Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, July 11, 1921, Page 2

H, no, Jim's worrying didn't trouble me especially. I'd let i worry, and then I'd chieer Bim up. “Suppose butter had gonme down to twenty-nine cents,” I'é say, “eggx muy 5o up to fifty cents tomsor- row. Suifle, Jim, smile!” Now, the first time I talked ke that 1 supposud Jim would smile if only to please his bride, but there lie sat, stur- fng st hie butter check, glummer thun ever. But I soon found out he Nked thie nonsensical things I said, thoush fie never took the trouble to show it I never saw a Barder working mtan theg my Jim. He and Ned Blake Bbought two of the best furms in town beforelthey were 25 and started out to ses which could pay off the mortgage first. But somehow or other, as the years rolled on Ned kept $160 or so abead with his payments. It wes sort of exasperating, for Jim always bad his mind on the morigage, and lo hear Ned’s great rollicking laugh you'd think he never had a care in the world. I said Jimr was the hardest working man I kuew. I suppose MNed really worked a5 hard, thought he.never made so many motions doing it. Living with a worrying man grew to be as exciting as a ganf® I found so nany little ways of helping Jim. When a small bill came in that hie couldn’t pay just then I learned to lay it aside untfl I'd sold my eggs. Then, with his bill in one hand and my chbeck in the other, he couldw’t find much to say. But there were times when Jim got ahead of me. He saw the mail first the day he received the highest tax bill we ever had. That evening you'd have thought he was reading the obituaries of ail his relatives instead of the daily. “Jim,” says I, looking up from the lit- tle coat 1 was mending, “why don't you go to bed?” “I can’t go to sleep if T do,” groaned Jim. “We never cat pay those taxes without borrowing money.” “Well,” says I, “go to bed and per- haps you will dream of a good place to borrow some.” Pretty soon Jim threw down the paper for me to pick up and started off. Five minutes later T tip-toed into the bedrpom and there he was sleeping like a child. I sup- pose 'twasn’t much fun worrying with no one leoking on. I'd never seen Jim so lght-hearted as he was the year we had the banner apple crop. Next to Jobnnie and me, Jim loved his orchard, and the pride of his heart that year was the big Mackintosh red that stood by the road- side. I tried to make Jim plek off some of thé apples, but he said we needed all the money we could get and propped up the branches until the tree looked like a centipede. Try as I would I couldn’t get that tres off my mind one day when Jim went to town for grain. Half a dozen times during the forenoon I looked out to see if it was standing in the same place. For the sixth time I was tell- ing myself how foolish I was acting when I heard a noise at .the barn. “Whoa, Prancer, whoa!” Johnnie was calling excitedly, and then I knew that ‘he had forgotten again to shut the gate and was in for a good chase after his colt. Johnnie gave a wild halloo and stirted in pursuit. Prancer snatched off an apple and whirled around, kicked up his heels and made for the ' farther side of the fleld. Two of the props under the largest branch fell with a thud; there was a ‘creak and a groan and the branch lay upon the ground, the apples scattering far and wide. And in less than an hour Jim would be driving within a rod of that tree! The worst moment I ever speat was when I saw Jim drive over the hill. T felt as if I wanted to put my arms around him and comfort him as I used to my little boy when he was hurt. ‘When Jim saw what had happened he just leaned forward, staring his eyes out. Where Johnnie was I didn't know nor wished to know. I couldn’t stand it another minute and ran back to the kitchen to put the dinner on the table. Sooner than I expected Jim drove into the barn, and the next thing I knew he was hurrying up the bdack walk. I was so nervous by that time I had to run into the sitting room to colleet myself. Before I'd fairly closed the door I heard Jim's voice. “Well, Martha, had quite an accident, didn’t she? I sank into a chair and breathed hard for a minute. Jim spoke so cheerful I ' was sure he'd lost his reason. “Mar- tha, Martha!” it happen?” 