The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1909-07-21
THAT INVENTORY /:
BY LEAH lNeERsoLL.
WHAT CANE OF a HURRY
) eoooooeoeooooooooeooa

ciation.l
The Chamberlains. desiring to spend
a longer season than usual in the coun.
try on account of Mrs. ChamberlaIn's
health. had decided to rent their town
house furnished. The tenants, whom
the agent reported to be IN old couple,
demanded that there be an inventory.
STIMULATING that they would send a
man TO compare 1t with the articles be.
fore it was signed. Mrs. Chamberlain.
being an invalid. was hurried OF by
her physician. leaving her daughter.
Belle. to turn over the premises and
take later train. The tenants had
agreed TO send man to make the com
( parIson at II O'Clock. At y lie had
not appeared. Belle. desiring 10 leave
the city at i. became impatient. Just
us she was about 10 telephone to the
agent an inquiry as to the delay there
was a ring ut the bell. She opened
the door. and there stood young man.
He was about to say something when
she forestalled him:
You're late. There Is two hours
work TO do. must leave here ut g."
She led the way into the library, took
a document from a desk ana contin.
ued:
Here's the inventory and here's a
pencil. AS point out the articles
check them. Wen begin With the
drawing room"
The man took what she ofFeed him
and followed her. Ouce in the draw
ing room she began to call Of In a
businesslike tone: "one rug SxiO, one
rug 2x4, one rug Gx5, one piano. one
sofa" and so on TIL she mad gunner
ated every article In the room. Then
she started for the next apartment
Before beginning the checking again
the young man said:
"Have you ever attended a business
college?"
NO. Why do you ask"
Il never knew q girl so business
like
zone easy chair. one lounge. one ma
hogany desk
Il beg pardon. Arc you sure that
desk is mahogany" he asked.
"Of course am"
II did not understand that the ma.
terial in tn articles was to be speci-
fed. Suppose were to certify that the
desk is mahogany and 1t should urn
out TO be black Walnut"
Suppose the tenants" said Belle.
with an omInous flash IN her eve,
were to send a Ounce to compare the
list"
That depends upon what corstl.
tutes Ounce. My definition Of Ounce
is one who certihes to that which he
doesn't know
DO you mean to tell me that ,ou
don't know mahogany from black val
nut:"
81 question If could tell mahos,ay
from rosewood
Belle was rapidly getting out of ~
tence. She glanced at clock on tie
mantcl.
Are you quite sure you could til
the difference between n rose and a
thIStIe?"
Quite sure. would no more blum
der between thistle and rose than
would mistake myself FOR you"
Belle gave him another quick glance
"A somewhat different one.
Are you aware that have Just so
much time and no more to get through
this work."
The more reason why you should
not spend It at such ridiculous task"
We'll. upon my word. Did Mr.. and
Mrs. Ridd!eton send you here on this
business to spend your time criticlsins
them:"
1T is Mrs. Riddleton who has insist
ed on this inventory. She is a nerv-
Gus. fitfu!. fretful old woman"
Belle stood ready to burst with r.
ritaion and Indignation.
We'll. declare she said. What
an l to do? An inventory to be COM
pared, and the person sent to compare
1t thinks he knows more about its
necessity than
You wish to leave at 3. 1t IS now
l. Suppose we put the inventory on
the floor and walk over It. That Will
enable me TO report to Mrs. Middleton
that We have gone over it We can
then sit down and spend the time from
now TIL 8 in u quiet chat"
Belle was SO full Of establishment,
not 10 say contempt, for this method
Of evaGIns duty that she could not
ind words for some time. Then she
said:
You are so clever ut inventing sub
terfuSeS perhaps you can invent some
way TO let me out of this business. II
asked about the matter shall tell the
truth, you may be sure Of that" 10.
You VIII not be asked about Il for
1t shall cease to exist" BE threw the
inventory into a dre burning on the
hearth
Upon my word! Did ever any one
see Such irnDU1nDca In oOs