The Washington herald., 1914-10-18

When Maj. Crofoot reached his board
ing house the other evening there were
surface indications OF trouble. There
was a policeman hanging about the front
steps; the majors trunk was down in
the front hall; several boarders were
lounging about with eNpectant looks.
and the lsndlady had evidently made
, up her mind 10 do or die. II took the
major just thirty seconds TO realize the
situation The landlady was about to
address him when he held up his hand
10 interrupt her and blandly observed:
MY dear Mrs. Roberts, have favor
to ask"
1T won't do no good to talk TO me"'
she replied.
me a statement OF my Indebtedness?
believe owe you for five weeks board.
II not too much trouble"
You owe me for twelve weeks, and
IF not too much trouble" continued
the major with dignity, II should like
a statement. 1t may be twelve weeks.
as you say: / pay but little attention TO-
out for twelve weeks, and then ] will
draw you a check for the amount,
have been very busy. as you know. and
Il ! have caused you any inconyenienee
"You-you will pay" gasped the land
lady. as she stood~and stared at him.
Should you want three months in
advance you can have IL as well. So
well make it for 500 or 500 as s75 or
800 II might be well. while ] am eating
my dinner. for you to return my trupk
hint to move on. Come to my room half
an hour hence"
The major not only ate a square meal.
but ate IL with the usual dignity, aud
he was far from betraying the fact that
his feelings had been injured by the
landlady's want Of confidence in his
financial integrity. Soon after ne had
Rs.F Faka II 111 - a. Fk,
landlady followed him The look OF de-
termination on bis face had been re-
placed by one Of anxiety and solicita-
ton
Now you see, you owe for twelve
weeks, she explained as she handed him
the bill.
."Exactly-L see" he replied: as he re
Is S4 Sorry II you have been incon-
venienced.. Don't you want S20O?''
'Oh major. I'm sorry II 1 hurt your
feeIings!" she protested.
been lacerated to an extent, but I am 10
blame for il. / will write you a check
for SS4. Should you want loan during
the month-S2oo-s5OC-s1,ooO-please let
me know. There you are, my dear
woman-there you are. II is your due,
and I am glad to hand it TO you, but
must confess that your want Of con-
fdenCe in my financial integrity is some
thing Of a shock to me One should pay
for his room and board. Of course. but
where one is originating. evolving,
prompting and organizing to the extent
OF millions
II know. major-I know interrupted
the landlady. but I'm no business wo-
man. couldn't tell about your
schemes. You took me in on two of
them, and, was to make millions. but
/ haven't seen even a dollar yet
But you didn't secure any stock. You
delayed until frozen out. I let you in
on the ground floor. but you didn't come
to time"
was that it," she asked. as she nerv-
ously PLAYED with the check. Il asked
some of the boarders about il. and they
said your schemes were all wind
The major gazed at her in a plying
way for a couple Of minutes. and then got
UP and walked to and fro for time
before he said:
My dear woman. you have common
sense. II you didn't have. you couldn't
common sense. Now let your commonl
sense guide you in all things. On two
occasions, owing to your confidence in
my financial integrity, I have set out
to make you a millionaire. Your timidity
has been the stumbling block. Let me
present you with a few facts. You have
heard OF Egypt. Of course?
II think I have" she faltersd.
'One Of the oldest countries on earth
In connection with Egypt you must have
heard Of mummies?''
We'll. Egyptian kings and queens.
princes and great men and women were
dying ten thousand years ago. Their
bodies were preserved in spices. Today
they are simply relics-souvenirs-curi-
mummies Same with all sideshows and
private collectors. II mummies were
easier to he got and cheaper in price.
almost every family would have one in