Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-03-25
CHAPTER XVII.
A Dinner for Two.

A Dinner for Two.
A little knot of rustics loafng idly
about the blacksmiths forge gaped
open-mouthed at the two actors as
they passed with that half-resentful
stare that the sight of stranger
seems frequently to provoke in remote
country districts, and bucolic with
cism that had a distinct reference to
the fur-coat ruff1ed Monty's dignity
little as it floated to them on guf-
faw of laughter.
Joe marched boldly into the open
door of the Wheatsheaf inn, through
the low-ceiled passage into the sand
ed bar parlor, where they found the
landlord sitting smoking in his shirt
sleeves-a burly, red-faCed man, with
q countenance that could not be truth
fully called pleasant Monty made a
mental note of his inches and shiv-
cred He wished the man had not
been quite SO big, for it was quite con-
ceivable that the landlord might hold
other views than JOe's hopeful maxim
about credit being one of the most
valuable props Of trade.
Apparently no misgivings troubled
Joe.
The comedian marched into the bar
parlour with the coolest air of assur-
ance, nodded pleasantly to the land
lord, and dropped into one of the
spindly arm-chairs.
well here we are, landlord. UP
to time, too. Hope you've followed
instructions and got the meal ready
to dish straight from the oven. We're
just about famished. Nice cosy little
place you have here, Glad Mr. Gabbi-
tas recommended us to come to YOU"
The landlord stared at the speaker
in stOlid amazement He slowly re-
moved his pipe from his mouth as if
about to speak; then apparently
thought better of it and replaced his
pipe, still staring at Joe in silence.
Don't know what you're talking
about" he said at last, slowly, as
though words were precious things,
only to be expended sparingly.
Joe's face changed to an expression
of apparent dawning CONSERVATION.
"You-you don't mean to say you
didn't get my telegram-my wire from
Slaton this morning, landlord?" he
gasped half rising in his chair.
Monty stared at his friend, COM
pletely mystifed. For a moment
doubts of Joes sanity foated through
his mind Joe's eye met his for a
q second, warningIy; he remembered
that his friend had said he was to
leave it all to him, Joe.
The landlord shook his head
Don't know nothing of no tele-
grams he said uninterestedly, in his
broad Yorkshire lingo.
ooh, but you must be joking, land
lord!" Joe appeared to be utterly
taken aback by the statement. "No
telegram telling you that two gentle
men on a walking tour would arrive
about one O'Clock, hungry and dusty
you can't say we arn't dusty, and you
take nv word for it that we shall
do justice to your viands!-and that
you were to have ready the best hot
dinner you could manage? You didn't
get the telegram"
The landlord shook his head in a
surly way Monty felt uncomfortable
conscious that the man was regarding
his boots with a cold eye that was
Photographic in its observation. One
boot was minus heel. The heel had
worked loose during the last half mile,
and Monty had been compelled to
wrench it off.
know nothing of no kilograms"
the publican said again. "You didn't
address it here"
mot address it here? But this is
the Wheatsheaf, Needingworth ?" cried
Joe.
well | wasn't aware on it myself"
said the landlord, with his exasperat-
ing stolidity. "You see, this'ere vii
lage happens to be Westham."
mot Needingworth?" cried Joe.
His face was the picture of surprise.
Monty was utterly bewildered. What
on earth was Joe driving at? Do
you say this is Westham?'
well, I was allus brought up to
think so, and I've lived ERE since a
lad; but, of course, if you say it isn't
I may be wrong" said the publican,
unamiably, with labored sarcasm.
"Needingworth's matter of four
miles farther"