The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-08-07
was half an hour late"


was half an hour late"
(Mental memo. made by Mrs. Bow
ser: She was married In the evening,
! and 1t didn't rain at all)
After talking with Sammy over the
wire last night" continued the uncle,
II tried to figure out what his age
must be. / make It about fifty-eight.
How does he bear his ageT
(Another memo: He had the age
nine years too much)
Mrs. Bowser distrusted the man on
sight, but as he was Mr. Bowser's IN
Gle John she did her best to entertain
him. In his conversation he made slip
after slip, until she had no less than
ten recorded against him, but she gave
him plenty of rope. He informed her
that he was dealer in horses and re-
lated many particulars Of his career
and family. In all the conversation he
did not mention his name. He simply
referred to himself as Uncle John.
Mr.. Bowser came home full of curl
osity, and there was q great shaking
of hands. Uncle John was accepted at
once. He slapped Sammy on the back,
and Sammy slapped him. He related
many things that Sammy had done
when youth which the doer
couldn't recall. but didn't dispute. At
the dinner table Mrs. Bowser plumply
asked for his name. He halted and
hesitated and finally gave 1t as Burt.
MIR. Bowser was laughing and didn't
catch on. His mothers name was
Stevens IL Uncle John was her broth
er his name should be Stevens too. 1t
was now plain to Mrs. Bowser that
the fellow was fraud, but she made
no change In her demeanor.
Dinner over. the two men sat down
to smoke their cigars, while she saw
to the clearing up. An hour later, as
she was ready TO sit down and help
entertain the relative, she heard few
words that sent her upstairs instead.
Fifteen minutes later Mr.. Bowser
came up. He had 500 in cash in his
dresser and he was after the money.
She looked at him inquiringly, and he
said:
Uncle John has snap on hand and
IL l put this hundred in / double 1t In
three days"
How kind Of your uncle! Are you
sure Of the relationship
"Am I sure that I'm alive?"
Questioned and Led TO Door.
Your mothers maiden name was
Stevens This mans name is Burt.
How could they be brother and sister.
The snap he has on hand is to snap
your hundred. Go down and ask him
what your fathers first name was.
You never had brother Ben. but ask
this man II he ever knew Ben Bow
ser. I'm telling you straight. Mr.. Bow
ser. he's sharper"
For once in his life Mr.. Bowser took
advice. He went down and carelessly |
asked about brother Ben, and the |
caller laughed and replied:
"Oh, yes, remember your brother
Ben well. Nice boy. Ben was. Give
him my regards when you write him."
"And my sister Kitty" Gle never
had one.)
"Ah. Kitty was the beauty of the |
Bowser family. Sweetest girl I ever
saw. / trust she married wellY
Very well, indeed. Uncle John, l |
give you two minutes to get outside
my gatew
"Why, Sammy Bowserv
Sammy took him by the neck and
led him to the door and put a shoe
against him. and the "uncle" went
word. Mrs. Bowser felt
hat she deserved word Of praise for
her share, but when she said so Mr..
Bowser turned on her with:
why, i spotted that fellow over the
telephone last night and was just
irawing him on! can't see where you
,ome into this thing at ALL"