The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-11
let me give you little advice. You
were born In the country. and"-


were born in the country. and"-
Weren't you?"
"No. ma'am."
Weren't you born exactly one mile
east of Podunk?'
"No-that is to say, was born there,
but was reared"-
I'm Podunk itself. hamlet of thir-
teen houses and n cider mill"'
Mrs. Bowser." he continued after
moment. crossing his hands under his
coattais and balancing himself heel
and toe, II want to define my position
in this matter. You We're born and
brought up in the country. You have
never had a chance to study human
nature us have. The average face is
the index of the average mind, but
you haven't learned to read facial ex-
pressions yet"
Have your she asked as he halted
for breath.
Certainly. Indeed, it came natural
to me. can detect an unworthy per-
son at glance | can almost tell
what he Is thinking about. From the
mere glance | got at that womans
face ] would wager my shoes against
a toothpick that she is chronic beg
gar and wretched fraud
! 81 can't believe it," replied Mrs. Bow
ser.
Indeed! What you can or cannot he
lieve is of very little Importance to a
nation Of 90.O0O.O00 people. Mrs. Bow
ser. I say she was unworthy and that
settles it. However. do not blame
you so verv much. as she probably
told a very plausible story. But lei
this be the last time. I am just as
charitable as the next man, and per.
haps more 80. but want to know who
I'm giving to-"
81 can't help but believe she was just
what she represented herself" protest
! ed Mrs. Bowser.
THAT matter was definitely settled
Mrs. Bowser-defnitely settled. under
stand-when I declared her unworthy
I will some day give you instructions
as to reading human nature, but until
| l do give to no more mendicants. You
simply encourage fraud, vice, ignorance
and crime. There is no telling but
what your action in this case will land
! that woman behind prison bars to
morrow"
II don't see how it could" she re-
piled.
Probably not There's great many
things you haven't seen. can't see and
never will see, Mrs. Bowser. When
am away give all such people the cold
shoulder When | am home refer them
to me. In that way no mistakes can
possibly arise"
About o'clock that evening the gate
bell rang, and pretty soon the cook
came in and reported that there was q
man outside who wanted money for q
nights lodging.
"Ah! Got the house located down
fine. haven't they" sarcastically ex
claimed Mr. Bowser, who was reading
his newspaper.
Tell him we have nothing to give.
said Mrs. Bowser to the cook.
"Tell him nothing of the kind!' add
/ ed Mr.. Bowser. "On the contrary, send
him right In here. Here's chance fol
you. Mrs. Bowser. to take first lesson
in reading human nature See how
quickly l will turn him wrong side out
! Move that chair for him to sit down on.
| A moment later the man was shown
in. He was tough looking specimen
Of mankind and looked as IL he had
tramped twice around the globe. Ther'
was rum in his breath and shavings tr
his hair, and had he even appeared by
daylight Mrs. Bowser would have shut
the door on his toes.
well. slrT' sharply queried Mr. Bow
ser.
Its case of heart disease. SIR, and
/ can't work." whined the man.
Run out your tongue"