Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-07-07
THAT INVENTORY
WHAT CAME or A HURRY
By LEAH iNGE2SOLL.

By LEAH iNGE2SOLL. Copyright, lG9 by American Press Asso-
 ciatlon.I
 The Chamberlaiis. desiring to spend a longer season than usual in the coun- try on account of Mrs. Chamberlan's Is house furnished The tenants. whom the agent reported to be an old couple, demanded that there be an inventory. stipulatlng that they would send q 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 q later train. The tenants had agreed to send q man to make the com parison at II o'clock. At 12 he had the city at l. became impatient. Just as she was about to telephone to the agent an inquiry as to the delay there was ring at the bell She opened the door, and there stood young man. He was about Co say something when she forestallcd him;
 You're late. There is two hours work to do. must leave here at g."
 She led the way into the library, took a document from desk and contin- ued:
 Heres the inventory and heres a pencil AS point out the articles check them. We'll begin with the drawing room."
 The man took what she offered him and followed her Once in the draw ing room she began to call off in a businesslike tone: "One rug Sx10, one rug 2xf. one rug GxJ, one piano. one sofa," and so on till she had enumer- 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 q business college?"
 No Why do you ask?"
 "l never knew q girl so business like"
 "One easy chair. one lounge, one ma hogany desk"
 T beg pardon! Are you sure that desk is mahogany" he asked.
 "Of course am"
 ''l cid not understand that the ma terial in the articles was to be speci- fled. Suppose l were to certify that the desk is mahogany and 1t should turn out to be black walnut
 Suppose the tenants" said Belle, with an ominous flash in her eye. ''were to send dunce to compare the list"
 That depends upon what consti- tutes dunce. My definition of dunce Is one who certiiies to that which he doesn't know"
 Do you mean to tell me that you don't know mahogany from black wal nutT'
 "l question If could tell mahogany from rosewood"
 Belle was rapidly getting out of pa tience. She glanced at clock on the mantel
 Are you quite sure you could tell the difference between rose and thistley'
 Quite sure. would no more blum der between a 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 uot spend it at such ridiculous task" Well. upon my word, Did MT. and Mrs. Middleton send you here on this business to spend your time criticising them?"
 "lt is Mrs. Riddleton who has insist ed on this inventory. She is nerv- ous. fitful. fretful old woman"
 Belle stood ready to burst with ir- ritation and indignation.
 Well, l declare.' she said. What Gm to do: An inventory to be com pared, and the person sent to compare it thinks he knows more about it's necessity than
 You wish to leave at 3. It is now 1. Suppose we put the inventory on the floor and walk over it. That will