1 found Jim at the table, dishing out be called again. “How'd & big helping of squash, and I told - him, “Well, it's too bad,” says Jim, with- out a quiver, “spoils the looks of the tree—killed it, mebbe—but there’s more coming on. Say, Martha, Ned paid off the last cent of his mortgage today, and he looks sick.” 2 “Sick!” was all I could say in a kind of whisper, but Jim didn't know whether I'd answered or not. “Ned drove home right ahead of me,” he went on, “and I noticed he didn't act natural—never turned ‘round to taik and joke, as usual, ad I thought may- be he was sick. When I couldn't stand it no longer I hollered and asked him what the matter was. Then he turned quick enough and talked right out.” “‘Jim, this is the most miserable day I've spent since I bought my farm,’ says he. ‘I told you down to the store that I'd paid off the mortgage, and I have. Jim, I've been the hap- plest man alive making a payment ev- ery year, keeping up the interest and supporting my family on what was left. It was just like a game and I'm plumb lost without it. Of course, I can spend more than I can make on farm machinery, but that ain't like a mort- sage to keep you hustling and happy.’ Then Ned clicked up his horses and never whistied once going up the long hill” o~ Jim took the last hot bdiscuit and passed the plate to me. I filled it and set it back on the table, but I couldn’t breathe a word. - Then Jim-looked into my eyes and sort of smiled. “Tell you what, Mar- tha,” he says. “We've only $150 left on our mortgage and we're not so ter- ribly old. Guess you'd better not wor- TY any more about that Macintosh red. Didn't happen to make apple dump- lings for dessert, did you?” e Behind All Around. Exaspersted Passenger. (after long delay at wayside station)—Why don't you keep better time on. this wretched line? Irish .Guard (confidentially)—Well, now, then, ma'am, Il explain it all te ve. The train before is behind, and his train was behind before besides. Pt T R T ey . TUncomfortably Warm, “It is sald that paper can be used effectively in keeping a person warm.” “That's true. I remember a thirty- day note of mine once kept me im a sweat for a month.” C. FLEMING & CO. have cut J the prices sgain.” ® What! Again?™ Jack Belew jumped out of his chair and took an angry tura through the office. “They must be mad!” “It's the new manager; he’s trying 2 new stunt.” “Darn fool that's what he is. Why, Joe, they'll bankrupt us if this Keeps 8p. We can’t sell at such prices.” “Guess that’'s what he’s after—to Bbave one competitor less,” grumted Joseph Gray gloomily. “Call Miss Small. I'm going to write themn another letter. This thing has got to stop. Why, man alive, they'll ruin thelr own business, too. Oh, Miss Small: Fleming & Co., city. Gentle- men—Referring to your recent reduc- tion in the prices of Japanese llies snd Holland tulips, we wish to say that you are deliberately ruining the entire bulb trade. There is absolutely no profit left if we are to compete with such price-cutting. Your new man- ager may bo an energetic, live wire man, but he haz no brains when it comes to the bulb business, ste. Three days later Joe came in. “Hear from Fleming & Co? I can't land ap order at our prices—every florist is or- dering from Fleming & Co.” He sank dejectedly into a chair. Jack’s face looked like a thunder- cloud. “Yes, I got an answer today. They wish to inform me that their new manager is contemplating another cut.” “I'd like to wring his necly,” was all Joe commented. “That's nothing to what I'd do to him. Look here,” pointing to a trade Journal, “here it says Fleming & Co.’s new manager is off for a vacation at the new Hot Springs Hotel and we— watching our business go to smash.” “Jack!” Joe’s voice foretald an in- spiration, “you've got to go to that Hot Springs hm‘gi and scrape an ac- quaintance with that fellow and talk to him. Now listen. We've finished ut-Price Proposal . trying to bulldoze him; we've got to use other tactics. First of all, apolo- gize for your letters. Have a heart- to-heart talk with him, persuade him, see? You simply got to, Jack; it's our only chance; and for heavens sake get another face! Nobody will speak to you if you look that sour.” Jack went very reluctantly, Joe in the city waited for reports, at first, very patiently, and then, as only pic- ture postcards came with “having fine time, best wishes, Jack,” he began to fidget. After two weeks of such correspon- dence Joe was as mad 2s a hornet. He had not sent his partner down to Hot Springs for his health, and he was go- ing after him and bring him back. Jack, beaming, was at the station to meet him. “Joe, old chap,” he said, and wrung his hand as though he had not seen hind in a year or more. “I'm bursting with news. I know I only wrote post- als, byt you'll forgive me when you hear all about it.” Joe pricked up his ears. “Joe,” his voice quivered, “I've met the most wonderful girl. Listen, I fell in love the first day I came here.. Joe, I did not know such a girl existed, the most wonderful—" “By golly, my patience is at an end! ‘What about our business—what did you come down here for, anyway—to fall in love?” Joe actually roared. “0, stop yelling, I didn't have time = wm m ot to find that manager, but