The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-04-27

ing club that night and that we
would have TO entertain ourselves.
When we got upstairs he was going
to make some change In his clothing.
l took him by his coat collar and
said:
Samuel Bowser, you sit right
down here and hear what ! have to
say. If you go to a bowling club. !
shall go with you! don't know
what bowling club is. but ! want
to learn. 1t seems as If ! had heard
that they shoot at nine pins or ten
pins ut bowling clubs, hut ! nm go
| ing along to make sure. II must be
very amusing and exciting, but
want TO see for myself"
you'd look nice Mt bowling club"
was Samuel's mean reply.
"I'd look just ns nice ms you would.
Yon are not the prettiest man In the
world. though you have got whole
carload of cOnceit about you. i can
be ready In two minutes
"Ynu needn't get ready, for shan't
stir stepw
"Well. we can pass pleasant eve
ming here. There are lots of things !
want to talk TO you about"
'"There will he no talking here" said
Mr.. Bowser through his clenched teeth.
/ IF don't 20 to the bowling club, |
shall go to II poker club. My club has
great game on hand tonight"
"Good!" ! exclaimed. "Poker suits
me better than bowls. You didn't
know. did you. that played poker?
Well. do. and have been called the
best player in our town. can fill a
straight or flush nine times out Of
ten, and have held royal Pushes four
times in one evening. Why, Samuel.
will play the conts off the backs OF
all the members Of the club"
"There will be no poker for you
this evening"" said Mr.. Bowser. II
won't 60 anywhere If you are going
to tag along after me. Haven't you
any sense of propriety?"
"Heaps of 1t, Samuel, but you don't
get away alone this tiessed night.
You need me to watch yer you. Some
mother in-laws wouldn't care cop
per If their only sOn-inlaw went to
destruction. but II happens that ! do
and SO shall take good care of YOU"
Mr.. Bowser settled back into his
chair to plan something. His wife,
who was at the head of the stairs
and had heard our talk. threw me
down my hat and cape, that might
be ready for any emergency. 1t was
very thoughtful Of her, and 1t was a
help that come just in time. had
turned my back to look out of win
dow when Mr.. B0wser softly sneaked
down the hall, and had got his hat
on when discovered him. He had
not vet closed the door behind him
when was at his side. ! had cape
and hat in MY hand. and put then
ron anyway. At the gate Mr.. BdwseI
started on run and ran hftel
him. and soon overlook him, for NJ
son-in-law can outrun his mother-in
; law If she is determined to win thu
race.
ut Is a pleasant evening, Mr.. Bow
SER" said as took his arm.
"Say, are you going to make n hol!
; show of yourself?' he exclaimed as III
came to stop.
"Not unless you compel me to
Sammy" replied in motherly tones
LET us stroll about little while ant
see the moon and stars and learn i,
little about astronomy. We will after
ward call ut the residence of Mr.
Bowser, which Is somewhere alon,
> here. Perhaps vol have read of Mr.
, Bowser in the papers? He is an awfu
$ nice man. but he has lots of whim
$ and oddities. think you will like hin
] If you become acquainted"
"This Is disgrace" he said II
: desperation, not knowing what to do.
Don't take 1t so much to heart
:. Samuel. You have got the hes
$ mother-in-law in any four states. an,
she is only being kind to you. If yo,
feel chills go up and down your back
bone, and you probably do, let us e
6 back into the Bowser house."
!. Mr.. Bowser came back without nm
Il other struggle or word. ard when h
d hung up his hat in the hall ! knew
8 had him beaten. He gave n gasp an
e a sigh, and fell into the nearest chat
n like a bag Of sand dropped from tn
roof of horse barn. He didn't tai
q much that evening, but sat and glare
4 ut me. and once In While he uttere
II "humph" to himself. He didn't sho,
!, one hit of conceit, and he didn't swe
4 out his chest and try to play boss. II
was just silent and very. very goot
and when I left home, after five day.
:, visit, he almost squeezed my han
when he said good-by.
= AS said before, Mr.. Bcwser Is
= good man Mt heart hut there Is nee
;. of brick house falling on him abor
= once in six weeks, and am that bric
:. house and shall continue to fall.