The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-06-27
Fresh Air

s0e'ASh oPaSS hoNAh6 NUM- As'h ca Ohhat
One evening while Bamberger was
taking of his overcoat in the hall, he
called out to whom ~ right cencern;
Il sincerely hope, for the sake of the
rest of you, that the air of this house
Ia not 30 yitiated as 1t seems to me-"
Hello, daddy! What's that?" II
was his high school daughter, answer
Ing from the living room.
II was saying that you need fresh
air in here" He appeared In the
doorway and viewed his three chill.
dren. snuggled together under the
lamp, reading in stuffy content. Ills
sister was not there.
Kenneth get up and open the win.
dow. and do 1t quick" the man of the
is vile. You could cut 1t with
Knife"
"Vilei" The echo sounded from the
dining-room. Then the curtains part
ed and his sister faced him. "Vile!"
she repeated, emphatically.
well, Mamie. you there?" His tone
became conciliatory. II mean, you
know-coming in from the fresh air
outside"
There certainly can be nothing in
the air of this house as offensive as
your word-vile!"
"Oh, WE'LL l didn't mean 1t as strong
as 1t sounds. But, really, now, have
you had any of the windows open to-
day."
ANY windows open! Before you
came down to breakfast this morning
l opened the dining-room window, all
three In here, the parlor window, and
the front doorl After you'd gone to
the office they were all open again,
for cleaning and busting. One win.
top all the time from morning till
night. The bedroom windows were
wide open half the forenoon. The
window on the stairway has been up
all day. l just closed things a little
while ago to have it comfortable when
You came"
Bamberger suppressed retort that
rose to his lips. "Oh, all right" he
said jovially. I'm glad it's better
than 1t seemed. It struck me as pref.
~ hot as we'll as close" Then he
looked at the thermometer and smiled
Remembering the children, his sis. F
ter swallowed several remarks which
she felt would have been good for
him, before she said calmly: Really, I
George. it's out of place to ask an
Intelligent woman whether any win.
dows have been up during the day"
She turned back into the dining-room,
where she was giving last touches to
the table. "Cut 1t with a knifel" they
heard her say Indignantly. THE
ideal"
The children looked on in open-eyed
delight There was nothing new In
daddys criticising the air of the
house, but to have anybody dare tic
talk back-that was the spice of hav.
ing Aunt Nan around.
At about five o'clock next day things
began to get spicier than ever Aunt
Nan. with spirited motions, went from
room to room, flinging up every win.
dow In sight.
''Whew! It's cold" Kenneth grum.
bled, but word from Aunt Nan turned
his scowl to grin. Down to the base.
ment he hurried and turned off the
hot air from every register In the
house except Aunt Mans Then into
that warm and coy spot. by Aunt
Mans invitation. he and his brother
and sister merrily trooped
ITS just little April fool joke on
daddy" Aunt Nan explained. IF We
could get him to complain of too much
fresh air for once. you see, 1t would
be a great success"
81 say, Aunt Nan" somebody pro
posed, wouldn't 1t be better II We
were sitting down there enjoying II
when he comes? We could put on our
coats and things"
yes. and spoil the whole effect!
the high school daughter objected
The right way would lie to put Oh
as If We were just dressed for the
house."
A little later four pufFy-looking per
sons. bubbling over with gggles, met
In the liying-room. Aunt Nan, looking
plump and matronly, pro
posed that they all pretend to be read
ing. At the last minute Kenneth, with
a brilliant inspiration, presented each
one In the group with table knife
AS soon as daddy should comment on
the cold every one, instead of answer I
Ing, was to lift this knife and begin
to cut the air.
In the dining-room a disapprovine
maid sneezed and Gneezed again, won
dering II everybody was crazy.
"'Shl Here he comes" whispered
Aunt Nan for the seventh time, but {
the step outside passed by once more
and died away. {
The high school daughter began to {
cough. my feet are like ice." she {
confessed. I
ut can't be long now" Kenneth en- {
her. and as he spoke every {
one jumped. |
Just the telephone bell on the desk!
Aunt Nan, being nearest, took down
he receiver.
well, what's the trouble, Nan2' ,
said Bamberger's voice. a shade i'm ,
I've been trying for an Z
hour to get the house. | won't be ,
home to dinner The New York man +
ayers In town, and I'm tied up with ,
him for the evening Good-by."- .