Lakeland Evening Telegram Newspaper, April 28, 1915, Page 6

s AEREL IS By ISABEL WESTOVER PRICE. (Copyright, 1915, by W. G. Chapman.) Just as they do in the story books, Farmer Levi Drury approached his -son_on his twenty-first birthday posed and prepared to act the old type, ex- acting but indulgent parent. “Justus,” he observed smartly, “you know my system: to throw the grown birds out of the home nest to shift for themselves when the time comes. I've done it with your brothers. They've done me proud, too, bless 'em: You're the last. Don’t spoil the record.” “No, sir, I won't,” asserted Justus soberly, “but I love the old home.” “Take this one hundred dollars,” proceeded old Levi, ignoring sentiment and sticking close to hard practical facts. “Make it the nest egg for a home of your own.” So, fortified with more ready cash than he had ever possessed be- fore, a tearful blessing from his moth- er and good resolutions.and bounding ambition in his heart, Justus Drury started down the road, a dim thought of the big bustling city with its mani- fold promises in his heart. “I've got to see Violet before I go, that's sure,” he told himself. Violet Moore was the orphan niece | of Jabez Lincoln, farmer. It was a poor farm and she was a poor girl. She greeted Justus with the open candor of love and commiserated his departure so much that he went to her uncle. “Mr. Lincoln,” he said manfully, “you know how much Violet and I love one another. I've got a little money, I can surely get work around | here somewhere. Consent to our mar- riage. We are young, industrious, and together we will be supfemely happy, while parted all kinds of mishaps may come to us.” “My boy,” replied Mr, Lincoln blunt- ly, “love is impulgive and common sense a sure guide. The day you earn and own a home of your own, even if it's only a ten by twelve one- “Hey, Old Pard! That Looks Good.” room cabin, if Violet's willing to take the risk I'll give you my blessing.” “That's a bargain!” cried Justus cheerily. . “Oh, Justus!” whispered Violet log cabin would be a palace “I'll do better than that,” boasted Justus brightly. “I know you will. One thing, though, Justus: you are liberal and good-heart- ed. Remember, every cent we save now counts.” So timely and true was this, Justus realized, that within an hour he modi- fied his plans as to reaching the city. Whereas, he had planned a second class journey, he now decided that freight transit would be good enough. And no eating house extravagance! Justus bought a big bagful of crackers and cheese and went down to the rail- road switchyards on a search for free transportation. A train was just making up. , An empty freight car attracted him. ‘The chalk marks on its outside told him that it was city-bound. At each end of the car was a heap of straw, evidently the former eaver- ing of a brick shipment. The train had started and Justus had begun a frugal lunch, when there was a rustle in the heap of straw at the other end of the car. A frowzy-headed fellow emerged from the impromptu couch, with the words: “Hey, old pard! that looks good and I'm hungry.” “Then you're welcome to \all you can eat,” answered Justus brightly and his fellow traveler fell to with a vengeance. He was a goodnatured roving tramp, one of the sort that appreci- ates a Kindness, and during the next two hours he regaled Justus with many an interesting recital of unique experiences. They had got well out into the country and Justus was seated near to the half-open door, his companion lying on his back smoking, when there was an ominous jar. The train had suddenly let up on speed. At the shock Justus glanced beyond the door. His eyes buiged Ahead, near a bridge where the rails curved, he saw half a dozen cars swerve out and go down an embank- ment. “Jump!” he almcst screamed, grab- “Landlady.” iction which the posses- used to give is still exem- e titles of “landlord” and Persons are amused at washwoman, for instance, on the term “lady.” But the same woman run a rooming whatever description, and s “landwoman,” but a “land- i cEf ,E ¢ g 3 1 11 H £z % (i gl b, I bing at the tramp and pulling him to his feet. Head over heels both went tumbling down the grassclad embankment. They sat up at its bottom somewhat bruised, to stare in awe as the car they had left met the jam ahead and was splintered to fragments. “I say!” shuddered the tramp, “you grabbed me just in time. Thanks!” Two hours later the queerly-matched twain stood near the center of the wreck, interested in what they saw. A great car full of grain had left the truin, striking a rocky embankment base, its golden contents scattered over the ground like an exhausted avalanche. The wrecking train dnd an