The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
HIS MOTHERS SON |
A Bu,ines, Adoenture of Emma McChemey
s
Bv Edna EERBER
Auiho, Of "Dnoa Ola,s. % '.Baits,ed Side Doom. Q.

there'd be an exclamation point after
that question mark.
Sorry. Mrs. McChesney," said the
clerk. and he actually looked 1t, but
there's absolutely nothing stirring.
We're full UP. The Benevolent Broth
erhood Of Bisons is holding its regular
annual state convention here. We're
putting up cots in the hall"
Emma McChesneys keen blue eyes
glanced up from their inspection of
the little bunch OF mail which had just
been handed her. well, pick out a
hall with a southern exposure and
set up cot or SO for me- she said,
agreeably. because I've come to stay.
After selling Featherloom petticoats
on the road for ten years don't see
looking for place to lay my head.
I've learned this ones large, immova-
BILE truth. and that is, that a hotel
clerk is a hotel clerk. 1t makes no
difference whether he is stuck back
of marble pillar and hidden by a
gold vase full of thirty-six-inch Amer
lean beauty roses at the Knickerbock-
er. or setting the late fall fashions for
men in Galesburg, ILL.,"
By one small degree was the perfect
poise of the peerless parsonage behind
the register Jared. But by only one.
He was hotel night clerk.
ut won't do any good to get sore,
Mrs. McChesney," he began, suavely.
Now a man would"
But I'm not man." interrupted
Emma McChesney. I'm only doing
mans work and earning a mans
salary and demanding to be treated
with as much consideration as you'd
show q man."
The parsonage busted himself might
lily with pen, and blotter, and sun
dry papers, as is the manner of per-
sonages when annoyed. I'D like to
accommodate you; I'd like to do It,"
Cheer up" said Emma McChesney,
you're going to. l don't mind lit.
tie discomfort Though want to men
ton in passing that II there are any
lady Bisons present you needn't bank
on doubling me up with them. I've
had one experience of that kind. 1t
was In Abba, Iowa. I'd sleep In the
kitchen range before I'd go through
another"
Up went the erstwhile falling poise.
You're badly mistaken, madam. I'm
a member of this order myself, and a
finer lot of fellows it has never been
my pleasure to know"
Yes. I know" drawled Emma Nc
Chesney. do you know. the thing
that gets me is the inconsistency Of
It. Along come lot of boobs who
never use a hotel the year around ex-
,cept to loaf In the lobby. and wear
cut the leather chairs. and use up the
matches and toothpicks and get the
baseball returns, and Immediately you
turn away a travelling man who uses
a three-dollar-a-day room, with a sam
pie room downstairs for his stuff, who
tips every porter and bellboy in the
place, asks for no favors, and who, If
you give him halfway decent cup
of coffee for breakfast, will fab in
love with the place and boom 1t all
over the country. Half of your Be
nevolent Bisons are here on the Eu7
ropean plan, with view to patronizing
L
to take dinner at the home Of some To-
cal Bison whose wife has been cook
Ing up on pies, and chicken salad and
veal roast for<athe last week"
Emma McChesney leaned over a
desk little. and lowered her voice
to the tone of confidence. Now, I'm
not in the habit of making nuisance
of myself like this. don't get so
chatty as a rule, and l know that
could jump over to Monmouth and
get first-class accommodations there.
But just this once I've a good reason
for wanting to make you and myself
a little miserable. Y'see, my son is
travelling with me this trip"
"Son!" echoed the clerk staring.
Thanks. That's what they all do.
After while Ill begin to believe that
there must be something hauntingly
beautiful and girlish about me or ev-
cry one wouldn't petrify when l an
nounce that I've a six-foot son at
tached to my apron strings. He. looks
twenty-one, but he's seventeen. He
thinks the worlds rotten because he
can't grow one of those fuzzy little
mustaches that the men are cultii at
ing to match their hats. He's dc wn
at the depot now. Strengthening ou. our
baggage. Now I want to say this be-
fore he gets here. He's been out with
me just four days Those four days
have been revelation, an eye-opener,
and series of rude jolts He used to
think that his mothers job consisted
Of travelling in Pullmans, eating dell
cate viands turned out by the hotel
chefs, and strewing Featherloom pet
ticoats along the path. l gave him
plenty Of money. and he got into the
habit of looking lightly upon anything
more trifling than five-dollar bill.
He's changing his mind by great leaps.
I'm prepared to spend the night in the
coal cellar II you'll Just fix him up
not too comfortably. It'll be a great
lesson for him. There he is now.
Just coming in. Fuzzy coat and hat
and English stick. Hist! As they
say on the stage"
The boy crossed the crowded lobby.
There was \ little worried, annoyed
frown between his eyes. He laid .
protecting hand ON his mothers arm.
Emma McChesney was conscious of
q little thrill of pride as she realized