Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-08-31

"A Brewster had new home.
In strict obedience to his
a n chiefs command, Hopper Har-
rison had leased until the Septem-
Der following one of the most expen-
sive apartments to be found in New
York city. The rental was $23, 600,
and the shrewd financial representa-
tive had saved $1,000 for his employer
by paying the sum In advance. But
when he reported this bit of economy
to Mr.. Brewster he was surprised that
1t brought forth frown. II never saw
man who had less sense about mon
ey,' muttered hopper to himself.
why. he spends it like a Chicago mil
ionaire trying to get into New York
society. If it were not for the rest of
us he'd be pauper in six months"
Paul Pettingill, to his own intense
surprise and, 1t must be said, con-
sternation, was engaged to redecorate
certain rooms according to a plan sug-
gested by the tenant The rising young
artist In a great furry Of excitement
agreed to do the work for $500 and
then blushed like schoolgirl when he
was informed by the practical Brew
ster that the paints and material for
one room alone would cost twice as
much.
Petty, you have no more idea of
business than goat" criticised Mont
gomery. And Paul lowered his head In
humble confession. THAT man who
calcimines your studio could figure on
a piece of work with more intelligence
than you reveal. I'll pay $500. It's
only fair price, and l can't afford
anything cheap In this place"
AT this rate you won't be able to
afford anything" said Pettingill to
himself.
And so 1t was that Pettingill and a
corps of decorators soon turned the
rooms into confusion Of scaffoldings
and paint buckets, out Of which In the
end emerged something very distfn-
guished. No one had ever thought
Pettingill deficient in ideas, and this
was his opportunity. The only draw
back was the time limit which Brew
ster so remorselessly fixed. Without
that he felt that he could have done
something splendid In the way Of dec
orative professionalism that would
make even the glory Of Puvis de Cha
vannes turn pallid. With 1t he was
obliged to curb his turbulent IDEAS,
and he decided that rich simplicity
was the proper note. The result was
gorgeous, but not too gorgeous-it had
depth and distinction.
Elated and eager, he assisted Brew
ster In selecting furniture and hang
ings for each room. but he did not
know that his employer was making
conditional purchases Of everything.
Mr.. Brewster had agreements with all
the dealers to the effect that they were
to buy everything back at a fair price
II he desired to give up his establish
ment within year. He adhered to this
rule In all cases that called for the
purchase outright Of substantial ne
cessities. The bump Of calcuIativeness
In Monty Brewster's head was growing
to abnormal proportions.
In retaining his rooms at Mrs. Gray's
he gave the fiimsy but pathetic sxoure
that he wanted q place in which he
might md occasional seasons Of peace
ana quiet When Mrs. Gray protested
against this useless bit Of sxtrava-
sance his grief was 20 obviously nan
uins that her heart was touched, and
marc was q deep. fervent Joy In har
ssul. She loved this fair faced boy.
and tears Of happiness came to her
eves when sha was given this new
proof Of his loyalty and devotion. His
rooms were kept for him just a. II he
had expected to occupy them every day
and every night. notwithstanding thu
luxurious apartments he was to main
tain elsewhere. The Oliver Optic
books still lay IN the attic. all tattsrsd'
and torn, but to Margaret he embodi-
ment Of prospective riches, promises Of
sweet hours to come. Hhe knew Mon
n well enough to feel thst he would
not forget the dark little attic or old