The Washington times., 1914-11-17
Peters
in Mdtri,r1Onv
3y LEONA DALRYMPLE.

THE GAS MAN
~ EYOND, in the library, we could
K hear the guilty wretch whistl-
ing as cheerfully as if robbery
was not a part of his trade
And he was hammering blithelv at the
gas fixture to support his assertion that
he came from the gas company.
We three filed silently into the Ii
| brary-the two policemen looking grim
enough to frlghten any one.
The gas man dropped his tools and
stared. He was a youngish chap. ex.
ceedingly sood-looking and brazen
enough not to change color even with
the officers Of the law confronting
him.
Bless my soul" he exclaimed,
what's all this? Kelly, you darn fool.
put your gun in your pocket
Kelly instantly did so, his jaw drop
ping and his eyes twinking.
The other officer. however was un-
aware OF Kelly's attitude. He strode
up belligerently to the gas man and
waved his gun beneath the others nose
Show your badge" he said rough
ly "You've done enough O. these
stunts. me laddie buck. Amt you been
afther robhin' Mr.. Hunts flat once be
fore asa yin We were a gas man, and
getting away wild the lady's iewelry?''
The gas man looked thunderstruck.
opened his coat, and sure enough dis
played ?. badge.
'Anything wrong with that. officer"
he inquired.
''Tls me own cousin. Jim Carmody."
spoke up Kelly, staggering. 'as honest
lad as ever worked for a thievin
company that let's their meters run
wild and works UP a bad bill on an
honest policeman.
kelly" [ put in. do you mean to
say that he's really your cousin, ana
an employe of the gas company
can see his badge for Yourself The
lads as smart AS anv Kelly, il his
name is Carnlody'"
We all stood staring at each other,
and then. suddenly. VIC all burst out
laughing. | tried TO APOLOGIZE but the
gas man only laughed GOodhumoredly.
and suggested that better way might
have been to demand his badge at the
door instead Of bringing up two po-
licemcn to bother him AT his work.
At this point Mary. who had been
waiting fearfully in tn" hallway. oper-
ed the door and Deered in. her face in
tensely curious. Evidently our laugh
ter had bean so astonishing in the
circumstances that she could not wait
any longer. Tho instant sh" glanced
at the gas man she gasped and cOlored.
Peter" she said in a whisper. II
do believe I've made a terrible mistake
That isn't the man ut all. IL was al
most sure when h" had his cap on out
there ut the door. and his voice was eX
actiy the same. What in the worIu
shall we do now? Is he's he insult
cd?
NO." said /. che is mighty good
natured about it. All we can do is to
let tn" officers go and let him go on
with that leak. He'll likely save III
money if "" let him stay
The gas man agreed with chuckle
f'.'' rue, and. grumbling
some about the gas cor *. " ~
the way q, pIrr and out to the
waItiny au;U. Ard that night our local
paper had tn" whole story, and the
town laughed for many a day Mary
was furious. | was simply amused but
Mary hadn't sufficient sense OF humOr
to stand the strain.
"W"'r" tho laughing stock Of the
town. she said with tears IN her eyes.
'hld il isn't at AL dignified. I'm hor-
r'blv diS2u"t"d. Petcr.'
II m afraid. Mary | said mildly,
that You asserted q prcrogative Of
your Sex that time. and jumped illog-
ically 10 conclusion. Ir il hothers you
so you II UrubaDiy be a little more care
ful ncyt timC.'
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