Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 5, Decatur, Adams County, 4 April 1907 — Page 2

| Below Stairs | • By Will A. Page* J • • • • • Copyright, 1907, by C. H. Butcllffv. • •••••••••••••••••••••••••a Evans, the butler, was Industriously leading the newspaper out loud. On the other side of the kitchen table Mortimer, the coachman, was mending his whip. “The daring robbers then bundled up their booty and decamped,” the pompous butler read very loudly, “leaving the detective officers baffled without a clew. As there was no evidence that the doors had been forced or locks tampered with, the detectives were at first Inclined to suspect the servants, but as Mr. Walcott declared he had the utmost faith in them the police were' not allowed to search their rooms.” Mortimer, oblivious of the newspaper Item, did not reply when Evans stopped reading as though expecting some comment. “I say, Mortimer, old chap, that isn’t such a bad haul, is It? The paper says they got away with $2,000 worth of silver.” “Bad haul?” queried Mortimer. “What are you talking about?” “Talking about?” repeated Evans, disgusted. “Why, what else should I be talking about but the big robbery down the street at old man Walcott’s house?” * “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were reading anything of Importance.” “I should say it was of importance. As the servants there are suspected, that naturally places us in an awkward position.” “What do you mean?" “Aren’t we all servants? And if one of the fashionable families takes up a fad don’t all the other fashionable families follow suit?” “Nonsense, Evans. You’re an old fool.” “I tell you,” persisted Evans, “that If the Walcott servants are suspected of dishonesty the servants of every fashionable family In the city will have to clear their characters.” “Why, we are well known to the missus. I have been with her six years, yet you dare”— And Mortimer rose, flourishing his whip. “I don’t mean you,” sneered Evans. “It’s Miss Charlotte who Is more likely to be suspected.” Mortimer resisted the inclination to strike the fellow, though he was strongly tempted. The doorbell sounding then, Evans, with a muttered Imprecation, rushed to a small mirror hanging on the kitchen wall, primped himself and disappeared, bowing elaborately to Charlotte, the maid newly come to service, who happened to be entering the kitchen at that particular moment. “Now, then, you stupid,” broke in Charlotte, “you almost made ndfe drop the chinaware.” ” »' Charlotte bowed, without speaking, to Mortimer, who commenced to mend the whip with redoubled anxiety. She busied herself at the gas stove making chocolate, and neither spoke a word for several moments. Then Evans broke in hurriedly upon them. “It’s a detective,” he cried, rushing across the room toward the door which led into the front basement. “I seen it on the card he sent up to the missus. ‘A. L. Walker, Detective Headquarters;’ that’s what the card said.” He opened the door into the basement. “But what does he want?” inquired Charlotte. “That’s just what I’m going to find out. There’s a furnace pipe in there that is loose, and it opens right under where the detective is sitting. I can hear every word.” And he disappeared into the cellar. “I’m afraid Mr. Evans is not troubled by scruples, Mr. Mortimer,” said Charlotte, turning to the gas stove again. “I always thought butlers a bad lot.” “I’m glad you think so,” began Mortimer. “Why, Mr. Mortimer, what do you mean?” “Os course one can’t be jealous of a butler,” broke In Mortimer, dropping the whip. “Jealous? Well, I like that!” with a toss of the head. “Perhaps I shouldn’t say jealous,” continued Mortimer, abashed. “But, you see, I wanted to ask you”— “Well?” —“if you’d spend your next evening out with me, unless you have some other engagement.” “Next week, on Thursday?” said Charlotte coquettishly. “No, I don’t think I have anything on my card.” “Then I’ll put you down for next Thursday, Miss Charlotte. Thanks!” “Did you say it was for the grand opera, Mr. Mortimer?” “No, Miss Charlotte; for the coachmen’s ball.” “The coachmen’s ball?” repeated Charlotte enthusiastically. “Oh, how jolly! I’ve always -wanted to go to a coachmen’s ball. It’s—it’s rather exclusive, isn’t it?” “I should say so,” answered Mortimer proudly. “Only those who drive for the west end families are eligible.” The sudden boiling over of the milk Interrupted these pleasant .anticipations of future happiness, and Mortimer was dispatched posthaste to the dining room to secure some chocolate. Charlotte, left alone, reached for her handkerchief and found a letter in the pocket of her apron. Evidently she was deeply Interested, for she read and reread the letter several times. Then she untied the handkerchief, disclosed a large diamond ring and tried It on several fingers. “Cracky! A diamond!” cried Evans, entering suddenly from the cellar.

