The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-10-03
EUROPEAN TRIP A
RELIEF FROM CARE

thing happened to prevent their get
ting away. First the children were Ill
and then Mrs. Brown invited guests
for short time, who stayed several
months, preventing the Browns, by
the dwindling of the bank account,
from going abroad that year. Thus
things went on.
Finally Brown declared as an abso-
Lutte certainty that Europe would see
them the following year. All their
friends were notified and everything
was done to make II impossible for
their trip to be prevented.
When all was ready, however,
Brown was ordered by his firm to Sc
cure a particularly desirable contract
at any cost 1t meant a lot to the
firm and to Brown, but 1t also meant
months OF untiring effort-effort that
could not be put forth In Europe.
Brown, however, had made his VOW
and he refused to let his business In
terfere with his family's plans. The
family could go to Europe even II he
couldn't. They had relatives abroad,
and, besides, he could send them with
a party. So he packed them on the
train and looked as cheerful as pos
sible when it pulled out.
When he returned home, however,
he began to realize how lonesome 1t
was there. It got on his nerves finally
and he resolved to board during his
bachelorhood. So he moved to ho-
tel.
Then the thought came to him to
rent his house for the months that 1t
would be vacant unless he rented It.
There WAS no earthly use In letting
1t stand and gather dust, which was
the same as throwing away goodly
sum of money each month. Some one
would be only too glad of the oppor-
tunity to live In well furnished
house in fashionable suburb. with all
the benefits OF the Browns home COM
forts. Some one, no doubt, was search
ing eagerly for such an opportunity.
So Brown FASTENED to advertise the
treat in store for some one.
The number Of replies he received
was highly gratifying to him. After
picking out the letter written on the
best appearing stationery he clinched
the bargain over the telephone. OF
eourse, the tenants refused to pay
nearly what be thought his house was
worth, but on reflection he concluded
that they were really caretakers for
him who would look after his property
generally. He even began to feel un
der obligations to them for their will
ingness to take his house and he
urged them to make themselves per
fectly at home. assuring them that
everything In the house was theirs
to use as they desired.
When he hung up the receiver he
heaved a sigh of relief and content
He needn't even think Of the house
again until his family were about tc
return. 1t was really great idea OF
his to have some one take care of the
property for him; now he could devote
his entire time to the task OF getting
that important contract.
1t was about week later that over
the telephone he listened to a very In
dignant feminine voice commanding
his immediate presence at his home
Fearing no less calamity than a fire
Brown fastened to catch the first
train to the familiar suburb.
What's the matter?" he asked OF
the woman who opened the door aftei
he had established his identity.
Why" she replied, without inviting
him In, Il wanted to ask you where
| can find the potato knife and the
carving set. And when you rented us
this place you gave us to understand
that 1t was completely furnished!
Well, ever since we moved In we've
been unable to find things We ought to
have! There are no oyster forks nor
individual butter knives! And the Ia.
BILE linen Is a disgrace-we could
never invite guests to dine with ua
with such linen!
And the water froze the first night
we were here, so we had to have a
plumber, and that was 81. He says
your drains are In terribly insani,
tary condition. and IL we get typhoid
we shall certainly charge our doctor
bills to you! You've no business ad.
vertising a perfect home-its getting
money under false pretenses!
We've had to buy lots of little
things. Your brooms are dreadful,
and some of your kitchen utensils
were absolutely worn out. Well just
take the cost out OF the rent-for. of
course. the things will belong to the
house"
Brown had ceased to listen. He was
contemplating the gown worn by his
tenant-a dainty house dress of Mrs.
Browns. His wife had left much of
her wardrobe at home, he knew. In
the doorway, to receive the first foot
prints Of the incomers, was the
Browns most valuable rug, treasured
as very gold! He wondered what
might lie beyond his vision!
He suffered helplessly, trying to
express his dissatisfaction, but the
glare of righteous indignation In his
tenants eyes rendered him inarticu
late.
"All the rent for the first month Is
already paid out" said the woman
when the plumbers bill comes In
shall we send 1t to you, or shall we
pay 1t out Of next months rent?"
"There-tbcre won't be another
MONTH" exploded Brown, turning on
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