see here, Joe, a fellow only falls in }ove once in a lifetime, and Daisy Ryers is the sweetest girl. O, well, if you won't listen, all right, then. Now that you're here you can look after that manager yourself. So long, see you at dinner.” ‘When Joe cooled oft he determined to find this Miss Byers and explain things. “Jack has confided in me,” began Joe, after a bit. “Yes,” interrupted Daisy “we’re engaged.” Joe was a little taken aback. “I must congratulate him,” he mur- mured. “You see,” bungled Joe, very much embarrassed, and really not knowing sweetly, how to tell her, “You see, Miss Ryers, I sent him down here to find Fleming & Co.'s manager and—" “0," imterrupted Dalsy joyously, “here comes Jack!” and ran a few steps to meet him. “I've been talking to your chum, Mr. Gray, Jack, and he’s just telling me that you came down here to find Fleming & Co.'s manager, and isn't it nice he found the manager, Mr. Gray?" “But he didn't,” sald Joe quickly. “0, yes he did,” contradicted pretty Daisy, smiling. “Only Jack doesn’t know it, either. I'm the manager of Fleming & Co.” Jack simply stared, dumfounded. But Joe burst out: “What? you a girl. By golly, we never thought of that!” “And as for all the silly price eut- ting, Jack and I will talk it over. I'm rather tired of managing, and mayde we might merge the two companies. ‘What do you think, Jack?” asked Daisy softly. “We never thought of that either,” mumbled Joe to himself as be disereet- ly left t.hm.uuc. . He Was Pushed to It. On January 3, 5, 6, 1920, I gave mo- tice to the public that I, Fred Traut, ‘would not be responsible for any debts contracted by my wife, Julia Traut, which was a mistake, as I was pushed to doing same. I am glad to say we are together again.—Fred Traut, That Strange Animal DOWN the country roed, as fast as the little fat legs could carry him, the yellow curls blowing’ in the Winter breeze, the blue’ syes saucer-size with mysterious knowledge, bounded little Tony. When he was within a few yards of a pretty white cottage, a tall, blue-gowned wo- man’ appeared at the door. “Why are you running this cold day?” dhe asked. Tony stopped, panting for breath, “Er—where’s Dick? he asked at last. Dick was his little chum next door. *1 should think you ought to know,” answered the woman. “I am going to bave company this afternoon, and I don't want you two to get into mis- chief,” she added; as she disappeared within, Just then an overalled boy came around the corner. Tony rushed to him, his forefinger on his lips. Then the two youngsters walked down the road together talking in low tones, “I' tell you what,” whispered Tony. “i¢ you could only get thet tall hat everything’d be great.” “But it might get hurt,” Dick. “Pooh!” was Tony's scornful reply. *“You can put it right back after—" “Oh, all right,” agreed Dick, after some more urging. “But I don’t want to lose my supper tonight. I saw Su- ventured INCOLN street!” called the con- I ductor, and Harvey Wilson, immersed in a mcrning paper editorial, had barely time to make a frantic gesture at the autocrat of the trolley car, to snatca up his bundle of laundry from the seat beside him, and 0 make a hasty exit, thus avoiding be- iag carried by his cormer. On Lincoln street was Hop Swmg's laundry, and Hop 8mg was the best and cheap- est laundryman Harvey knew. Step- ping into the laundry, he de- livered the bundle to the bland Hop 8tng, recefved his half of the ticket, sad hurried by a short cut to the main strest where his office was situated. The girls in the office were vastly tnterested in Harvey, but he did not return the compliment. Bomeway he didn’t seem to care for girls. A pity, since his income was as attractive as his looks, which is saying a good’ deal. sie making raspberry tarts this morn- ing.” “Humph,” grunted Tony, contemptu- ously. “You're meant for a girl, I guess. We won't lose our supper if we're careful—anyhow, we can eat more breakfast in the morning—" “Well, I'll get the hat,” interrupted Dick, as he turned in at the gate. An hour later a tall, blue-gowned woman was serving lemonade to the members of the Ladies’ Aid. “It was the strangest creature,” the demure lady was saying. “Oh, tell us about it,” smiled the fat lady with the pompadour. “Well,” continued the first speaker, “Hope read it in her new book. You see, she’s been interested in some new ‘ology’ and she's been reading all about it. This was a new animal just discovered in India. It was very in- teresting, with a high, fiat back,’a very tiny tail, end almost no perceptible head. It—" “Mercy!” cried the postmaster’s lit- tle wife in the bombazine dress, look- ing out the window., “What's that in the road?” All-eyes turned towards the road, and the strange animal was