I (Mariotte hastily tetarhed the riifg tn tier pocket | "It’s my own,” she declared. “It’ was given to mo by a dear old lady I who has just died." "Staff and nonsense!” broke in the man roughly. “It's the diamond some one stole from the mieeas. I heard all about It through the stove pipe. The detective is looking for it now. He’s going to search the bouse.” “But it’s mine, I say"— “Ah, your game is up. my girl. Give mo the ring and I won’t tell. Say you’ll marry me. I can sell the diamond”— “Let me go. You hurt me. Help! Let me go.” “Perhaps you’ll be good enough to oblige the lady,” said Mortimer, striding down to Evans and giving him a twist on the collar. “Be off with you!" Evans withdrew to one side angrily. “I’m going to tell the detective!” he cried roughly. “Then we’ll see whose turn It will be.” The man rushed out of the kitchen angrily. Charlotte flushed red. “What is he going to tell the detective?*’ asked Mortimer. “He—he—thinks I have stolen this diamond,” she answered, showing the ring. “My God! Where did you get that ring?” cried Mortimer. "And he says you stole It? Quick—give It to me before the detective comes. I’ll say I took it.” "But it’s mine—really”— “Then what does he mean? Ah, I know you wouldn’t steal a ring, Miss Charlotte—you wouldn’t steal anything more than you’ve already stolen, my heart—but if I can help you only say the word.” Evans entered a few minutes later at an unfortunate moment. He was decidedly gloomy. “Fine joke, you people may call this, making game of a man,” he muttered, crossing to the cellar door. "The detective—you told him?” eagerly asked Mortimer. “Yes, I told him. I goes upstairs and tells the missus and the detective just as he is about to leave that her maid says as how she stole the diamond ring and Is waiting in the kitchen to be arrested. At that the detective and the missus commence to laugh, and the deteck he says: ‘Guilty conscience, my lady. Watch that maid. Some day she’ll steal preserves.’ And he goes out laughing. And then the missus turns to me and says, ‘Evans, the detective found my ring under the hall rug, where it had fallen.’ ‘All right, ma’am,’ says I, backing out, for I saw something was wrong. “ ‘While on the subject, Evans,’ continued the missus, ‘perhaps you will explain just how you learned I had lost a diamond ring. I never told you!’ And so I was caught, and £he best I could do was to say that one of the furnace pipes was loose and that I happened to be In the cellar by accident Now the missus has given me orders to fix that furnace pipe.” And he gloomily plunged into the cellar. “So you really believed I had stolen the ring?” said Charlotte. “Not once. I was prepared to swear I had stolen it, because I love you.” A terrific crash from the cellar Interrupted them again at a critical moment. “What’s that?” cried Charlotte. “I think the furnace pipe must have fallen on Evans,” answered Mortimer cheerily, taking her in his arms. “Poor Evans,” murmured Charlotte. “And we’ll use my diamond ring as an engagement ring. We must save money now, you know.” Equal to the Occasion. “A Chicagoan named Littledale played with me in amateur theatricals in my early youth,” said a well known actor. “Littledale in one of our shows had to leap into a river In order to escape from a wild beast. “The stage was so arranged that the river was invisible. Littledale was to leap and disappear, striking a soft mattress in the wings, and at the same time a rock was to be dropped In a tub of water to create a splash. “But, though the leap worked all right in rehearsal, on the night of actual performance it went wrong. There was neither mattress nor tub there. When poor Littledale jumped he fell eight feet and landed on an oaken floor with a crash loud enough to wake the dead, and there was no splashing water to drown the crash, by Jove. “The audience, expecting to hear a splash and hearing instead the thunderous impact of Littledale’s bones on the oak, set up a titter. But the heroic Littledale, equal to the occasion, silenced them. “ ‘Heavens,’ he shouted from below, ‘the water’s frozen!’” —Home Magazine. The Account Settled In Full. At a salon in Paris some years ago the Sieur d’Aimerle was one of a group to whom he was imparting an account of his pedigree, which he claimed was derived from the pharaohs of Egypt. Just then the late Baron de Rothschild approached the group, and one of its members called out: “Baron, come and let me make you acquainted with the Sieur d’Aimerle. He cames from pha- : raonlc stock, and you ought to know ■ each other.” “Yes,” said the baron, ■ bowing gravely and addressing D’Al- ! merle, “I believe our families had some . transactions in time past.” “Yes,” re- ■ joined D’Aimerle, “we have a record j that your people when leaving the counj try borrowed a considerable amount of I jewelry from my people, for. which I . should now like to be repaid, with in- - terest.” “I remember the transaction,” 1 said. Rothschild, “but the account was settled at due date. Your fathers re- , ceived a check on the Bank of the Red '. Sea.”

