Show U orlee A ROMANCE N OXE ACT josephus Smith ingwell was a dry goods clerk in tho city and as far as his limited would salary allow was a ando in every sense of alie word he was also very much in lovo with a gushing little damsel who lived in the suburbs and used to pay regular visits homo eliat is six times a week and twice on sunday they were engaged as a matter of course and would doubtless doubt lees have been one and inseparable ere this but the girls sire could not bo mado to see in the same light as that of young people and had told josephus tomako himself scarce about that domicile hence and forever this did not cool the ardor of the lovers at all in fact as is usual in such cases it had the contrary effect and they used to meet on the sly when the old man thought his dutiful daughter to be peacefully slumbering in her bedroom one night josephus met maria that was her name at the usual place when she informed him that lier father would not be homo that night as ho haigono had gono to another town on busness and would not return until the next day this was glorious news BO they adjourned to the parlor of the mansion per fering it to the cool autumn air their solitude and contentment was short lived for unexpectedly and without warning walked into tho room and seeing josephus in the act of kissing maria deliberately took hold of his coat collar yanked him to the door and kicked him down the front steps which somewhat damaged the wearing apparel of josephfa Jose his feelings wera hurt somewhat also jess hekert on meeting maria at the place until an event happened which blocked all the romance out of tho poor on this particular occasion josephus was detained at the store until quite late but as soon as he was at liberty he hastened to hia lodgings to prepare for his customary visit to maria he put on a clean collar also his round top stiff hat and with a toothbrush sticking out of his vest pocket he sailed forth to meet his hearts desire on arriving at the place where they generally met maria was not there josephus was so late and thinking herself deserted she had retired with tears in her eyes however josephus was determined not to go home without a sight of his beloved so he carefully ampro chod the house and crept to a spot directly under her window ho then softly called maria maria the window above was suddenly raised and maria was heard to exclaim drat the cats just then something whizzed through the air it was a and hit josephus on the head which caused him to hallba and scamper away from there in great haste maria saw her mistake but it was too late josephus never went there again and now the feline race prowl about the house in undisturbed serenity making night hideous with their wails but maria will not molest them for she says it is unlucky to throw anything at a cat QUILLE |