The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-11
TODAY'S SHORT STORY

l But Emmy could not sleep. When voices and footsteps were added to the music of the engine she despaired. It was o'clock before silence came, only to be broken again by the fox terrier yipping at cat. A cat! Too late Emmy remembered that her darling Fluff, a prize Angora, was apt to stroll the veranda at night. In, her night gown she ran down stairs and rescued him from the invader. es
 That dog is nuisance she told Charles. .4-ce ..
 He'll be dead dog if he doesnt t let my chickens alone" Charles growled. He's got them scared wild already"
 Lyra Widger came over at .an early hour to telephone to the garage. f.. | Pm afraid our car disturbed you," she said sweetly. Gus and I came home late from a party and it got stuck in the lane." -, ! The warm weather came on and Emmy threw open her windows. Eve nings she and Charles sat on the yer anda, she with her knitting, and he with cigar. @
 The first evening they were both agreeably entertained by the strains of the player piano next door, but after three succeeding recitals of the. same numbers, which lasted well into the night Charles began to grumble.
 Wish the thing would slip cog" he said. By the way, when are they going to get telephone of their own? They're always talking about it."
 II don't know,''if Emmy murmured. She was rather wistfully watching the trail of the Widger car down the street. The whole family were out for an airing and they had nodded condescendingly as they panted away. r.
 Ever ask you to so in that thing ?" asked Charles. ,'@
 "N--no." She flushed. remembering how Mrs. Widger had asked her to do small errand while she was about her own over town whither she had trudged that afternoon. @ Twice the Widger car flashed by 1; they had picked up some friends and were all laughing and chatting gayly.
 Nice thing, car," said Charles
 Yes" Emmy sighed | Charles smoked reflectively:.> Sud Fdenly he demanded
 Does that bird over there keep that squawking up all day!'' ,
 He's rather noisy" admitted Emmy.
 Il should say as much. They're cer- tainly m entertaining family. The only thing that could add to their charms would be for them to have a pair of donkeys tied otit in the front yard. They might together slug down the player piano and the parrot"
 Why, Charles!'. reproached Emmy. but she did not look so shocked as you might think. .s ,e -y
 The next two weeks were even more interesting. The Villagers continued to borrow; the terrier chased the cat and worried the chickens; the parrot swore ] and cackled :; the player piano and the 1 photograph vied with each other and the seven passenger car sailed serenly past without even once pausing at the Wilson's door. ~ s-
 Emmy had two or three good cries and then she began to get angry. When Mrs. Widger came to borrow the perco. later she refused it and Mrs. Widger went away in a great huff.
 | Shell never speak to me again, J Emmy confided to Charles, .'and don't care. It was. the straw too much. l had to have the percolator to make your dinner coffee."
 I've seen the time when you'd have used a tin can and accommodated your neighbors," grinned Charles.
 Two days later moving vann backed up to the Widser door. Emmy could scarcely believe her eyes. They were going away! As the last load vanished from sight, Gus Widger came over and handed her an assortment of borrowed