The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-24

CtDSTutStB steut.
was engaged in her usual pleasant oc-
cupation of criticising-or knocking"
as Joe called it.
Brooks was in dinner coat and bore
other external evidences Of his pros.
perity, which, however, was being
purchased at considerable physical
cost, for he had become thinner and
was pale and haggard. The worry his
new position occasioned him was
plain to be seen, and he was in an ex-
ecrably surly mood and as nervous as
the proverbial cat.
"As I was saying to joe" observed
Mrs. Harris, turning to Emma and
Beth, "for a hotel Of this character
the coffee is not what it might be. It's
terribly bitter. Otherwise l liked the
dinner. Yes, on the whole, liked the
dinner. But If l were you, Joe. I'd
complain about your waiter"
whats the matter with himT
asked Emma.
Rather impertinent and"-
"That waiter suits me, and haven't
heard Emma kicking" cut In Joe.
But Mrs. Harris was not to be sup
pressed by any snubbing from him.
STILL" she persisted, 81 think for
the money you are paying here"-
For the money am paying here"
he retorted. I'm satisfied. 1t seems to
me that that is all there is to it."
Mother, dear, please don't find
fault" urged Emma. "It is all so
much better than 1t has been. think
you should be happy to see things as
they are"
$50 much better than Emma's had
for so long," chimed in Beth.
Brooks scowled at her and, gathering
up some more papers from the table,
retreated with them to his chair and
began to peruse them rather fever
ishly.
II never read the papers any more
declared Mrs. Harris. "All they have
are scandal, murders and men who steal
money from their firms. My-I don't
know what the world is coming tor
Wasn't it terrible about that man
yesterday walking out Of the bank
with small fortune~ said Beth.
| II can't understand how a man can
deliberately steal," shifted her mother
especially when there isn't a chance
on earth of getting away"
Hes the man who gave all the
money to some woman, isn't her
Emma wanted to know.
eyes. He'll have plenty Of time tc
think it over. The penitentiary isn't
a bit too good for men like him."
II felt so sorry for his wife, pool
woman" remarked Beth. She'll hav,
to stand most OF the trouble"
Brooks jumped S2 impatiently, bit
ing his nails with annoyance.
where's the rest Of this paperT' ht
demanded. ~ want the part with the
racing chart. It's marked Past Per
formances.'
"Oh, know-what Jimsy calls tn,
dope sheet" said Emma. "There q
is."
Mrs. Harris looked horrified.
"Joe, you certainly aren't interested
In races-horse racesT she interro
gated.
"Yes, l am," he snapped. 'I dom
play 'em, but like to look 'em over
What OF itr
They're awful" declared Beth
That's exactly why most men stea
money"
"Well. dearie, Joe isn't stealing mon
ey or playing races. so don't get wor
ried," commented Emma, a little testify
Mrs. Harris persisted.
Captain Williams says that tn
race track ruins more young mel
and
Her son-in-law had been waxin
more and more exasperated.
"For heavens sake" he broke OF
angrily, wiping the perspiration frol
his face, cant you find somethin
better to talk about than ruined mel
thieves and fellows who 80 wrongr'
"Why, Joe, what's the mAttsEf" .