Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-12-23
10 Observation-Disclosures


himself at Bob Scatterly's feet, and al
lowed the latter to trample upon him.
which he, Scatterly, did without the
slightest conjunction.
They were both young men, Simpson
being the elder by couple or years.
and they both worked in the big drap-
ery establishment of Messrs. Trickett
& Chiffon. Simpson was weak-kneed,
understood little fellow, with light
hair. no eyebrows to speak of and a
nervous manner. His hero was or
very different type. He was sturdy
and thick-set, and impudence lurked
in the corners of his little blue eyes.
In his own estimation he was "a
deuced smart fellow, dontcherknow;
alp to snuff and pinch or two over,
etc.
Little Simpson had that admiration
for him which junior often has 1or
The captain of his school, and he con-
stituted himself his flag MS
errands, posted his letters and lent
him money. They spent their holidays
together, appearing for a week at the
seaside in yachting caps and peaJack-
cts. No one, however, mistook them
for sailors. On Sundays, they walked
In the park, smoked cigarettes ana
passed remarks on the girls.
Now, had anyone told Tommy that
the day would dawn when he and BOD
would pass each other in the street
without so much as nod, he would
have secuted the idea with scorn.
Yet so it came to pass.
The cause, of course, was girl. Her
name was Sally-Sally Lowe-and she
was employed in the millinery depart
ment. She was an attractive damsel-
a blonde, small and graceful, with a
creamy complexion, a waspish waist
and a fondness for flirting.
All the. young men at Trickett d
Chiffon's became her slave, and riskcd
their situations in reckless fashion by
attempting to exchange sentimental
nothings with her during business
hours. When old Trickett reproved
her for carelessness they shook thei:
fists at his broad back and said 1t was
a shame.
Like their fellows, the two friends
fell victims to the little milliner
charms. Tommy's passion was a Sec
ret one. He would, indeed, have liked
to confide with his friend. but he was
afraid the latter might treat his con-
fession with ridicule; again, his pas
sion was quite hopeless. Sally laughed
quite openly at him.
On the other hand she smiled grac-
lousy upon Bob, who wooel her Will
a boldness that soon won her fick.e
heart.
In a word, they became engaged.
"Shes a nice little thing, is Sally,
he observed condescendingly, when he
communicated the intelligence to hi:
henchman; cts pity she hasn't bi'
of money. I'd always made up my
mind to marry girl with money.
'HHer face is her fortune, Bob" the
miserable Mr.. Simpson murmuret
sentimentally.
"Ye-es; but her face won't stock III
a shop in the High street. I'm a go
ahead chap, Tommy, and If I'd only
bit of tin I'd leave old Tricketts to-
morrow and start on my own"
His friend was silent. He, too, hat
had these dreams; he, too, had though
of little shop, with Sally and himsel
snugly ensconced therein.
One Sunday evening, when Tomm!
was turning out for his now lionel!
stroll, an arm was thrust familiarl!
through his.
i. That arm belonged to Mr.. Scatterly
"Tm off duty for an hour or two" h
explained, in answer to his friend
look of inquiry. "Sally's gone u
church with her married sister. In
calling for her later. Come along 70
walk in the park; l want to have
bit of talk with YOU"
Ten minutes later they were sitting
on bench by the miniature lake
watching the children feed the swans
Mr.. Scatterly pushed his hat from hi
brow, toyed with his cigarette, and du
little holes in the gravel with his ma
lacca.
His companion saw that somethin
was troubling him.
Nothing wrong, is there, Bobby, oil
mani" he said at length.
"Why, no-not exactly what 20
might call wrong" Mr.. Scatterly re
piled slowly; "but the fact is, Tomm!
old pal, I'm in bit of fix"
Mr.. Simpson sucked the head of HI
stick. His hero had often been in
"bit of a fix" before, and they genel
ally came rather expensive to Tommy
"It's about Sally" his friend wer
on. "You see my people are alway
telling me I'm throwing myself ava
She's a nice girl--a very nice girl, b'
she amt exactly in or walk OF lii
and her people-well, we've had the
to tea, and their manners are awful!
zone can't have everything" M
Simpson remarked, relieved to fir
that no call was to be made on his slel
der purse; land I'm sure sally
''Oh, Sally's all right! Shed pass
a lady anywhere. There's only OF
thing she's short Of, and that is b
of cash. AS I've said before, I'd a
ways made up my mind to mar
money until I met her. I'm pra
tical sort OF chap. There's no bloor
ing sentiment about me. ! like 81
with expectations, or a snug little 10
tune In railways or gasworks. Beau
amt everything. I'm just beginniI
to find 1t out"
.You--you don't mean to say you
thinking of breaking with Sal--wi
Miss Lower Mr.. Simpson asked, In