inspec- tor had arrived. The tramp had been acting reflective and calculating for some time. “Wish I had a fair cash stake,” he observed longingly. “What's the idea?” questioned Jus- tus. “Why, there's the inspector going over things. I've been in this kind of wrecks before. See that car of grain?” “Yes?” “And the wrecked chicken car with about half its freight killed? Well, that's wreck salvage, hard for the com- pany to handle. If I was a speculator, I'd buy the stuff offhand. It can be got for a trifle.” “But what would you do with it? “Well, by hook or crook I'd find some old shed or barn that I could rent and take care of the truck.” “Look here,” said Justus, after a moment’s meditation, “I have a little cash. If you think there is something to be made here, I'll invest.” “You will!” cried the tramp read- ily. “Leave it to me, then.” He was gone an hour and came back with shining eyes. “Say,” he reported, “I'm able to make a dandy arrangement to start a regular chicken farm. Now, let me dicker with the inspector.” Seventy dollars would buy the sal- vage, provided the screened boxes of the \chicken cars were denuded of of his clients from another city comes | twenty-four in and I, of course, overheard all their , Were flashed freely; over the telephone | their hours. What an afternoon and night they had of it! Less than half a mile dis- tant the tramp had located a little cabin that had been vacated by its owner for a more pretentious resi- dence. It had sheds and a stable. Its owner would lease the outfit for a trifle. He loaned them a wagon. contents within By noon the next day eighteen hun- | dred live chickens had been trans- ported to the new ‘chicken farm.” The grain they could remove at their leisure. “It feels good to be respectable and | earning money,” declared the tramp a week later. They had fixed up the old cabin till it was cozy and comfortable. They had sold one thousand chickens for four hundred dollars. With two hun- dred dollars of this Justus had been able to purchase the cabin and two acres of land about it. At the end of two months they had a regular paying business to attend to. The tramp seemed happy and contented. One day Justus went back to his home town. His first call was upon Mr. Lincoln. “I've got that house we bargained By GEORGE ELMER COBB. (Copyright, 1915, by W, fi) Nettie Durand sat at her typewriter 1] stole a secret glance more than once at John Ballentyne, office manager for her employer, Mark Lane. She marveled at his quiet, unobtru- sive ways. During the past six months he was ever the reticent but uniformly courteous young man on all occasions. It had piqued Nettie somewhat, for she was used to attention, and from the first something in the open, earnest face of her office companion had at- | tracted her. / I “No life about him, Nettie, that is my opinion,” Elsinore Drury had told ! her. “He's stone!” | “He has taken me to an entertain- ment twice,” vouchsafed Nettie, “and I:never met a more considerate gen- tleman.” b “No- fire, no enthusiasm,” differed ! Elsinore. “Takes things as they go— no initiative.” " Somehow Nettie was impressed with the ceremonial dignity of Mr. Ballen- tyne, yet it was a pleasant contrast to the shallow frivolity of most young men she knew. “I respect him, that I must say,” i Nettie reflected. Into the office early one morning Elsinore came all in a fluster. | She beckoned Nettie into the rear office, out of the hearing of the others. { “Oh!" she hurried, {I know I am ' not doing right in giving away profes- sional secrets, but I think so much of you!” v i “What now?”" with curiosity. ; “You know I am stenographer for ! Mr. Wilson, and that he is a lawyer?” “Yes, Elsinore.” “Well, just a little while ago ome | talk. It was about your employer, Mr. * Lane.” “Why, how strange!” | “And serious it may turn out for you, dear.” | “You startle me, Elsinore!” I “Well, I'm going to let out a secret. It seems that my employer is the at- torney for a Mr. Charles Manville, and | i 1 | | about,” he announced buoyantly, “and " it's bigger than ten by twelve.” Well, you are an enterprising young man, I'll say that!” commended Mr. Lincoln. Another month spent in decorating the old cabin. And then, there crossed its humble threshold the happiest bride in Christendom, to whom that love-lighted shelter was a palace! MADE DRIVER LOOK FOOLISH Pretty Girl Scored Victory Over Teamster Who Really Was Not a ! Grouch at Heart. A pretty girl, with wide hat tilted | against the breeze, stood hovering on the curb. 