The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-21
Chapter SO
The Honeyed Tongue

Chapter SO
The Honeyed Tongue
~ HAVE not the advantage o.
4 your name" said the Chiseler
Its Mrs. Dipsang." 81
"Ah! Mrs. Dipsang. An unusual
name, but extremely euphonious
If may say so. My Fluctuations t.
Mr. Dipsang.
Mrs. Dipsang blinked little
She had long since ceased to mourn
the marine minded Dipsang. But
out of respect for his memory, i
was her custom to shed tear OF
two whenever his name was men
toned.
The Chiseler noted the blinks.
81 trust" he said solicitously
shat ] have not Inadvertently
touched upon a delicate subject
"Oh, no." said Mrs. Dipsang
Wiping her eyes with the end of q
handkerchief. ITS just that Dip
sang got himself lost overheard of
a sfip"
Had the Chiseler rehearsed his
reception of this information he
could not have comported himself
In a manner better calculated to
win Mrs. Dipsang'S esteem. He
took off his hat and bowed his mas
sive head on his, chest. In this atti-
tude he remained for the space Of
two minutes. Mrs. Dipsang was
deeply moved.
Very sad" he said gently. "a
most unfortunate occurrence. Tell
me, Mrs. Dipsang, how long ago did
this er-tragedy take placer" A
few details, he thought, might pos
sibly come in handy. One never
knew.
mime years ago next Christ
mas" Mrs. Dipsang told him.
HIM." said the Chiseler. Hunt
Most regrettable."
Mrs. Dipsang did not reply I'M
rnediately and the Chiseler con-
sidered the time ripe for with
drawal.
well" he said, consulting his
watch, II am afraid that ] shall
have to take my departure. / hope
you will not consider t--ah--for-
ward of me if I say that it has
been a long time since have had
so charming a conversation"
But if he thought to divert Mrs.
Dipsang with honeyed words, he
had reckoned without his hostess.
You're not going" she said.
"Oh, but ! must" said the CHS
eler.
Mrs. Dipsang shook her head
No, you're not going. If you at
tempt to, / shall scream"
| The ChiSeler bowed to the in
evitable. He passed through the
door. But once over the threshold
he embarked upon Sidelong and
somewhat circuitous course de-
signed to present the front of HIM
self only to the eyes of Mrs. Dip
sang.
Mrs. Dipsang noticed the flank
ing movement.
"What are you rnincing around
for?" she asked sharply.
The Chiseler answered this but
feebly.
"Er-um -ah,n he said.
take that chair" Mrs. Dipsang
commanded, indicating an over
stuffed article in corner.
Obediently the Chiseler backed
toward it.
Very Irregular
GOOD Heavens, man, what's
" the matter with your" said
Mrs. Dipsang.
If you must know, Mrs. Dip
sang" he said, somewhat austere-
ly, Il have been so unfortunate as
to tear my trousers. :
"Oh! Torn your trousers, Ell?
Well, sakes alive, why didn't You
say so?"
Il did not" said the. Chiseler
primly, consider it fit subject
for discussion"
Rubbish. Take 'em OFF,
The Chiseler, had the grace to
blush.
Are you seriously suggesting.
Madam" he said frigidly, that ]
remove my trousers?"
Ceftalnlys HOW else DO you
think I can mend them?n
The Chiselerf breathed easier,
then went into a huddle with him
self. This was all very irregular.
But, undeniably, he was in spot,
And, without question, it would
facilitate matters once more to
possess a satisfactory pair of pants.
Come, come urged Mrs. Dip
sang. You can't 60 around with
your pants torn. You can take them
off behind that screen over there.
The Chiseler came to a decision.
II was by far the better part Of
valor to humor this woman and
get hims elf made presentable
again In the process. He arose and
went behind the screen.
Had he emerged from this shell
ter amoment later, he would have