Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-11-30
EUROPEAN TRIP A
RELIEF FROM CARE

and then Mrs brown invited guests
for a short time, who stayed several
months, preventing the Browns, by
the dwindllng 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 it impossible for
their trip to be prevented.
When all was ready, however,
Brown was ordered by his firm to Sc
cure particularly desirable contract
at any cost. 1t meant lot to the
firm and to Brown, but it 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 If he
couldn't. They had relatives abroad,
and, besides, he could send them with
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 it
was there. 1t got on his nerves finally
and he resolved to board during his
bachelorhood. So he moved to a ho-
tel.
Then the thought came to him to
rent his house for the months that it
would be vacant unless he rented 1t.
There was no earthly use in letting
it stand and gather dust, which was
the same as throwing away a goodly
sum of money each month. Some one
would be only too glad of the oppor-
tunity to live in a 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
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 I'M
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 to
return. 1t was really a 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.
It was about week later that over
the telephone he listened to 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.
whats the matter?" he asked of
the woman who opened the door after
he had established his identity.
why" she replied, without inviting
him in, Il wanted to ask you where
l can find the potato knife ard the
carving set And when you rented US
this place you gave us to understand
that it was completely furnished!
been unable to find things we ought to
have! There are no oyster forks nor
individual butter knives! And the ta-
BILE linen is a disgrace-we could
never invite guests to dine with US
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 If We get typhoid
we shall certainly charge our doctor
bills to you! You've no business adj
vertising a perfect home-it's 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
tia 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 it to you, or shall we
pay it out of next months rent?"
"There-there won't be another
MONTH" exploded Brown, turning on
his heel to prevent himself from ma
king further unseemly remarks. But