Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-02-22
must do something interesting or shall
be horribly homesick tonight"

out for farmer, Dorothy, although do
love to be with you all day long here in
the country. There is something about
the life and hustle of the city that calls
me. | wish we might keep this for a
country home and live as we always have
done, in town during the winter"
"Some day we will, encouraged Dor
othy, with her sweet smile. 'Let us go
downstairs.
All at once the great knocker on the
front door was lifted three times and a
resounding racket echoed through the
sparsely furnished house.
"Who can that be ?" gasped Dorothy,
as she drew near her husband.
"Some neighbor," he assured her as
he led the way down TO lower floor.
While Dorothy lighted the bayberry can
dies and SET the table for supper Austin
went to the door and flung il open.
There at the curb throbbed and pull
stated monster touring car. In it were
three shsdowy forms, while afourth stood
on the doorstep. %.
"Ho-the inn p called the man on the
doorstep Justify. "Let us in, good peo-
pie, and show US what you can do by
way of entertainment"
"This is not an inn," said Austin brus-
Quely. "You will find very good one
at the end OF this street."
NAY, It's not so" corrected the other.
"Many'S the time have safe here in the
bar OF the Blue Boar and slipped my glass
O. toddy. Come in, boys; landlord says
all are welcome and that he will broil
chicken 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 a bite to
eat, ,ut there won't be anything TO drink
unless can find some appleidck.
The four entered with noisy hllarity,
and it was plain to be seen that they were
all in state OF Semi-intoxlcatlon. They
were we'll dressed men, and their faces
were not unpleaSlng, though more than
one of them showed signs OF dissipation.
With the impression that the sooner ne
served these unwelcome guests the ear
ller he would be rid of their doubtful
companionship, Austin oeckoned Doro-
thy into the kitchen and together they
concocted a tray full OF refreshments that
were mostly got from the provision box.
A large piece OF cheese, large Loaf oil
Vienna bread, butter, cold boiled ham
and pitcher OF arpleiack completed
repast that brought lorth cheer from the
group gathered before the dining room
fire.
Suddenly they looked at Austin in his
festa garments OF drab velvet and cherry
satin, with gray silk hose and ouckled
shoes, and at Dorothy peeping around
the door gorgeous in blue brocade. With
one accord they arose and touched their
glasses.
"lts George Washington and Mistress
Martha" gasped the spokesman. "four
heaths and long-long-er you know !
With bulging eyes the tour 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 d the round
mahogany table, the spokesman OF the
party was calling for bids for its purchase.
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 Tor
this table ?"
Zone dollar" said Freddy feebly.
"Poohl Who will give me more to
cover this insult ? Cecil, you bloateo
bondholder, beat il up y
Cecil solemny entered his bid ola hum
dred dollars, and as if they had been
waiting for this amount, the TOUR pro-
ceeded to raise the value of the mahogany
table by hundreds until it was knocked
down to the languid Freddy for Sl,OOO.
From a plethoric roll he peeled OH the
amount and tossed it to the table. and
then, forgetting the incident, he led a
solemn procession from the house and
into the waiting automobile.
Dorothy and ner husband stared at each
other across the mahogany table. "Oh,
Austin-what does it mean? Were they
drunk ?" she asked. "AS lords, SAID
Austin feelingly. Tomorrow morning
they will awake without the slightest rec
objection of what they have 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. II can't
find him, why reckon we needn't start
that chicken business till April, eh, Dor
othy ?"
Don't call me Dorothy" said thai
Young woman airily as she spread wide
her brocaded skirts. "For the rest oi
this curious night am Mistress Martha
| Washington, and you are George HIM
self-but, oh. Austin, | do hope you won
find that highest bidder"
"Pm not likely to, said Austin, trying
to look unhappy, and ii is on record tha
they didn't start the chicken business un'
Til April was well on her way.
Counsel-Tell me, wss not the defend
ant in the habit OF talking to himself wher
alone?
Witness-2Pn sure don't know.