Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-27

IHJuSNICC'
The conductor snapped back: You
say word to me and III do you worse
than that. And II spot you with q
pack of cards In your hand again, I'll
tie you to the cow-ketcher."
Then lie marched off again. The
doctor fell back into a chair, trying to
figure II out Then Ashton and Eos
dick and little Jimmie Wellington and
Wedgewood strolled III and, dropping
into chairs, ordered drinks. Before
the doctor could ask anybody to ex-
plain, Ashton was launched on story.
His mind was suitcase full OF anec'
dotes. mostly Of the smoking.room
order.
Wherever three or four men are
gathered together. they rapidly organ
ize d clearinghouse Of off-color stories.
The doctor listened in spite Of him.
self, and in spite Of himself he was
amused, for stories that would be
stupid il they were decent, take on 4
certain 'crye and thrill from their
very forbiddenness.
The dear old clergyman felt that it
would be priggish to take flight. but
IL. could NOT make the corners Of his
mouth behave. Strange twitchings OF
the lips and little steamy ESCAPES OF
ei.gle.j Jets disturbed him. And when
Ashton. who was practlced racon-
teur. finished drOlatc adventure
with the epiogue, And the next
morning they we're at Niagara Falls
the old doctor was helpless with laugh
ter Sumo superior force, the devil
ID doubt. fairly shook him with glee.
"Oh. that's bully" he shrieked, Il
haven't heard & story like that for
ages"
why, where have you been. DR..
Temple?" asked Ashton. who could
not imagine where man could have
concealed himself from such stories.
But he laughed loudest Of all when
the doctor answered: "You see, live
in Ypsilanti They don't tell me
stories like that"
"They-who?" said Fosdick.
why, my pa-my patients" the
doctor explained, and laughed so hard
that lie forgot to feel guilty, laughed
50 hard that his wife in the next room
heard him and giggled to Mrs. Whit.
comb:
Listen to dear Walter. He hasn't
laughed like that since he vas IA
medical student" Then she buried
her face guiltily in book.
Wasn't it good?" DR.. Temple de-
manded, wiping his streaming eyes
and nudging the solemn-faced English
man, who understood his own nations
humor, but had not yet learned the
Yankee Guirks.
Wedgewood made hollow effort at
laughter and answered Extremely
very droll; 7but what ] don't quite
get was-why the porter said" The
others drowned him in roar OF laugh
ter, but Ashton was angry. why, YOU
blamed fool, that's where the joke
came in. Don't you see, the bride
groom said to the bride" then he
lowered his voice and diagramed the
story on his fingers.
Mrs. Temple was still shaking Witf
sympathetic laughter, never dreaming
what her husband was laughing at
She turned to Mrs. Whitcomb, bu
Mrs. Whitcomb was still glazing al
Mrs. Wellington, who was still writ
Ing with flying fingers and underscor
ing every other word.
Some people seem to think they
own the train" Mrs. Whitcomb ragged
That creature has been at the writ
lug desk an hour. The worst or ills
I'm sure she's writing 10 my nus
band"
Mrs. Temple looked shocked, but an
other peal OF laughter came through
the partition between the male and Re
male sections of the car, and sne
beamed again. Then Mrs. Wellington
finished her letter. glanced 1t over, ad
dressed an envelope. sealed ane
stamped it with a deliberation ina
msddened Mrs. Whitcomb. when a
last she rose, Mrs. Whitcomb was II
the seat almost before Mrs. yelling
tor was out of it.
Mrs. Wellington paused at another
waYs OF laughter from the mems