The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-27
Something Had to
Happen

IL the WlndlerS nat naO Detn cOHl'
mensurate in size with the Windlers'
popularity as evidenced by their we'd
ding presents it would have been so
big they never could have Afforded to
pay the rent.
1t was an ideal fiat for family that
was short on furniture aid brlc-a-
brac, but 1t was trial to people on
whom their we'll meaning friends ard
relatives had showered ten times as
much stuff as they could use up in the
course of a normal lifetime. After
nearly acquiring brain fever trying 10
dispose their possessions about the
place without having their home look
as though it was about to choke to
death on a superiority OF furniture and
mis- ccllaneons wares they gave up and
put tlree.adarters OF their wedding
gifts in the basement storeroom. Then
their troubles began.
"Mercy." Mrs. Windler cried one
evening just before her aunt and uncle
were due for dinner Jimmy, we'll
have TO get that carved oak hall chest
up here before Aunt COrnelia arrives
or she'll never forgive us. 1t cost a
small fortune and she won't under.
stand why"
The rest of Mrs. Windler's remarks
were irrevocably lost in the tumultu.
Gus rush of the Wlndlers to the base
mcnt
Mrs Windler's pale rose gown was
soon hopelessly soiled and Windler's
temper was ruincI for the whole even.
ing. to say nothing of his cuffs. The
hall chest was barely thumped into
place with the help of the subsidized
janitor and the Windlers were still
breathing hard when Aunt Cornelia
and Uncle Jabes arrived. The former
peered sharply at her gift.
Seems to rle you don't do much
busting of your things" she said, rub
ring finger across the chest and leav.
ing deep depression In the Crime
that had settled on 1t In the store.
room. Seems to me you don't care
much about my gift. Louise!" When
Aunt Cornelia rebuked one in that
tone the situation was serious.
After the visitors had departed the
chest had to be lugged down to the
basement again, because there was no
other place for the bookcase.
The two large paintings we're the
worst. When Cousin Johns folks we're
coming the Windlers hung up the pic.
ture Of the Lombardy poplars and the
sheep. Then they took It down when
the Phillipsons were due and put In
Its place the picture presented by the
Phillipsons showing the garden scene.
This worked all right until Sue San.
ders, who could always be depended
upon to say the wrong thing, burst out
in the presence Of all the Phillipsons:
"Oh. you've changed your pictures!
Why, you have new one! What did
you do with the cute one Of the sheep
and poplars that has always hung
right here till now"
That threw a coldness upon the Phil.
lipsons that never was eradicated.
"They acted" stormed Mrs. Windler
helplessly after they were gone, as
though It was our fault that we didn't
have five walls In this room instead Of
four! ! hate their old picture. any.
howl"
The silver. however. created the
most trouble. because there was 90
much Of It.
However. they knew they were 10.
ing tho wrong teaspoons the night tho
Smiths dined with them BY the pecul.
iariy cold manner In which Mrs. Smith
regarded the ones at her plate.
They realized that they had made
the wrong selection In silver bread
plates when Uncle Hiram pointedly
inquired who had given them the plate
that they preferred to bis gift. He
said he had hoped when be devoted q
week to selecting It that no had picked |
out something they really would like. |
Altogether. the Windlers had q terri. |
Bile time smoothing down Uncle Hiram. |
They thought It odd that the more |
money q relative had the more easily |
and deeply his feelings were injured.
When any Of the girls gathered at
her house in the afternoon for cards
Mrs. Windler nearly lost her mind. II
she used Sadie's tea cloth instead of
Amy's when Amy was present the lat.
ter was SO hurt that 1t was painful.
and II Angeline didn't see her cut
glass vase anywhere about her eye
brows speedily announced the fact.
1T isn't home!" Mrs. Windler
walled one night. Its the inside Of
q kaleidoscope! I'm so nervous for
fear III get the wrong thing out when
the right person comes-or for fear
two Of emil land here together and
pull each others hair because ones
gift is on view and the others isn't
that I'm total wreck, JIMMY" /
Cheer up" said the haggard Jim.
my. who was hastily changing a
bronze head for Barge lion. the Get.
tiers being due that evening 1T
can't 60 on forever-something1l hap.
pen!"
It did. The building burned down
while the Windlers were at the the
alter and they returned to ashes, glow.