‘tf | "I am ntnetesn yens <M and go to pnrttes a good teat I want to make I nyaelf pleasant and agreeable, bat aa a poor conversationist. Could yon eoggeat some topics of conversation that would take well in mixed company? MABEL.” Yea, MabeL soon as you enter the parlor shake your bead and exclaim In a loud tone: “Oh, dear! I washed my hair yesterday and can’t do a thing with itl” That makes a hit right away and puts every one at ease. This expression can be used whenever conversation lags. Music is a great help. Express yourself this way: "Well, I don’t know anything about music, but I do know what pleases me.” This will give the idea that you are a musician. To discuss art all you have to do Is look at the pictures on the wall and when you see one you like exclaim: “Isn’t that a beaut?" This will divulge your artistic sense. At the supper table reach for the olive dish and say: "There was,a time when I couldn’t eat olives, but I can eat a whole bottle of them now.” Then take five In one grab, and people will like you for saying what you mean. With these few hints you’ll find conversation comparatively easy. —Detroit Free Press. Sugar In Coffee. The average amount of sugar used In coffee Is a study which has become so much of a fascination to a young man who frequents restaurants pretty constantly that be has taken to going to different places for each meal in order to enlarge the sphere of his observations among different classes of people, says the Philadelphia Record. “Poor people, as a rule,” he says, “use more sugar than rich people, and It’s also a pretty constant rule that men drink sweeter coffee than women and that old men have the sweetest tooth of all when it comes to coffee. It is noticeable, too, that drinkers of after dinner coffee make it very much sweeter than that which they take In the morning. I know a middle aged man who takes just two lumps to a cup in the morning, which Is below the average, but Into the little cup he takes after dinner he puts six full sized lumps. This makes a sort of sirup of the drink, which, I suppose, takes the place of after dinner bonbons." Trained Too Well. In Baltimore the rule of the transportation companies Is that children over the age of five years must pay full fare, those under that age being carried free. One afternoon not long ago there were among the passengers on a Charles street car a woman and her son, the latter a big boy of apparently seven years, but who was held In his mother’s lap as If he were a baby. Presently the lad grew restive. "Mommer, mommer,” he murmured, "say, mommer!” The mother, with a premonition of Impending danger, tried to silence the youngster, but to no avail, for he continued to call upon his “mommer.” Finally the woman asked, “Well, what is It, son?” “Mommer, when do I say I’m only five?’ asked the Irrepressible.— New York Times. Blind Pupils. An artist In Paris had much difficulty in getting his pupils to make use of the extremely “Impressionistic” Ideas of art. One evening at a large dinner party he asked ans elderly gentleman next to him, who was very shortsighted, how the gentleman at the foot of the table appeared to him. "Well,” replied the nearsighted one, “I see a very white spot, which I take to be his shirt front, and a flesh colored spot, which I know to be his face.” “Ah,” exclaimed the artist .enthusiastically, “how I wish my pupils could see things as you do!”—Searchlight Feeling Heat and Cold. The principal reasons that we feel objects that are cold when brought in contact with the skin quicker than those that are warm is that the skin, being a very poor conductor of heat absorbs heat slowly from an object of a higher temperature than itself, while other objects which are cooler knd which In nearly every instance are better conductors of heat than the skin absorb heat readily from the skin, and hence a sensation of cold is felt at once. a The Marsh Wren’s Sagacity. Birds often have more sagacity than is generally accredited them. The long billed marsh wren, which builds a sub- i stantial nest of rush leaves, swinging : in the tall rushes of a marsh, invariably makes several nests, but only uses one. This is undoubtedly for the purpose of misleading Its enemies. The nest used Is always the best hidden, while those not used—the decoy nests —may be easily found by those who seek them. Bad Penmanship. Mr. Youngwed—This dessert is—pardon me—perfectly dreadful. Mrs. Youngwed—l’m sorry, dear, but the fact Is the recipe was given me by a friend, and her handwriting is simply atrocious.—Fllegende Blatter. ° A False Alarm. Dechard’s tailor (forcing his way Into the house)—Sir, I want my money. Dechard—Yon relieve me. I thought It was mine you were after.—PeleMele. There is no greater misfortune than not being able to bear misfortune,— latin Proverb.

