The Huttig news., 1912-12-07
Starting
I he Fire

They brought the coal this after
noon, Harry" Mrs. Newsom an
nounced as her husband sat down at
the dinner table and size placed the
steak before him
Good" calculated Newsom. I'll
build furnace fire tonight. Kitty
We're Starting it earlier this year
than we did last
Later" Mrs. Newsom said. as she
seated herself opposite him. Last
year we built our first furnace fire on
Oct. 49, | remember the date per
feetly; 1t was the day | entertained
the card club and Mrs Warren
couldn't come. Her sister was Ill and
Mrs. Warren remained at home to
take care of the children much to my
relief; she is very fussy woman and
you know how a furnace fire makes
such an odor Wien it's started?'
Newsom nodded his head as he cut
into the steak. Il don't remember all
that, of course, bt | do remember
that we started the furnace later,
about the 2Sth. think"
How ridiculous of you to insist
uron that, Harry. when I've just told
you when we did start it, Mrs New
som rejoined. her cheeks flushing. 81
ay we started the furnace on Oct
49,"
I've net the slightest objection to
Nour saying that, my dear. because
YOU evidently believe it, provided YOU
rant me thep rivilege of saying that
We started the fire on Oct. 2S.'
You're exasperating Harry" Mrs
Newsom exclaimed. rising to her feet
I'll get my diary and settle the mat
Ter once for all" She rushed out OF
The room
Newsom called after her: "I'n get
he coal bill; that will settle it."
At the end of several minutes Mrs
Newsom appeared in the library
where her husband was searching
through a letter file.
Harry, you've hidden my diary so
can't convince you of your mistake"
she accused him What have you
lone with it,"
Il haven't seen your diary What
have you done with the coal bills?"
They're somewhere in the file. You
nan look for them while I'm eating my
Inner; don't propose to dine on
cold steak and potatoes after I had
the trouble of making them hot, sim
ply because you're obstinate
Mrs. Newsom swept out of the
roem, only to return the next instant.
declaring with visible elation: Nov
m certain we did start the fire on
he 18th because the day after that
he man put up the storm windows
and he swept the coal dust off the
walk"
Wonderful memory You have"
Newsom declared. shutting the file in
'isgust How do YOU happen to re
member that Oct 10 was the day the
nan put up the storm windows and
swept off the coal dust?"
Because that was the day after
We started the furnace fire on the
Sth,' Mrs Newsom answered tri.
'mphantly Now. are you convinced?
Md. speaking of memories. you de-
troyed last years recipted coal bills
when we cleaned house so it's hardly
worth your while looking further for
them
I'm not convinced" Newsom
shouted springing to his feet. He
lropned TIE file in his furry and scat.
erred the contents. which did not add
% his amiabilty But there must be
zome way of convincing you Yes
@ome to think of it, | made a note on
he direction card that hangs beside
he furnace. Now I'll show you"
You never mentioned before that
you made a note on the card when
we started the furnace Mrs New
some said suspieiously
In the dining room thye eneoun.
: cred Mrs Newsom's young sister
vfo exclaimed: Whats the matter9
Why aren't you eating your dinner9
ran over to borrow the evening pa
9er for mother; dad forgot to bring
me"
"Rhoda." Mrs Newsom cried des
3erately. do YOU remember what dav
we started our furnace last year2
Wasn't 1t the day entertained the
ard club and you helped me serve?"
No indeed" said her sister "The
women nearly froze that day sitting
round in their thin dresses" was the
unexpected answer 1T was the next
day | remember perfectly because
YOU had to keep an appointment at
the tailor's and you We're afraid to
'eave a fresh fire unmatched
'T-I-well-" Mrs Newsom stopped
and a reminiscent look crept into her
ives But that was the day the man
put on the storm windows and can't
recall that ! went to the tailor's
Still-wait minute I'll telephone
mother She always remembers ev
erything
Mrs Newscm rushed to the tele.
ohone and Newsom made his escape