'bus was lumbering toward her; but between it and her, blotting out a view of the motorman to whom she was in the act of signaling, there came pounding along a huge four- ‘horse dray. She hesitated a briet moment, then darted into the roadway under the very noses of the horses, waved her muff at the 'bus driver, and, birdlike, fluttered back again to the sidewalk. ' The truck driver, startled out of his lounging attitude, had checked his team with a yank at the reins and & profane-sounding “Whoa;” and, ledn- ing down from his perch with lower- ing brow and chin angrily thrust out, shouted: . “Look out where you're going, boob;" and again as he moved slowly past her: “Boob!” But the pretty girl wasn't daunted. «lipped around the tail of his wa and jauntily boarded the wait- ing “bus; then, as it moved on along- side the dray, pausing on the rear platform, she waved her hand and smiled in friendly fashion at the man, who had turned in his seat and was peering down at her. And the amused onlookers watched a wide and foolish grin spread slowly over the driver's face as he swept off his hat in a deep bow.—New York Evening Post. The Allies. “Do you dare to be angry because mamma does not take your part agalnst me?” \ “Certainly not. That would be ex- pecting altogether too much.” “I should think so!™ “Yes, but I should think she might remain neutral” Phoebe’s Only Chance. Cats at a cat show are not scored on their rat catching records; there- fore it would be of no use to enter Phoebe. She'll have to be shown in & steel and wire trap exhibition.— Toledo Daily Blade. Valuable Alaskan Dogs. In the middle distance a ' | “This Is Indeed Valuable and Timely | Information.” j Mr. Manville is the man who advancea the capital for your Mr. Lané to start l in business.” “I think I have heard something of that,” murmured Nettie thoughttully. “Anyhow, your Mr. Lane has been talking of paying back Mr. Manville for some time. Mr. Manville has got uneasy. Sq he came to the city to con- sult for legal advice. He stated his case to our Mr. Wilson. If your Mr. |hne is going to fail, or is in close quarters, or anything like that, he ' wants to seize on the business to pay himself before a lot of creditors get ahead of him.” “Oh, dear!” fluttered the dismayed Nettle, very pale now. “What did your Mr. Wilson tell him, Elsinore?” “He told him that Mr. Lane was out of town, but that he should come to the office here and sort of hang around and see if there really was anything the matter with the business. Then if he was satisfied that there was no im- mediate danger of his failing, to go back home and visit Mr. Lane when he returned.” “Oh, thank you, dear!" said Nettie, gratefully, but nervously. “I must see Mr. Ballentyne about this at once.” Nettie timorously approached the office manager when Elsinore depart- ed. She led him aside out of the hear- ing of the others. Then she tdld him all that her friend Elsinore had re- vealed to her. John Ballentyne “woke up.” “Still waters run deep,” and the very ex- pression of his intelligent face told Nettie clearly that in times of stress he had the firm reserve anchor of a quick intuition and the mental force to decide quickly. “My dear Miss Durant,” he sald quietly and with a faint smile lurk- ing about the corners of his ligs, “this is indeed valuable and timely informa- tion. I think I am justified in telling you that business affairs here are not as they should be. We owe some bills past due and it is in the power of Varied Menu. T i i awaiting dictation. Meanwhile she challenged Nettie | Quavered Nettie, ready to cry. “But I also have every assurance,” went on Mr. Ballentyne confidentl: “that if we can keep the enemy bay, and this Mr. Manville particula ly, for a day or two, the business is saved.” “I sincerely hope so,” murmured Nettie fervently. “Under the circumstances 1 can see only pne way to avoid trouble—a little harmless deceit. Mr. Manville is self- ish enough to take advantage of our unfortunate situation for his own ben- efit and security. I see no harm in disarming him, as no one will be in- jured, but all parties concerned bene- fited by the operation.” “What do you mean, Mr. Ballen- tyne?” questioned Nettie, wonder- ; ingly. And then, in a low, cautious tone, John Ballentyne imparted a plan, al- | most a plot, to his bright little friend. ' Her eyes sparkled with excitement, ' she gazed with admiration an¥ reli- ance upon the “stone man.” “Oh, you are so clever!” she breathed, and then~flushed hotly, fear- ' ing he would think her too familfar. ' About fifteen minutes later Mr. Man- ville walked into the office. His face was stern, suspicious, prejudiced. “Mr. Lane in?" he inquired. “No, sir,” responded Ballentyne, “He 1is out of the city for two or three days.” ' “H'm! Came quite a distance to meet him. My train does not go back for an hour or two. Believe