Where Angela Fear to Tread. A company of young American tMNh ists visited the home of Beethoven In Bonn and were unrestrained in expressions of wonder, admiration and approval es the room where the master had lived and worked. They asked many questions about Beethoven, and finally one young lady seated herself at his piano and proceeded, with true American confidence, to play the “Moonlight Sonata,” Beethoven’s own work, in his own room, on his own piano. Such an Interesting combination! The old caretaker stood there, stern and silent When the performance was over the yotfng lady turned to the old man and said: “I suppose many musicians have been here and have played on this Instrument?” “Paderewski was here once, madame”— "Ah!” she sighed. “But” continued the faithful guardian, “when some one urged him to play on Beethoven’s piano he said, 'No; I am not worthy.’” When the Disease Let Go. An old man was Just recovering from an operation, and as he lay regaining consciousness he heard the doctor say to a nurse regarding some powders to be given him, “If one every hour is too much give him a half one every half hour.” The old gentleman raised himself up on his elbow and said: “Say, doc, that reminds me of a man that had a Newfoundland dog. His wife got so tired of having him (the dog, not the man) track up the floors and porches that finally she made her husband take the dog to town and sell him. That afternoon he returned radiant ‘Well,’ he said, ‘l’ve sold him for s2s!’ ‘Good!’ cried his wife. ‘I can get that hat now.’ ‘But’ continued the man, ‘I bought two puppies with the money.’ ” The doctor looked at the nurse and said: “I think he’ll recover.” P. S.—He did.—Judge. Sacred Monkeys of India. In “Living Animals of the World" some curious stories are told about the habits and characteristics of the monkey tribes. It seems that the entellus monkey is the most sacred of all in India. It is gray above and nutty brown below, long legged and active, a thief and an Impudent robber. In one of the Indian cities they became such a nuisance that the faithful determined to catch and send away some hundreds. This was done, and the holy monkeys were deported In covered carts and released many miles off. But the monkeys were too clever. Having thoroughly enjoyed their ride, they refused to part with the carts and, hopping and grimacing, came leaping all the way back beside them to the city, grateful for their outing. One city obtained leave to kill the monkeys, but the next city then sued them for “killing their deceased ancestors.” Ways of ths Flying Fish. Flying fish swim in shoals varying In number from a dozen to a hundred or more. They often leave the water at once, darting through the air In the same direction for 200 yards or more, and then descend to the water quickly, rising again and then renewing their flight Sometimes the dolphin may be seen in rapid pursuit, taking great leaps out of the water and gaining upon his prey, which take shorter and shorter flights, vainly trying to escape, until they sink exhausted. Sometimes the larger sea birds catch flying fish In the air. The question whether the flying fish use their fins at all as wings is not fully decided. The power of flight is limited to the time the fins remain moist. How Birds’ Nests Are Made Round. The little abandoned nest had fallen from the tree. The nature student lifted it from the ground. “How round it is,” he said. “No cup rim could be rounder. Don’t you wonder how the bird, with neither rule nor compass, can make her nest so round? Well, she does it easily. She builds the nest about her breast, turning round and round in It, and its circular character comes spontaneously and Inevitably. The circle is found everywhere in the buildings of the lower animals. The straight line, on the other hand, they can never achieve." Vulgar Fractions. Everything that Bobby learned at school he endeavored to apply in fils daily life and walk. When his mother asked him if one of his new friends was an only child Bobby looked wise and triumphant “He’s got just one sister,” said Bobby. “He tried to catch me when he ■ told me he had two half sisters, but I ! guess I know enough fractions for ! that!”—Youth’s Companion. Ths Reason For It. “No,” said the imbittered person, “when I want financial assistance I go to strangers. I do not ask friends or relatives.” "Well,” answered the logical man, I “maybe that’s the best way. Friends I and relatives are in a position to keep posted on a man's record.”—Washington Star. Man’s Love For Woman. “If a man loves a woman for her looks he will love her for five years. If he loves her mind he will love her for ten years. If he loves her ways he will love her forever.” And every wo- - man believes when she marries that her lover loves her ways. Oral Surgery. Benham—l wish you would perform an operation on your talk. Mrs. Ben- ' ham—What do you mean? Benham— Cut it out—New York Press.

