The daily Alaskan., 1912-09-04
The Couple
 Opposite
By F. A MITcHEl


 wedding trip at 10 o'clock at night and. taking up their hand baggage. left the train. called carriage and were dfiven to the home that had been prepared for them by the brides par ents. They had been away long enough for the entire preparation of the house during their absence. and they had never seen IL But they had been sent the Rev by express and in. formed that the number was sl and the street wushingtUn avenue.
 After turning iute the thoroughfare at point where up saw . number-- Is-the driver counted the houses he sasScd-for nn murp numbers were visible-tlll he came to what he thought might be 5I and stopped The bride and gyysom alighic4i. paid the fare and the carriage departed. Then Mr. Duteher took out the night key and mounting the steps of ,hr house before him. attempted Go eTert m enirance-
 The key didn't work
 It had been expectei 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 DO light in the hall. and as the number was placed on glass over the vestibule door light was required to see it The consequence was that the couple were trying to get into a house without being sure it was theirs Mir. Dutcher went out on to the stoop and looked about hlm. but since all the houses In the vicinity were alike he didn't learn much
 'l 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 or the windows of the kitchen had been eft uufastened. and ai 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 of which they admired, they went up stairs There was a bedroom on each side of the upper hall, the door of one standing open. It looked inviting. and. entering. they threw off their gar ments, put on their nightrobes and went to bed
 When they awoke In the morning NIT. Butcher thought he would get up and use the bathroom tirst. Opening the bedroom door. he stood stock still in astouishment. The door of the op. posite room stood open, and In 1t stood a man also arrayed in, nightclOthes looking at Mir Dutcher with as much amazement as Mir Butcher looked at him.
 Well. sirr' said the man.
 ''wen, sirl' repeated Mr. Butcher.
 What are you doing in my house. siry" .t.
 "Your nouseP 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 1T faced by some inexplicable occurrence Then each Iady. realizing that she was eazed upon by a strange man. gave little shriek and retreated from the foreground.
 "I demand an explanation" said the man opposite, "of this unwarranted oc' equation of room in my house witb- out my invitation or consent
 And demand to Enow who you are, sir and why you have come Into house that has been prepared Tor me and my. wife on cur return from our wedding trip"
 Then you are msrriedT
 Married! Of course [ am-we are married Do you mean to add insult 10 perjuryI see. My house having been unoccuptcd. you have taken 1t upou yourself 10 use t for uefarious purpose"
 "I have a mind. sir. to throw you out the window"
 You'd better try ft
 The two men Claied at each other. Mrs. Dutcher. who meanwhile nso gathered her wits. sang out:
 "what number is this houseT
 "Thlrty-six." replied feminine voice opposite aA
 'oh. horrors! scried Mrs. Butcher.
 ''ThIrty-sixr' exclaimed her husband
 "Thlrty-slx Washington avenue.
 "My dear. sir" snid MT. Butcher. much agitated. "I fear we have made mistake"
 If it's only a mistake ! shall ex' cuse you. sir"
 -I.aSt night my wife and l came to town from our wedding trip. and, sup posing this house to be our new home and our key not working .
 sof course your key didn't work. How the dickens could you expect if to work on my front door7'
 q tell you lexpested It to work on my own front door. We will dress as soon as possible and get out tmmedt ateiy."
 The couple opposite retreated and -, Al .a.nr Nt,. ond Nrs Dutrhpr