I'll sit | down and rest, if you don’t mind.” “Not at all, sir. Morning papers?” and in a cheery, helpful way, John Bal- | : lentine made the dreaded guest com- fortable. The latter pretended to read, i but in reality kept eyes and ears on the alert, as Ballentyne well knew. Never was'a plot to inspire confi- | ' dence more successful than that of John and his faithful ally, Nettie. The i i Lane office employees were posted as ! to the part they were to play. Checks, notes, drafts and currency charming Nettie took all kinds of im- ' possible orders. Everything about the place was brisk and busy. Scarcely able to keep her face straight, Nettie took dictation for two letters. They were addressed to two of the leading business men of an- other city. They showed a closeness of business 'interests that fairly stag- gered the foxy creditor, who finally arose and left the office, saying that he wouuld come to town again in about two weeks. 2 ! “It's all right. Mr. Manville has gone home perfectly satisfied,” an- nounced Elsinore, coming into the of- fice a little later. Mr. Lane returned the following day. He had raised new capital. The business was saved. “And you saved it!"” he spoke to Ballentyne, grasping his hand warmly. | “Do not forget how nobly Miss Du- rand helped,” suggested John. jfi“l don’t. You ought to be partners, u two,” smiled Mr. Lane. “You work 80 nicely together.” Nettie blushed red. Johi was mo- mentarily embarrassed. They looked at one another conmsciously. They smiled, each with pleasure, when they were alone together. “How did it all come out?" ques- . tioned Elsinore a few days later. ! And Nettie looked confused, but happily so, as she turned a diamond circlet around on her slim, graceful finger. Y LESSENING A WOMAN’S WORK . Conditions During Recent Years Have Greatly Improved, and Results Have Been Excellent. Our women are carrying their years better. Not only is their length of life increasing, but they are making their youth last longer. They are raising stronger children. There is an uplift to the whole race. Many explanations : are offered, but the big cause underly- | ing the whole effect is the improve- ment of the homes and the lightening of its drudgery. There is now more time for improving the members of the family; more time for culture and travel; more time for civic and other public matters. Staying young is largely a matter of keeping interested in things, and, to keep interested, there must be vari- ety. So the current criticism that .woman {s flying from one thing to an- other and undertaking too much and wearing out her nerves is mnot alto- gether sound. Some of them do, doubt- less, but they are the exceptions. Wom- an's great trouble in the past has been routine. Doctors found that the reason so many cases of mental disease came from the farms was that farm women did not have enough interests. Their loneliness was disastrous. Now that the farm women have the telephone and the automobile and the social soci- eties and other means of diversion and employment, conditions are improving. So, the lessening of woman's work by system and the use of all labor-sav- ing devices possibly really means that besides the enjoyment of better hours she has time for things that will broaden and stimulate her mind, bring her in association with other women and give her the opportunity to be part of the larger life and prog- ress of the age.—Woman's World. Its Advantage. “There is one big advantage the gardener has in his graft over all other kinds.” “What is that?" “He can always get the public to swallow it.” | tity, but deficient as to details. A WALKING GENTLEMAN By LUCILE WARRINGTON. 134, by W. G. Chapman) e ejactlated Vance suddenly, and with some satisfaction, scanning the “Help Wanted” column of the | newspaper he had bought. | 'What now?” queried Mark. “Listen,” and Vance proceeded to read: “Wanted—A presentable, active young man of some imagination and good facial exprullon.&;.ib;:l";:: pensation. Mrs. A, rrace.” ““Well. I vum!” exclaimed Mark “Now what in the world does that mean? What has presentableness, imagination and facial expression to do with it?” “Well, 1 shall try for announced Vance. The Hawthorn terrace address proved to be a fine mansion set in & charming nest of greenery and flow- ers. Vance adopted his best bearing and had handsome features and a well- modeled form to recommend him to the housemaid, who showed him into a little gem of a reception room, say- tng she would take word to “Mrs. Ar- lington” at once. Vance appropriated an easy chair and took in the warmth and comfort of the room luxuriously. It reminded him of home. He arose | to inepect a little bijou of a water