The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-04-13
THAT INVENTORY /:
WHAT CANE or A HURRY
BY LEAH INGERsoLl.


Copyright. 1909. by American Press Assoc
ciation.l
The Chamberlains. desiring to spend
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 an old couple,
demanded that there be an inventory.
stipulating that they would send a
man to compare it with the articles be-
fore It was signed. Mrs. Chamberlain
being an invalid, was hurried or by
her physician, leaving her daughter.
Belle. to turn over the premises and
agreed to send man to make the com
parison at II o'clock. At IL he had
not appeared. Belle, desiring to leave
the city at 4, 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 to say something when
she forestalled 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:
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 offered him
and followed her. Once In the draw
Ing room she began to call on in 4
businesslike tone: .One rug Sxl0. one
rug Pa. one rug 6x5. one plano. 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 business
college?~
"No. Why do you askT
Il never knew a girl so business
like
zone easy chair. one lounge. one ma
hogany desk
Il beg pardon! Are you sure that
desk is mahogany" he asked.
-0f course am"
Il did not understand that the ma.
terial In the articles was to be speci.
l Gad Cnnro,a \ x.ara - nnrx;fx- 49,. a. :.
desk Is mahogany and IL should turn
out TO be black Walnut
suppose the tenants" said Belle
with an omlDous fash In her eye.
'were TO send a Ounce to compare the
| list"
That depends upon what consti.
tutes a Ounce. My definition Of Ounce
Is one who certifes to that which be
doesn't know
do you mean to tell me that you
don't know mahogany from BLACK wal
nut?-
Il question II 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 tel
the difference between a rose and q
thistleT'
"Quite sure. would no more blum
der between a thistle and rose thar
I would mistake myself for you"
Belle gave him another quick glancs
| "A somewhat different one.
;. "Are you aware that have Just 81
much time and no more to get through
this work."
The more reason why you shouIt
!. not spend II at such ridiculous task
well. upon my word. Did Mr. nnt
Mrs. Riddleton send you here on thi
: business TO spend your time criticisinl
! themT'
.It Is Mrs. Rlddleton who has Insist
ed on this inventory. She Is q nerv
Gus. fitful. fretful old woman"
Z Belle stood ready to burst with ir
ritation and indignation.
-well, I declare" she said. "Wha
am I 10 dor An inventory TO be CON
, pared. and the person sent TO eompar
II thinks be knows more about IL
necessity than
"you wish to leave at 3. II Is no,
al /. Suppose we put the inventory o
the door aud walk over IL. That wi
. enable me 10 report to Mrs. Khdleto
FL that we have gone over It. We ca
Al then sit down aud spend the time froi
now till 8 In a quiet chat"
Belle was 50 full Of astonHhmen
j not to say contempt for this n,etbo
1 VI evading duty that she could nc
ind words for some time. Then st
said:
e "you are 10 clever at inyenting sui
. terfuges perhaps you can invent som
way TO IN me out OF this business.
asked about the matter ! shall tell n
h truth, you may be sure Of that"
you will not be asked about II. Il
IL shall cease to exist" lie threw "A
!. inventory into a hre burning on u
v hearth.
Upon my word. Did ever any OF
see such impudence In an
"a whatf'
I, "Understrapper."
d "whefe are the leasesT
.Here on the desk. Father HI
signed them. The tenant is TO sic
and forward them"