The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-12-02
EUROPEAN TRIP A
RELIEF FROM CARE

For years the Browns had planned
q European trip, but every year some
thing happened to prevent their get
ting away. First the children were Ill
and then Mrs. Brown invited guests
for a 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-
iute certainty that Europe would see
them the following year. AL their
friends were notified and everything
was done to make It impossible for
their trip to be prevented.
When all was ready, however,
Brown was ordered by his firm to 30
cure a particularly desirable contract
at any cost. 1t meant lot to the
firm and to Brown, but 1t also meant
months of untiring effort-efort 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 plana 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 hfs
bachelorhood. So he moved to ho-
tel.
Then the thought came to him to
rent his house for the months that II
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 a goodfy
sum of money each month Some one
would be only too glad Of tho oppor
tunity to live in well furnished
house in q 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 hastened to advertise the
treat in store for some onA
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
course. the tenants refused to pay
nearly what he 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 hts 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 to
return. It was really q 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.
II was about a week later that ove1
the telephone he listened to a very In
dignant feminine voice commanding
his immediate presence at his home
Fearing no less calamity than fire
Brown hastened to catch the frs
train to the familiar suburb.
whats the matter?" he asked o.
the woman who opened the door aftel
he had established his identity.
"Why," she replied. without invitin,
him in, II wanted to ask you wher'
| can find the potato knife and th'
carving set. And when you rented vi
this place you gave us to understand
that it was completely furnished
Well, ever since we moved in view
been unable to find things We ought Il
have! There are no oyster forks no
individual butter knives! And the ia
BILE linen Is q disgrace-we coul'
never invite guests to dine with u
with such linen!
"And the water froze the first nigh
we were here, so we had to have
plumber, and that was 81. He say
your drains are in a terribly insan
tary condition, and II we get typhoid
we shall certainly charge our docto
J bills to you! You've no business &C
! vertising a perfect home-it's gettin
! money under false pretenses!
We've had to buy lots OF nttl
9 things. Your brooms are dreadful
. and some of your kitchen utensil
were absolutely worn out Well jus
Z take the cost out Of the rent-for, {
? course, the things will belong to tn
u house."
D Brown had ceased to listen. He wa
contemplating the gown worn by ri
tenant-a dainty house dress OF Mr.
Browns. His wife had left much
6 her wardrobe at home, he knew.
9 the doorway. to receive the first foo
q prints of the incomers, was th
y Browns most valuable rug. treasure
n as very gold! He wondered whi
II might lie beyond his vision!