„.. , _ By CARROLL GORDON. Oopyriikt 1807, by P. C. Eaatmsnt. ’ in =O “Do you draw up resolutions and things?" asked Kate Masters eagerly. “No,” scorned Matte. “You send a committee to the boss and tell him we won’t work any more.” “I’d rather write,” declared Grace Kelso. “I’d be scared to death to go in there and talk to him.” “Writing isn't half so good,” declared Matte. “You just tell him what the matter Is and that we’ll go on strike If Bromley isn’t dismissed, and that’s ail there is to it" “All,” repeated Kate. “I should think it would be enough. The idea of going right in to Mr. Temple and telling him that we’re not going to„work any more unless Bromley is sacked. I’d be so scared I couldn’t speak.” “I’m not afraid,” said Matte disdainfully. “I vote that we make Matie Lester a committee all by herself,” suggested Grace, and the motion was unanimously carried without the formality of a seconding. “No, you don’t,” cried Matte. “I’ll do the talking, but we want a lot of girls for the committee. It has a good effect.” In the end a committee of five was appointed, and It was agreed that the noon hour the next day would be the proper time for making the demand. Matie lay awake half the night thinking what she should say, and her argument was continued in her dreams. The room was all excitement the next morning, and as the noon hour approached the excitement grew more intense. Every girl in the room left her lunch untouched to accompany the committee on its errand of protest and left them only at the beginning of the short hall at the end of which was Edward Temple’s office. The departure of the escort seemed to have a bad effect on the others, for, as Matie rapped on the door and a deep voice responded, the other four girls right about faced as by common impulse and fled down the passageway. For a moment Matte watched them, dismayed. Then with a firm hand she turned the knob and entered the room. In place of the gray haired man she expected to find the 'room was tenantTl" fl I ' ■ ?'’l Ml/ *65^71 It “I BEG IOUB PABDON,” SHE STAMMERED. A ed only by an alert young fellow, who looked up expectantly as she approached. “I beg your pardon,” she stammered. “I thought that this was Mr. Temple’s room?’ “So It. is,” he responded briskly, “and this Is Mr. Temple. Only it happens that my father did not come down this morning. Anything I can do for you? I am Frank Temple.” “I don’t know that you’ll do,” she said dubiously. “You see, I’m a strike —I mean a strike committee,” she corrected. “A single committee Is rather unusual,” he smiled. “Do I understand that you represent the factory?” “The finishing room,” she explained. “There were five of us, but the rest ran away.” “I see,” he said gravely, though his eyes twinkled. “And may I ask the nature of the demands to be made?” “It’s that horrid Jim Bromley,” she exclaimed. “We don’t want more money or anything, but we want a new foreman. He’s just as mean as can be. He wouldn’t have Bess Bradley’s machine fixed the other day, and when it broke down and hurt her hand he docked her for the time she was away. He’s always fining us for every little thing, and he’s that mean”— Matle’s pause spoke volumes, and her eyes added to the story. Temple grinned. j “I shall have to look Into this,” he said. “Take a chair, please.” He left ■ her to herself, but presently he came i back with another young man as clean cut as himself. I “Mr. Everett will look Into the matter,” said Temple. “Just tell him about mean Mr. Bromley.” “Now you’re laughing at me,” said Matie Indignantly. “Far from it,” he denied. “Grievance committees should be treated most seriously.” [ “And this Is serious,” she declared, I J

' tantog to' Everett' Her Maa* of | wreag eaMatae* gar* *ar elequMca, aa* her eyes Mapped m ebe recited c long tale es Bromley's wrongs. Everett listened attentively, though at times he and Temple exchanged sympathetic glances as some quaint turn of speech caught their sense of humor. “Thio is a matter that most certainly should be looked into,” he said. "I do not believe in fines except as a last resort Suppose you help us got at the bottom of the trouble.” “I’m telling you all about it now,* she cried. ” “I know," he agreed, "but to get Bromley right wp shall have to watt. Now, if you will explain to the others that the matter will be properly settled if they will go on as they have been doing for a week I think we can hand a very unpleasant surprise to the