Amador ledger., 1904-12-23

"They are FOOLS, she asserted, Ito
interfere in your business, and you
must excuse me If l say you are a fool
if you let them influence you"
II claim you are right, madam, and
] have today taken the necessary steps
toward opening place of business"
"What business is it?''
Il intend to be a chiropodist."
She turned a keen glance of suspi-
cion upon him, but he continued calm
":
"N1y uncle in his early days was
chiropodist, but of course in his day
it was different and not looked upon
as it is now-as a branch of surgery
that requires skill. You see, Mabers
family is a little old fashioned and
conventional and don't realize how
things are changing and that no busi-
ness is looked upon slightingly now
adays.'
Yes. it is nothing to be ashamed
Of" she said, bristling "Still, there
are other things in which you could
make more money"
Its very lucrative profession" he
argued.
"Why, we never found-I mean
never heard of it's being a money max
ing business"
81 had occasion recently to have
abe shyed at the word and then
bravely forged ahead-"corn removed
l stepped into an artistic little wait
ing room and made my wants known
to an attendant. Then 1 was ushered
into an operating room. A trim lit
tie maid came and removed my shoe
and SOCK In came the chiropodist,
who made bow, drew forth an in
strument with a flourish, shaved off
my corn and vanished in a moment
Then the maid put on my shoe and
sock, and 1 went into the Office, where
l paid So"
1.-TWO dollarsp gasped Aunt Maria.
"Why, we never-paid so much to
have one removed in my day"
"a bunion is S." resumed Billy,
en- to have their toes manicured, and
that's dollar"
Aunt Maria was lost in her thoughts
for few moments. Then she said:
at must be profitable. STILL if Mabel
is sensitive about it I'd try something
else"
mabel isn't so opposed to it as
the Others" he replied.
Eyes, she is. She is afraid of hurt
ing your feelings by saying much
against 1t. I'd try something else.'
But, you see, everything else re-
quires so much capital"
"Fll tell you what I'll do" she said
after another silence. "Do you mind
going into business in Texas?'
mo, except I'd hate to leave Ma
bel'
''Take her with you"
Couldn't afford it until l got estab-
lished"
81 have Oil wells in Texas, and my
manager is going to leave. One of my
objects in coming here was to find a
smart young man. If you will take the
place and promise never to be that 9TH
er thing I'll pay you $4,000 year."
"Agreedp' he cried "But it's awful
ly kind of you"
81 am not doing 1t because l am
fond of you, young man, but Mabel is
my favorite niece, and l can see she
is bound to have you If she has to
oppose the whole family, and I-well,
don't wish her to marry a chiropodist.
1 know just how she feels. There is
something 1 want to ask you. Why
did you leave her so abruptly last
night? Did you take dislike to me?"
Billy's brain had certainly become
fertile
ooh, no, ma'am, but ever since l
have expressed a desire to adopt the
profession 1 told you any word per-
tanning to anything that would remind
them of the subject has been prohibit
ed by Mabers family, and as soon as
1 asked you innocently, with no idea
Of such an Interpretation being put
! upon 1t, If you had read Bunyan's
Pilgrims Progress l knew by the at
mosphere had put my foot in it, and l
couldn't stay longer and stand up
against the black looks ] was getting"
'That was far fetched in them," she
said in disgust, "as if any one had
got to weigh every word they speak
beforehand"
Mabel's eyes shone with delight when
she saw Billy and Aunt Maria come in
together and heard the proposition, but
her family thought he had used un-
derhand means to scheme for Aunt
Maria's fortune.
Billy" asked Mabel when they were
alone, chow in the world did you man
age2 What did you say to Aunt Maria
to get in her good gracesT'
Mabel" he answered solemnly, 81
talked of corns all the way to the
house"