forgotten. “Why, Mrs. Dolan!" exclaimed the hostess, “It looks like a bundle some- one has dropped. And did that animal really have no head?” she asked, turn- ing to the demure lady. “Hope read three or four pages be- fore she found that the head was con- cealed under a—" “Heavens!” shrieked Mrs. Dolan. “That thing just jumped!” The demure lady was vexed at the second interruption. Everyone looked toward the road; there was surely a small, dark object in the middle of the road, but was too far away to be seen distinctly. In a moment it gave a slight jump. “What did I tell you?” gasped Mrs. Dolan. A few more gasps came from the group. The hostess rose and said she would investigate. join her, but being more timid than brave, settled back in their chairs as the tall, blue-gowned woman started toward the road. Mrs. Dolan still gazed at the road. Her eyes grew big with wonder. “Do you suppose—it had s high flat back and no perceptidble—" Once again the demure lady was the center of attention. “Why, perhaps—" began one shrill voice. “It has a high, tured another. By this time the ladles were so ex- cited they rose as one person to go down toward the road. Their hostess had almost reached the jumping ob- Ject. She had reached it! It jerked sideways—Mrs. Dolan caught her breath! Now the tall lady stooped and reached out her hand. “How does she dare to touch it,” ‘whispered one of the group. Then the tall lady grasped the ob- Ject, picked it up and held it aloft. flat back—" ven- rest of the group hurried to the road. There they saw the tall lady with a knowing look on her face holding a tall silk hat in her hand and looking down at a huge toad “Well, of all—" squealed a member of the Laidies' Ald. Behind the fence in the mext yard crouched Tony and Dick. “And those raspberry tarts will be all gone by tomorrow,” sighed Dick. “You were meant for a girl” sald Tony in a voice of contempt. —_— The Penalty. “How sbout that telephone gir! whe married for lovet™ “The line’s still busy.” “What do you mean?” “She’s doing the family washing.” —_— On Trial “The officer says you used bed las- guage.” “When he stopped me I was in 8 Several started to Mrs, Dolan sank to the ground; the tantrum.” “Never mind the make of the car.™ A few days later, he again bent his steps in the direction of Hop Sing's establishment, this time homeward bound after the day's work, to get the clean shirts and collars which should now be ready for him. The clerk smiled as he produced Harvey’s bundle. The smile broadened 28 he untied the bundle and unrolled to Harvey's astounded gaze, a black “Dinah” rag doll, a “Kewpie” in a most insufficient sash, two teddy bears in indifferent repair, a train of cars, and a miscellangous assortment of what he would have termed “doill duds!” ““Why,” exploded Harvey. “I never brought that junk here! Where'd I get a bundle of rag dolls and teddy bears? ‘What've you done with my shirts and collars?” “That's your bundle” returned the clerk. “Look at the ticket.” M, said Helen, a four months’ bride, “Evelyn’s had another quarrel with Phil and gone to her mother’s for a while. I'm glad we mever quarrel, but then, we understand mach other.” But little she thought of e coming disaster. “They're nothing but foolish chil- @ren anyway,” sald Tom, as he rose Prom his chalr, “Come, we've just Ume to get to the theater,” and the tonversation of their friends’ quarrel was dropped. The next day, as Tom came in for hfs noon-day meal, he found Helen Harvey looked. Apparently the facts were as stated. But where and how had he annexed that bundle? And where ‘were his shirts? Haryey left the laundry in a state of perspiration which seriously threat- ¢ned to add another collar to his laun- dry. Plainly, he must have exchanged his laundry bundle with somebody on the car, when he made his hasty exit. He vaguely recalled a young woman tak- ing a seat mext him, as the car filled, and putting down a bundle between them. He wished she had her old bundle! Hop Sing wouldn't keep it, and he meant to chuck it into the first dump-barrel he passed! In the trolley, homeward bound, ha opened his paper, glanced over the ads. to see how the one he had just inserted for an office boy looked, and stumbled upon this {tem, under “Information.” “WILL THE GENTLEMAN who ac- cidentally exchanged a bundle of lann- dry, for a package of toys, last Tues- day a. m. on the 8:30 Forest avenue car call at No. 12 Bronson street, city, to make exchange? “B. J. SEWALL." Would he? He quickiy secured a tragsfer which landed him at the end of Bronson street and presemtly was confronting the prettiest girl he had ever seen, who had answered his ring at No. 12. “I called,” he bhegan awkwardly “about those rag dolls—" “Oh, yes!” cried the girl. “Come right in. I know you'll be as glad to get your laundry as my little nephews and nieces will to get the toys their cousins sent them, and which you now have.” She was bringing out the other bun- dle as she spoke, and Harvey was not- ing how womanly and sweet she was, as well as pretty, and what a nice homey place No. 12 was. “I—I feel as if T owed them some- thing for disappointing them so0,” he said. “Couldn’t I bring them over some—some candy next Sunday, to make up?