Life — January 5, 1893 — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

*- LIFE: i 114 ELEGANCE AND FORCE. Tom: Suk's 4 palsy, AIN'T SHE, BILL? Bill: Daisy? Wy, & DAISY AIN'T NO SUKUMSTANCE TO HER. SHE'S A WHOLE BooKay ! THE WAY IT MIGHT BE. CE Sitting-room of an uptown house, evidently belonging to com- Sortably well-to-do people. A fire burns in the open grate, but it needs trimming and more coat. Two or three books lie open, face downwards on the table, and every burner ona large chan- delier is at full blaze, Seated in an uneasy chair, gazing moodily at his boots, is a Ban. Appearances seem to denote that the Man is Married. A clock on the mantel strikes seven linkling strokes with all the accuracy of the French time-piece. THE MAN (stirring slightly): Hump! hi enty-five minutes past three, No || woman can make me believe that it is i necessary for her to be out at such an hour | 1 asthis. By Jove, | won't believe it! (Rises, goes to the window and looks out), Rain- ing. Case of cab; and the usual argu- ment with the driver on the sidewalk, I suppose. Ab, well! (Sughs, and returns to chair. Picks up a half- smoked cigar and relights it. Pullshard at it for two or three puffs, then throws it in the fire.) Confound a cigar when it's once out! T'll light up a fresh one, although I'm nervous now through smoking too much, lid). Empty, by Jupiter! Now, I'd like to know what becomes of my cigars, I don't smoke them, and there's no man in the house. What was that? (Listens). Nothing. Great Scott! When is this sort of thing going toend? [think Pll finish it all up and always saying so, but I don't do it. ( deep, buss voice is heard sing- ing *Ta-ra-ra boom-de-ay,” some distance down the street, with con- siderable rallentando). \ wonder if that's Pshaw! It can't be. A cab drives up to the door sith much hoofelatter, A short dis- (Goes to ornamental cigar-box and rats back to the governor. I'm cussion follows its stopping, which ts ended by a voice saying: “All right, old man. Here, take this and get yourselfa drink. I guess that ll square it." The front door bangs. The cab drives away. Enter sitting-room,a Woman. There is a joyous flush on her face, an electric sparkle in her eyes. She walks steadily but with suspicious precision. Tue Woman : bed long ago. ‘Tue Max: Why should I go to bed? I cannot sleep. Tue Woman: Nonsense, darling. Pure imagination brought on by nervousness and—and whatever else it is. Tne MAN: Where have you been? THE WoMan (taking off her wraps): Well, dear, I'll tell you how it was. I met Mrs. Golightly this afternoon—hadn't seen her since goodness knows when, you know—and we went into Tryhards'and got a—a cup of chocolate. Well, you know yourself how hungry half a dozen—cups of chocolate will make anyone, so she insisted on my going to dine with her. THe MAN (/cily): Coulda't you have let me know, instead of allow: ing me to imagine all sorts of things ? Tue Woman (coaxingly): Foolish boy !- What could you imagine ? | did try to telephone you but the wires were all out of order. THe Man: What was the matter with a messenger boy ? THE Woman: A messenger boy! Well, darling, you see—(then in tones of intense surprise)—but, do you mean to tell me that no mes- senger boy has been here ? Tue MAN: None whatever. Tue Woman: Why, what an extraordinary thing! But then, you know messenger boys never do deliver messages. Look in any comic paper in the country and you'll find it’s so. Tue Mas: Did you send a messenger ? Tue Woman: What's that, dear? THE MAN: Did you send a messenger ? THE WoMAN (11th sudden gravity): Do you or do you not wish me to tell you all about it ? What, still up, dearie? I thought you would be in AFTER THE OPENING OF THE WATER COLOR EXHIBITION. Ny the, “RAWEL THERE'S ANOTHER FELLOW'S SOLD § PICTURE.” comicbooks.com