The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-11-22


! to all the girls the same as to me-"
Il know, Sue. But he's beginning
to talk like he owned you. don't like
(! it." - ,.- ~.
And updike wondered that Susie
quit buying tri1es at the store and he
became quite enraged when she asked
him, kindly, to send her no more gifts.
THE drug store is for sale, Sue" "
Dan was saying one night few weeks
later. Il heard the man from Hot
Springs telling Hal To look out for 6
purchaser. Seems It hasn't been max
ing money, or they don't want to be
bothered with it. Too bad, isn't it.
Hal will lose his job"
why don't you buy it, DanEy?"
1t was a bold idea and they looked
at each other silently in the neon
light. But he went to Hot Springs
next Cay with all his money and G
little that she had been saving since
she could remember, ard-he bought
the Racket drug store. But when he
came back to Susie with his bill OF
sale and the list Of notes that he had
agreed to pay, he was worried.
'Whatll do with Hail. 9ue?"
Let him run it for you. You can
go to Chicago and study pharmacy
on the profits. I'm sure he woa't
mind working for you, Dan"
1t was quite blow to Mr.. Updike,
but he swallowed his chagrin and the
matter was fixed. Dan went to the
city and in year, when he came back
with his diploma. Hal greeted him with
q stern smile and said:
"The jig is up. Dan. They're going
to sell us out"
And so 1t was. Susie wept and Dan
grieved, but neither of them knew
what to say when Harold Updike
bought the place. Where did he get
the money? His father. who kept the
dairy was poor. Susie supposed it
was all right, but why had he been
SO quiet, so sneaking about 1t.
I'm going to ask him for q job"
said Dan, sullenly, Il gave him one
and he ought to do as we'll by me-"
And Harold's small soul swellcd
with pride when he saw Dan behind
the counter pounding away with pes
tie. or SOLDERING among the sirups.
His eyes gloated over the new sign
Harold ITpdike, Pharmacist" which
cleaned above the entrance. He
bought "stepper" and got sporty"
Sometimes he even cursed his clerk.
He borrowed money from Tom Kelly.
who kept the saloon, and the business
went on. For while it seemed that
the place was small mint, but at last
the statesmen quit coming. Duns be-
came frequent, the bank grew
"grouchy" and, finally. small, fat
man in brown suit, came up again
from Hot Springs. ito take charge"
Il don't see how 1t failed" grow!ed
Hal as he and Dan sat in the disor-
dercd store at midnight after the in
ventOry was made and the dreary
work was done.
81 don't see how it failed when I
owned it," said Dan.
They were quite silent for minute.
What are you gcing to Go, Up
dikc?"
"Nnat are you going to do?"
"Oh, I'm going to buy the store back
again" said Dan, laughing.
''ycu? Where did you got the
money!"
"Susic's dad. Hail." answered After.
bury, we're going to be married"
There was tap at the window and
a merry voice called, Are you there
yet, Danny" But Updike laid his
hand on Dams arm as he started for
the door and said, viii you give me
back my old Job. DAM"
"N-no, Updike. Not this time. l
think I'll run it myself"
And afterward, as he walked home
with Susie and her father, he said,
well, my conscience is easy, anyway.
Turn about is fair play."-John H. RAT
terry in the Chicago Record d-Herald.