The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-07-09
The Couple
Opposite
BY F. A. MICHEL

| wedding trip at 10 O'Clock at night
and, taking up their hand baggage,
left the train, called a carriage and
were driven to the home that had been
ents. They had been away long
enough for the entire preparation of
the house during their absence, and
they had never seen 1t. But they had
formed that the number was "a and
the street Washington avenue.
After turning into the thoroughfare
at point where he saw number
| 1S-the driver counted the houses he
passed-for no more numbers were
visible--til be came to what he
thought might be "a and stopped The
bride and groom alighted, paid the
fare and the carriage departed. Then
Mr.. 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.
1t had been expected that the young
| couple would return when they liked,
go into the house alone and manage
every detail to suit themselves. There
fore there was no light in the hail. and
as the number was placed on glass
| over the vestihule door a light was
required to see it. The consequence
was that the couple were trying to get
| into house without being sure it 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.
| II never knew one of these fancy
| little keys to work." he said "At any
rate, this one doesn't. There's usually
a window sash loose somewhere.
Well try that way"
After experimenting awhile he found
that one of the windows of the kitchen
had been left unfastened. and all he
had to do was to raise 1t and walk In.
Then, opening the door from the in
side, he admitted his wife. They were
very tired. and after glance at the
parlor and dining room. the furnishing
Vi w nltu lDes Cis thty "ChN w
stairs. There was bedroom on each
side of the upper hall, the door of one
standing open. IL 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 establishment. 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. sirr' said the man.
well, slr! repeated Mr.. butcher.
What are you doing in my house,
sir?"
"Your house? What are you doing
In my house?"
At this point the face OF a lady APP
peared In the doorway behind the man
opposite. and. Mrs. butcher 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 inexplicabe occurrence.
Then each lady, realizing that she was
gazed upon by strange man. gave
little shrek and retreated from the
foreground.
81 demand an explanation" said the
man opposite. "of this unwarranted &C.
cupation OF q 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 for me
and my wife on our return from our
wedding trip"
"Then you are marriedP'
married! OF course / am-we are
married Do you mean to add insult
to perjury? see My house having
been unoccupied. you have taken 1t
upon yourself to use it for a nefarious
purpose"
IL have a mind, sir, to throw you out
the window"
You u Detter Try IL.
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. horrorsr cried Mrs. butcher.
"Thirty-sixr exclaimed her husband
"Thirty-six Washington avenue"
"My dear, SIR" said Mr.. butcher,
much agitated, 81 fear we have made q
mistake"
If it's only mistake I shall ex
cuse you, sir"
LAST night my wife and ! came to
town from our wedding trip. and. sup
posing this house to be our new home
and our key not WORKING
"Of course your key didn't work /
How the dickens could you expect it to
work on my front door?"
81 tell you l expected It to work on
my own front door. We will dress as /.
soon as possible and get out immedi-
ttely."
The couple opposite retreated and
closed their door. Mr.. and Mrs. butcher
dressed, went downstairs and met the
owners OF the house. The face of each
wore a smile. Mfr. and Mrs. butchers
facoS did NOT wear n smile but they