enterprising Mr. Bromley. It appears from the books that few fines 1 have been turned in. On account of the number of employees the envelopes are made up several days ahead, and the foreman of each department takes out the fines. Now, on Saturday make a note of all the fines, bring the envelopes to me, and we will have the matter straightened out.” Matte looked him squarely In the eye. “Do you really mean that?” she demanded. “Most certainly,” he assured. "Shake hands on It,” she demanded. Everett blushed as his fingers closed over the smaller hand—and lingered there. Matie went back to the room with a sense of Importance. Word was passed along that It was all right and to meet on the corner after the factory, closed. There was a babel of voices as the plot was unfolded, and when at last the Impromptu meeting adjourned Everett was lingering there. “I saw the crowd forming,” he laughed as he fell into step beside Matie, “and I waited to hear the outcome?* She tucked her hand through the proffered arm, and together they went down the street. The next night Everett was waiting again, and so on until Saturday, when at the noon hour the girls were paid off. There were the usual heavy fines marked on the envelopes, and Matte formed a line and marched off to the office. Bromley had already turned back to the cashier the fines he had collected, but a rapid computation showed that the envelopes and the statement to the cashier developed a discrepancy of more than $lO. The foreman had been detained in the office on a pretext, and when he left the building it was in company with a blue coated official, and the girls llngered on the corner to hold a jubilee over the downfall of their enemy. “Who’s going to be cashier now?” demanded one of the celebrants!. Matie grew red. "I’m to *e in charge for a little while,” she said. “Mr. Everett arranged that last night” “That’s too bad,” said one of the 2 girls. “Why, please?” demanded Matie hotly. “We won’t have any one to speak for us when we want to go on strike against you.” “That’s so,” laughed one of the oth- . ers. “All the other girls on the committee ran away.” “I guess I shall not be in charge long enough for you to get sore on me,” said Matte Importantly. “I’m to be r married in a month.” This was news indeed, and the girls crowded eagerly about her. For a moment she fought off their questioning, but at last she faced them defiantly. i “I’m going to be married to Mr. EVWj erett, if you have to know,” she said, a’j “That’s what you get for being on | the committee,” said one of them en- I viously. J “Well,” reminded Matie, “there’s four of you that can’t say you have a chance, and I don’t mind telling j you that I’m glqd you didn’t take it**l Jim Everett is worth interviewing the 1 / president himself for.” Dumas’ “Camille." Dumas’ famous play “Camille” is a dramatized novel. The book is called ‘♦The Lady With the Camellias,” and the author,' Alexandre Dumas, Jr., based his central character on Marie Duplessis, a Parisian actress, to whose kindness and patronage he owed much of his early success. He stopped one day, through missing a train, at a" common little inn kt St. Germain, frequented by laborers and carters. The idea of the story struck him while there, and he began it, writing on a corner of the inn table. He remained there « three weeks, at which time it was fin- ’ ished. The first publisher of the story gave the young author $240 for the privilege of printing two editions, aggregating 2,700 copies. When Dumas proposed a third edition he was told " to go about his business, which he did, making an immense sum for himself and his next publisher. i Two Odd Blunders. There stands in Westminster abbey, London, a splendid monument of Cromwell in riding attire. The spurs which < adorn his high boots are upside down, showing that while the man who created the statue was an expert in this line he was totally unfamiliar with the art of riding. These reversed spurs are not always noticed by visitors, but those who know about them find them one of the most interesting features of the monument One of the famous I swords wielded by that warrior, the Black Prince, Is to be seen in a window in the same building. It is a painted window on the landing leading from the floor of the palace to the committee rooms above. On the weapon held in the hands of the prince may be read an inscription in which the. words "Prince of Whales” figure prominently. ■ ' -J