Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-09-04

man tumbling downstairsT' he com
planned.
THAT Will do. Samuel. I've known
Of a grown man tumbling into churn
before now. It's not for you TO make
one single kick about things. felt 1t
in my bones that ! ought TO be here.
aud l started without stopping 10 tie
my shoes. You can go down and get
some sort of a dinner for us both"
IL told you l was going out 10 din
ner."
Eyes, but you are not want you
right here. Go down 10 the kitchen
and start the fire."
Now, look here" he said as he rose
up with pale face, II run this house.
| run myself don't propose that you
shall dictate 10 me one instant. That's
fat"
His Bluff Called.
Samuel" said the visitor In a very
quiet voice, 81 don't think you ever en-
countered an earthquake. You have
read of them, however. and you know
how things sway and totter and the
ground opens TO receive humanity.
You'd better light that fire and pick up
some sort of q dinner"
Mr.. Bowser hung of for about fif-
teen seconds and then shuftied down
to the kitchen. In lighting the fire he
showed the stove covers about and
made as much racket as he could. and
presently a voice at the speaking tube
said:
Samuel, IL you want me to come
down there and pun that range out by
the roots / will do so. but you'll be
pulled with 1t. Notify me in a pleas
ant and well modulated voice when
dinner is ready. and be sure to have
the tea good and strong"
1t was half an hour later when she
was notified. AS she was coming down
she met Mr.. Bowser going up. She
said nothing. but took him by the arm
and walked him back TO the dining
room. He sat down, but refused to
eat.
"Its Just as well that you should fast
4 few days" she said as she noticed
his sulks. "You are too fat anyhow.
l noticed your stomach as l entered
the door"
His teeth could be heard gritting to-
gether. but he made no reply.
"You weren't going to telegraph me,
were youY was sweetly asked after q
bit.
Rounded Up at Last.
mo, 1 wasn't"
"Well. as said. / felt it in my
bones. and so there was no cost for
telegram. Samuel. can't you realize
how useless it is to kick against stone
WALTZ"
Il dunno what you mean" q
Pm your mother-in-law-the only
one you've got. You blow and buster
! but / understand you. You are afraic
of me. / am seventy-three yeas old
but hard as nails. and l am sc' &c
live to be hundred. You will be
under my wing for the next fifteen oil
twenty years. You need me every
hour. All such men as you need 9
| mother-in-law around the house
You've been good enough to get the
dinner, and now If you wait to go vi
| to the library and read Shakespeare u
quiet your nerves you can do So Blu
don't attempt to sneak out Of the house
| Samuel. / can see like cat at night
| and l never leave a trail when I've
| once hit it."
Mr.. Bowser disappeared, and it wal
two hours before he was seen again
J Then the mother-inlaw slipped int
the library and found him fast ASLEEP
| in his chair and his head on the table
! Beside him was a sheet OF paper OF
which be had started TO write a 10
ment. as follows:
| The prisoner sits IN his prison cell.
| And his heart Is aching with woe
! The future is nothing but black despair.
| And the days they will 60 so slow
| o man Who has a mother-in-law.
o man In the shadow who walks.
| O man who beats at the iron bars!
| BY thunder
| And the mother-in-law lifted tn
| sheet and read and grinned ant
! chucklpd