™ “Oh, that would be lovely!” cried the girl. “They live at No. 44 Hope street—" “Well—you see—I—I thought—I might—bring it here—" he stam- mered. “My name i{s Harvey Wilson, . “I've kmown you by sight for some time, Mr. Wilson,” sald the girl, “but not your name. My cousin has just gone to work in your office, I belisve. My name is Betty Sewall. The, chii- dren—sometimes visit here Sunday.” “I'll bring the candy, then!” vowed Harvey. AN e Gl 4 il S The jury composed entirely of wom- en had been brought back into the courtroom after 10 hours’ deliberation. “And does the jury want imstrue- tion from me?" asked the Judge solemnly. “No, your honor. What we want is @ pack of cards suitable for u game of bridge,” replied the forewoman. The Quai'rél reading a letter. “Oh, Tom, dear, I've Just had a letter from Jerry, and I'm going to write immediately back and have that dear child make us a visit.” But before Tom could ask who Jerry ‘was, his wife changed the subject to a delicious dish she had prepared for her Tom'’s dinner. If Tom had any mis- givings about Helen and Jerry, they ‘were soon forgotten when he found a wholesome dinner on the table, with its new linen and shining silver. ‘The thought of Jerry was dismissed from Tom's mind until two weeks lat- er, when be let himself in by his latch key, not getting any response from his four short rings, and found on the ta- ble a note. It read: “Have gome 1o meet Jerry. Will be back in time for tea. Dinner is on the table for you. Helen.” Beside the note was a letter, evi- dently forgotten by his wife. Would Tom dare to read it? Why not? Didn’t Helen let him read all her letters? It only gald that “Jerry was coming and for Helen to be walting at the station.” It was signed. “Your Dearest Jerry.” Tom’s dinner ‘was forgotten. = The small questions illumined before his mind like a mountain. Who .was Jerry? Did Helen love him? Where wouid they spend the afternoon? Tom had se- cured a half holiday as a surprise for Helen. No matter, he would take his planned-for trip alone. He left 2 note on the table for his wife, took his line and hook and start- ed for the whart. Just before tea Helen arrived home alone, as Jerry had been invited out for the evening ‘would be back later. But it was for Tom to be home. Where was he? Helen found the note and hastily scanned its com-: tents. “Will be back tonight. Have taken Elsie and gone fishing,” it read. “Blsie! Who was she? Why, how could Tom do such a thing? Gone on a fishing trip with & girl she had nev- er heard of. Scandalous! “What would Jerry think? And only this afternoon I was telling how well we get along. ‘Well, 1 only hope he gets home before Jerry.” All this went through Helen’s mind as she sat out the long evening ‘walting for Tom. . Ten o'clock came and with it tears, but no Tom. Half past ten, and then & key was heard in the door. Tom found Helen on the couch with swollen eyes. ““Well, dear,” said Tom, with a light voice and a heavy heart. “Where's Jer- ry, or whatever his name is?" ~His? Why, Tom, you know Jerry Page. However did you misunderstand ke that?” Then the light droke before Tom's mind as Geraldine Page's face stood out among the rest of the college class that Helen and he were in. “Well, dear, T certainly was fooled; I hag for- goten all about poor Jerry; but, then, I might have known that you—and, Helen you've been crying,” as he no- ticed her wet face for the first time. You said a trr-i-p—Elsie,” burst out Helen afresh. “Wéll, dear, that’s a case of forget- fulness on each side,” said Tom, as he understood the situation at once. “Have you forgotten that Elsie is the name of Phil's motor boat? Come now, dry those tears before Jerry comes, for she’ll soon be here, and she musta't know,” after hearing about Helen'w talk with her college friend. “No,” softly came from the veoles hidden in Tom's coat, “Jerry must aev- er know.” — e LT All Over. Hearing s crash of glassware one morning, Mrs. Blank called to her maid in the adjoining room, “Norah, what on earth are you doing?” “I'm doin’ nothin’, mum,” replied Norah; “it's done.” Radealiiie * i Love Tokeas. “‘Say it with flowers.’” “Well " “A pretty thought, is it not?"” “Very, But after the honeymoen s over the sensible young man will say it with groceries.” ’