Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-01-30
Untimely Messages.

turning Of the human worm comes
from the Chicago Record Herald. For
several weeks Raymond had been the
only tenant Of his house. Mrs. Ray
mond and the children were waiting
in the South for the weather to settle.
Late one evening, when Raymond was
in his bsthtub, he heard somebody
ringing the front door bell.
He decided not to pay any atten-
tiOn to it. The person who wa. doing
the ringing would presently get the
idea that nobody was at home and 60
away.
But the ringing continued. Ray
mond went on Scrubbing his back with
the long-handled brush and rubbing
soap over himself and hoping that the
individual who was ringing the bell
might be good enough to quit before
the battery was exhausted or the wires
were worn out. At last, when he
could stand it no longer, he got out Of
the water, put on bath robe and went
to the front window, from which he
WAS able TO see who was at the door.
he beheld a telegraph messenger
and at once began to feel queer in the
region of the heart. Something had
happened to his wife or one Of the
children.
"Be down in a minute |" be called
to the boy, and he was as good as his
word. he did not wait to put on any
more clothes. He even forgot that he
was barefootsd.
When he had opened the door the
boy handed him what looked like a
telegraph, but was, in fact, only
clever imitation of one He tore open
the envelope and read the message:
Dear Sir: Have you examined our
ten-dollar overcoats2 If not, you
should do so at once. They will in
terest you. DAsHINGToN.
The boy, who wore uniform like
that OF telegraph messenger, depart
ed while Raymond was reading the
advertisement, and thus probably saw
ed himself from being personally as
saulted.
Raymond was angry. he threw the
piece of paper on the floor and stamp
ed his heel on it, but, being barefooted,
he hurt his heel more than he did the
advertisement. This did not improve
his temper.
His anger increased as the moments
passed. When he went to bed he was
in fighting mood. He wondered if
it might be possible to prosecute man
who counterfeited telegraph blanks for
the purpose of deceiving the people.
BE tossed about, nursing his anger
against Dashington and vowing that
he would go naked through the streets
rather than buy so much as a necktis
at the Dashington store. Finally at
about two o'clock in the morning a
happy thought struck him.
He hoped out of bed, went to the
telephone, found DaHhington's house
number and called forit. Reasonably
soon somebody Sleepily asked what
was wanted.
"Is this Mr.. Dashington'S resi-
dence2"
Yes"
~ should like to speak to him."
"Hs can't be disturbed at this time
of night. Call in the morning"
mo; I must speak to him now"
won't you give me your msssagsr
mo; must speak to him personally"
"But do you realize what timeit is ?"
Eyes, but 1 am very ANXIOUS to
speak to him at once Please call him
to the telephone Immediately"
After long time another sleepy
voice was heard.
"Hellol Is this Darlington ? asked
Raymond.
eyes"
"Well, l just wanted to tell you
that got your telegram late this ev.
sning, and l don't care to look at any
of those tsn-dollsr oVercoats.
thought you'd be anxious to know
whether the messenger succeeded in
finding me, so r.
There were jumblsd chunks Of Ian
guage mixed with sounds indicating
that the instrument at the other end
was being subjested to har1h usage.
and then silence. After this Ray
mond went back to peaceful sleep and
pleasant dreams Youths COmpGn.
ION