Ellsworth American., 1912-12-11
The Couple
Opposite
Bv F. A. Mitchell

the station on their return from tbeir
wedding trip at 10 O'Clock at night
anu taxing up their hand baggage.
'eit the train. called carriage and
were driven TO the home that had haen
prepared for them by the brides par
entsa They had been away long
enough Tor the entire preparation OF
the house during their absence. and
they had never seen it. But they had
oeen sent the key by express aud In.
formed that the number was 81 and
the street Washington avenue.
AFTER turning into the thoroue hfare
NJ point where be saw a number
ls-the driver counted the houses he
passed-for no more numbers were
visible-till he came to what he
thought might be "a and stopped. The
bride and groom alighted, paid the
rare aud the carriage departed. Then
MIR. butcher took out the night KEY and
mounting the steps OF the house before
him. attempted to effect an entrance.
The key didn't work.
IL had been expected that the young
couple would return when they liked,
go into the house alone aud manage
every detail to suit themselves There
fore there was no light in the hall, and
as the number was placed on glass
over the vestlbue door a light was
required to see It The consequence
was that the couple were trying to get
into house without being sure 1t was
theirs. Mr.. butcher went out on to
the stoop and looked about him, but
since all the houses In the vicinity
were alike he didn't learn much.
Il never knew one Of these fancy
little keys to work." he said AT any
rate. this one doesn't There's usually
window sash loose somewhere
Wen try that way"
After experimenting awhile he found
that one Of the windows of the kitchen
had been left unfastened. and all be
had to do was to raise it and walk in.
Then, opening the door from the in
side, he admitted his wife. They were
very tired. and after a glance at the
parlor and dining room. the furnishing
Of which they admired. they went up
stairs. There was bedroom on each
side of the upper ball. the door Of one
standing open. II looked inviting, and.
entering. they threw Off their gar
ments. put on their nightrobes and
went to bed.
When they awoke in the morning
Mr.. butcher thought he would get up
and use the bathroom first. Opening
the bedroom door. he stood stock still
In astonishment. The door of the op-
posite room stood open, and in 1t stood
a man also arrayed in nightclothes
looking at Mr.. butcher with as much
amazement as Mr. butcher looked at
him.
well. sirp' said the man.
well. sirr' repeated Mr.. butcher.
What are you doing in my house.
sir?"
Your house? What are you doing
in my houseT
At this point the face of lady ap-
peared In the doorway behind the man
opposite. and. Mrs Dutcher having got
out of bed to investigate the cause OF
this strange conversation. there were
two men and two women all In even
ing dress" looking at one another as II
faced by some inexplicable occurrence,
Then each lady. realizing that she was
gazed upon by a strange man. gave
little shrek and retreated from the
foreground.
II demand an explanation" SAID the
man opposite. "of this unwarranted oc-
cupation OF room in my house with
out my invitation or consent"
And | demand to know who you are,
sir. and why you have come into
house that has been prepared Tor me
and my wife on our return from our
wedding trip"
"Then you are marriedT
Married! OF course l am-we are
married. Do you mean to add insult
10 perjury? see. My house having
been unoccupied. you have taken 1t
upon yourself to use it for nefarious
purpose"
T have a mind. sir. to throw you out
the window"
You'd better try It."
The two men glared at each other
Mrs. butcher, who meanwhile had
gathered her wits. sang out:
what number is this houseT
.'Thirty-six." replied feminine voice
opposite.
"Oh. horrorsw cried Mrs. butcher.
"Thirty-sixr' exclaimed her husband
.Thirty-six Washington avenue
.sMy dear, SIR" said Mr.. Dutcher'
much agitated. II fear we have made
mistake"
IF it's only a mistake shall ex'
cuse you. sir"
LAST night my wife and l came to
town from our wedding trip, and, sup
posing this house . be our new nome
and our key not working
"of course your key didn't WORK
How the dickens could you expect IL TO
- s,ont 1nnr1"