort out my own Children. but I don't like to make any trouble for them so near Supper Time
 He was about to depart when Annie, who had seen him lettering about the premises, came out and spoke to him pleasantly.
 Tt seems to me we have met" she said.
 Enoch told her his Name and men tioned several Mutual AcQuaintances, and finally Annie got his Number.
 Now I can place you she exclaim- ed. You are the Gentleman I mar ried first of an."
 "Evidently I made quite an Impress sion upon you, or you would not re- member me all these Years" said Enoch, much gratifed. T haven't been home now far a good many years, up with Business Affairs and had to attend a Meeting of the Directors and call on a Customer from St. Paul and dictate some letters, and besides the Train was late. I hope you haven't been worrying about me-"
 Not at all" replied Annie. "A real bright woman who can play Bridge and has got the Club Habit can keep house for weeks at time without having Husband near the place."
 Have you been true to the Vows you made at the Altar?' asked Enoch.
 Four times" was the reply You see, after you had been away eight weeks without dropping even Re- mittancc, I was told that l could prove a case of Desertion, so I cut the Cable and make d very satisfactory Matrimo- nial Arrangement with Philip. We got l along very well for two years, but when we repapered the Front Room he 1 selected a design of pale Morning Glo- 1 ries, while l preferrd a Holland Ef- feet with funny Pictures around the 1 Border. We could not agree, and in view of this Incompatibility of Temper there was only one thing to do. told | him to roll his Hoop and one morning I went up to the Court House and got l my second Decree"
 Then, why do I find him here, frol- | icking with the childrenY'
 The Court has given orders that he shall be allowed to come here one day every week. We are very good Friends, | There was a time when woman | usually had a prejudice against former Husbands, but nowadays more liberal spirit seems to pervade the upper stra- ta of Society. After l gave Philip his Walking Papers and nailed No. 3, he came over quite often to show the New C,le how to regulate the Furnace.
 Where is No. now?" asked Enoch taking a Pencil from his pocket and checking them off
 He wearied ot my cooking, ex- planned Annie. The Judge decided that Fudges and Tea every Sunday evening constitHted Cruelty on my part. l did not make any fight on the splt-out, because I got half of the Property"
 Being once more free, what was your next move?"
 T did as all the others dol went out looking for more trouble. No. was what you might designate an On ion He had lived at one of those European hotels thirty years, and had an awful time getting him house broke, learnedI that when a mar l past forty five gets married he ism