color on the wall. He strolled about | the apartment, taking in the richness and taste of the hangings. - He ran a | covetous eye over a-well-selected shelf of books. Then a drapery parted and an active, nervous lady of perhaps fitty faced him with keen eyes and a quizzical smile. “You came about the advertise- ment,” she spoke rapidly. “well, I think you will do.” “Why, madam—" began Vance, as- tonished at this speedy decision. “Oh, I have been watching you, and I am sure you will suit. You know how to walk and gesture, and I can see possibilities of expression in your eyes. I shall need your services from nine to twelve each day. The com- pensation will be fifty dollars a week.” Vance gave a gasp. “First, I will in- troduce you to my other ald, my adopted daughter. Rilla!” and she called loudly. the position,” DOES!SOM IE0 Y EL.SE WHO DOES NOT EARN 1T, WHO “FTT THT MO -EY YOU ENRN? DO YOU GET 1T, oq YOYR “EARNING POWER’ CANNOT LASTIALWAY:, WHRILE YOUARE MAKING MONEY BANK IT AND:BE FIXED FOR OLD AGE. Vance felt as though he had stum-| ¥ bled across some scene of enchant- ment. Fifty dollars a week! Three hours’ wori a day! one “Rilla!” And then “Rilla” came into the room. She seemed to bring ' with her the radiance of a rare beauty, an atmosphere of roses, smiles and kisses commingled. His senses dizzied as he looked upon this vision of love- liness. “You two are to be my special com- panions,” explained Mrs. Arlington, while Vance grew awkward and the young lady blushed, as they were in- troduced after Vance had murmured his name. “You see, Mr. Byford, I am an authoress. They call me of the impressionist type. I am well ground- ed as to theories and the plot quan- 1 first thought of employing an actor and an actress, but they would be ranters. Naturalness is what 1 want. For in. stance: I am now at the fourth chap- ter of a novel where the young broker finds himself ruined, comes to his room to be alone, and epends an un- happy hour deciding what he should do. You need not speak. Just move about and act out what you would do under those circumstances. You can be seated, Rilla. You are to appear later as his sister endeavoring to drive away the desperate thoughts § that come into his mind.” “Oh, excellent! excellent!” went on the speaker a few moments later, as Vance began his unique role. “‘He snatched close the draperies like a be- at last at bay.' A fine line! ‘He sat pondering deeply at his desk, anon casting a desolate glance at its rich surroundings, his no more’ I knew you would do. I am truly fortunate!" Within a few days Vance was en rapport with his peculiar position. Then the experience grew more inter- esting. Rilla had her part in thetpan. tomime of suggestion, alone and in conjunction with Vance. There were some vivid love ecenes to depict. They became all too real to Vance Byford. One evening he met his friend Mark, with whom he roomed, just outside the Arlington grounds. They halted near the vine-covered wall, little dreaming that Rilla on the other side | was an auditor. Then Vance told his troubles. He was going to give up his position. And wherefore? Rilla. Every time in thelr play acting when their hands met, Vance confessed to a fervent un- restrained impulse to clasp her in his arms and confess his undying love. It was the next morning when Vance and Rilla sat awaiting promptings as to some scene from Mrs, Arlington, Something new in the eyes of Rilla attracted Vance. His hand stole towards her own, her eyes met his, “Excellent! Maintain that, please,” spoke the authoress, her pen lrnvelln'g rllsslhdly. “Oh, indeed!” e sat up rigid, staring with - soring eyes at the twain. Their ::3 m‘de showed not acting, but real love. ‘I think that we will end your eerv- ices, Mr. Byford,” she said, feily, bot after he had gone gloomily from the :b:’:d. brokenly: Dlay acting, mamma—| lows .':’!hjm and I shall dle 1t he goes So, to “save the lite” ished darling, Mrs, Arl. = h:lu:?:: A fellow-worker, | * | JUST DO A LITTLE THINKING. REMK_WITH U \ WE PAY 5 PERICENT INTEREST ON TIME DEPOSITS, American \State Bank “BE AN AMERICAN ONE OF USs.” Now is the Time to Lay In a Supply &R 98 Ib. Sacks Best Plain Fiour 24 Ib. Sacks Bcst Plain Flour 12 1b. Sacks Bcst Plain Flour 98 Ib.: Srlf-Rising Flour $3.85 1.00 50c L. 6. TWEEDLLL PHONE 59 PO eOad A Load of Lumber Stands For Progress and Prosperity When you drive out towards home on load of lumber, i i s out t0 all who bekoilk the impression goes oul Such expression as- the who ish always never hurt a farmer or his farm. LOAD YOUR WAGON AT OUR YARD \—_ Lakeland Manufacturing Company LAKELAND, FLA. PHONE “Something doing ov ....farm,” “There’s 2 man busy”, or Building again, 400