Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-08

I face I'll confess TO n weakness for
the city" he admitted sheepishIy. II
wasn't cut out for farmer. Dorothy.
although I do love to be with you all
| day long here in the country. There is
/ something abont the life and hustle OF
the city that calls me. I wish we
might keep this for country home
and live as we always have done. In
town during the winter"
Some day we Will" encouraged
Dorothy. with her sweet smile. Let
rs 90 downstairs
All at once the great knocker on the
/ front door was lifted three times and
Il T2soundinG racket echoed through
the sparsely furnished house.
''Who can that be?" gasped Dor
/ othy as she drew near her husband.
Some .neiShbor." he assured her as
he led the way down to the lower
floor. While Dorothy lighted the bay
berry candles and set the table for
supper Austin went to the door and
flung it open.
There at the curb throbbed and pull
stated a monster touring car. In It
were three shadowy forms. while a
fourth stood on the doorstep.
Hottie innr' called the man on
the doorstep Justify. LET US in. good
people, and show US what you can do
by way Of entertainment"
This is not an inn." said Austin
brusquely. ''You will find a very good
one at the end of this street"
NAY, tbs not So" corrected the
other. "dany's the time have safe
here in the bar OF the Blue Boar and
slipped my glass o. teddy. Come in,
boys: landlord says all are welcome
and that he viii broil chickens for US.
/ Make haste. my man."
Austin planted his feet firmly in the
doorway. IT'S cold night and you
| are welcome to come in and have
bite to eat. but there won't be any
thing to drink unless l can ind some
appleiack."
The four entered with noisy hilarity,
and il was plain to be seen that they
were all in a state of semiintoXica-
ton. They were well dressed men. and
! their faces were not unpleasing.
though more than one of them showed
signs Of dissipation.
With the impression that the sooner
/ he served these unwelcome guests the
earlier he would be rid Of their doubt
full companionship. Austin beckoned
/ Dorothy into the kitchen and together
| they concocted a tray full of refresh
ments that were mostly got from the
provision box. A large piece of cheese.
a large loaf of Vienna bread, but
| ter. cold boiled ham and a pitcher
of applejack completed a repast that
! brought forth q cheer from the group
gathered before the dining room fire.
Suddenly they looked at Austin in
his festal garments of drab velvet and
cherry satin. with gray silk hose and
buckled shoes. and at Dorothy peepinS
around the door gorgeous in blue bro
/ cade With one accord they arose ana
| touched their glasses.
It's George Washington and Mis-.
! tress Martha" gasped the spokesman
Your healths and lOng-long-er, you
known
with bullying eyes the four drank
the toast, while Austin and Dorothy
laughed until they cried. At last they
returned to the dining room. where a
curious sight met their gaze.
Standing in the middle of the round
mahogany table, the spokesman of the
party was GdAllAB lOl DlOo lOl 10 bAt-
chase. LAS pretty a-bit-of colonial
furniture-as ever your eyes lighted
on-gentlemen Who will start the
bidding on this table. the property of
the immortal George-you, Freddy
What am offered for this table,"
Zone dollar" said Freddy feebly.
pooh! Who will give me more to
cover this insult? Cecil, you bloated
bondholder, beat it up"
Cecil solemnly entered his bid Of
hundred dollars. and as II they had
been waiting for this amount the four
proceeded to raise the value Of the ma
hogany table by hundreds until 1t was
knocked down to the languid Freddy
for $1,000. From a plethOric roll he
peeled of the amount and tossed it to
the table. and then, forgetting the in
cident, he led a solemn procession from
the house and into the waiting auto
mobile
Dorothy and her husband stared at
each other across the mahogany table
"Oh. Austin-what does it meanf
Were they drunk?" she asked.
AS lords said Austin feelingly.
Tomorrow morning they will awake
without the slightest recollection OF
what they hava done tonight. I've got
my work cut out for me to try TO
trace up that Freddy chap and give
him back his money or the table. If I
can't find him, why-I reckon we
needn't start that chicken business till
April. eh, DorothyT'
Don't call me Dorothy" said that
young woman airily as she spread
wide her brocaded skirts. For the
rest Of this curious night am Mis-
tress Martha Washington, and you are
George himself-but. oh, Austin. l do
hope You won't find that highest
bidder"
I'm not likely to-" said Austin, try
ing TO look unhappy. and Il Il on rec !
ord that they didn't start the chicken
business until April was well on her |
way.