Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1903 — A NEIGHBORLY CALL. [ARTICLE]

A NEIGHBORLY CALL.

BUT rr WAS PAID AT AN UNSEASONABLE HOUR. Aad (he Trouble Waa Barter Inrr ' hr the caller* XtflMtUf to Make Bare That They Were at the Bight Place. Wise la the than who, if fate decrees that be shall dwell In a flat, takes pains to master all details by which his own douitflle may be distinguished from that of his next door neighbor. For if be fails to do bo strange things may transpire, as this story win demonstrate. It happened only a few nights ago and In Woodlawn, which is a veritable wilderness of fiat buildings of all sizes and designs. One of tbe old fashioned structures is particularly confusing. It has an infinity of length, in which there are six entrances, all much alike, each giving Ingress and egress to the tenants of eight flats. Two or 1 three weeks ago a family took up its abode in the building, occupying tbe ground floor flat on tbe east side of tbe fourth entrance from the east end of the building. That sounds easy enough. So far all well and good. But on tbe night in question the family, consisting of a rather young father, a good looking yonng mother and a little girl went to the theater, leaving the flat in charge of the brother of the paterfamilias, a young man of some 21 years aqd gifted with an appetite for slumber.

It was late when the family ed—nearly 1 o’clock, in fact How it happened no one knows, but they, |fl missed tbe count and turned tn at tOO fifth entrance from the easfend of tne building instead of the fourth. A ring at tbe doorbell at first brought no reply. They were vexed, for they had no latchkey with them. A few more rings, however, brought an answer. Tbe door was opened an inch and a sleepy male voice said, “Who is It?” “Why, it’s us, of course,” was the answer. “What did you think it was, burglars?” And with this remark tbe man pushed ou through the door, followed at once by his wife and little girl, into the dimly lighted parlor. In-the middle of the room stood a dazed looking individual, with sleep heavy lids and frowzled hair, attired only in a rather brief night garment Paying no more attention to her supposed brother-in-law, tbe woman took off her hat and began making berself otherwise quite at borne. At last the figure in tbe middle of the room spoke. This is what he remarked: “If you folks want anything here, of If I can do anything for you, please tell me and I’ll try and accommodate you.” As sure as fate, that voice was a strange voices, “Why, isn’t this No. 511 T the man Hskfidt “No; it’s No. 515, if you please.” They stood not on the order of their going, but went at once. Not, however, before tbe woman bad picked up her hat and sundry other articles of wearing apparel and bad grabbed a frightened little girl by tbe arm. The next evening an extremely embarrassed young man made a brief call to apologize for a blunder he attributed to a lack of acquaintance with tbe appearance of the building at night. Tbe apology was accepted in good port. It is said that people In the same flat building never got acquainted with each other. Tbe young man who was mistaken for a brother and a brother-in-; law now la wondering whether that call was the end or only the beginning s t social relations between the two families. As be Is the older tenant, be says tbe problem is one bis wife must decide.—Chicago Tribune