The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-14

hearth rug In a demure way n TAX
ing in the conversation and the situa-
OF d sadden his emotions over
came him, and he rolled over on his
back with his legs up and chuckied
and said to himself:
I've lived in this family going on !
FIVE years and if there isn't a %circT1s
coming then I'm way of in my CALI. ola
tons"
Il must get some carnIp Of the first
peddler that coAes along explained
Mrs. BQwsef> Being that it's my
birthday DON'T you want to run into
Green's with me for a few minutes?
She hoped to put Mr.. BOwser of, but
it was a vain hope. He made a men
tai resolve to hit the cat with the
crowbar at the first favorable oppor-
tunity and rose up and said:
Not going to Green's tonight, my
dear. You are dying to know what
sort Of a surprise party l have for
you, and won't keep you waiting"
On reaching home that evening be
had left a bundle in the vestibule. He
now passed down the hall and got 1t,
and between curiosity and fear Mrs.
Bowser found her heart beating as If
there were burglars in he house.
Presents His Gift.
~ don't expect you to jump over the
house for JOY" be observed as he IN
tied the string, but l do hope you'll
appreciate what l have here. was
looking around to buy something when
| happened into an auction room and
picked up these bargains. They ara
not only bargains, but there are mem
cries connected with them. BehOld!'
And he held up a blue velvet Shirt
and waist trimmed with silver buttons
and braid of the same material an
watched for a cry Of delight. M
Bowser instantly recognized it as {"
dress worn by one of the fairies in !:
comic opera-a fairy about sixte@..
years old and weighing about nin'
pounds.
"Well?" queried Mr.. Bowser I'M
tientiy.
Its very nice"
mice! It's a dream. It's the Gre
worn by Marie Antoinette on her W.
| titlS uGS bSI L "a piA 4 ~
dime museum man came rushing :;
and offered ne $c5 for ny bargain
And look at thc@e.'
The fairy had worn gay stockings tc
match the dress. There were six pairs
and they alone had guaranteed the sue
cess OF the opera.
These stockings were worn by Eu
genie when she was driven into exile
explained Mr.. Bowser as he dangleC
them on his hands. And once more"
Taken In as Usual.
"Once more" meant a pair Of res
slippers with silver cord runnin,
around them. They were hardly lar&
enough for Mrs. Bowser to get b.,
thumbs into them. In the goodness y
his heart Mr.. Bowser had bought SOL?
thing. AS usual, he had also been ia
en- in and done for.
II meant 'em for you when W
20 out to a high tea" he haltingly eS
planned.
Mrs. Bowser tried to smile, but tn
effort was In vain.
"Or you can wear them when yo'
are giving a euchre party"
Mrs. Bowser tried to say something
but the words would not come.
The cat grinned and chuckled an
purred. and the clock went tck-a-tacl
as the spring gusts moaned around tn
gables and played tag among the chin
neys.
every we'll, madam" said Mr.. Bow
ser after a long and painful pause. 4"
am now going out. l may not be bac
for an hour-for three hours-for tire
years. know when q house has falle
on me. Good night, madam"
She tried her best to say something
. to smile. to laugh. to thank him for hi
kindness, but she seemed to be -froze1
And Mr.. Bowser Went forth into tn
spring night and the rain and the sol
bling winds and walked and walked an
walked, and when last seen by any n
spectacle, responsible person he wa
headed for somewhere and walking l
=, the middle of the road. NJ. QUAD.