The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-12-18
Observation-Disclosures,
As Years fit BIZ
N SKETCH or MIDDLE LIFE
i,sSaS.s,saSg.,s,.,sts,as


ting along in years.
Wallick laughed. Speak for your
self my boy / IN as young as | ever
was"
Then he proceeded 10 order a dys-
pepsia-breeding repast and thought no
more of the accusation until, looking
across the table at his old friend, he
noticed for the first time the wrinkles
that scanned his face and the thin,
gray wisps OF hair brushed across the
shining surface Of his scalp. II came
TO him with something Of a shock mat
Griffin really did look old.
"Prematurely, Of course" thought
Wallick He really isn't old-not
much older than | am"
Wallick dismissed the thought.
Somehow II gave him vaguely I'M
comfortable feeling.
1t REQUIRED TO him as he was shaw
ing the next morning. lie caught him
self looking for wrinkles and he
found them. But they were very
slight after all-mere character marks
Come to think Of it, he always did
have a few such lines there under ms
eyes.
"Pooh," he laughed A few min
utes later he was splashing IN his
cold tub with robust enjoyment. Com
pleting his toilet, he selected a bright
red necktie and arranged ii with per
| haps a little more than usual care.
! Then he ran downstairs 10 his break
fast with a consciously light step.
His plump and comely wife was
awaiting him at the breakfast table.
How fresh and bright you look
this morning. dear" she remarked TO
him. admiringly.
We'll, but don't | always look fresh
and bright I'd like to know? asked
Wallick, as he kissed her.
"Of course you do" replied the
wife, dutifully And you're wearing
a red necktie'
why not?" asked Wallick, little
suspiciously.
Il think it's becoming" his wife
fastened to assure him.
Where's Susieg" asked Wallick, as
he attacked his toast and bacon.
Poor child. she isn't up yet re-
Piled Mrs. Wallick. Il expect she was
tired out when she got home from
Mary's last night"
Mary shouldn't have let her stay
so late" said Wallick. We'll please
tell her that daddy thought she was
bad little girl
Wallick waved his hand TO his wife
as he left the house, but instead oil
going through the garden gate ne
walked along the aster bed till he
found a flower that he liked TO put
In his buttonhole Then he turned
and. putting one hand on top OF the
fence, yaulted it.
For one sickening moment he feared
that his feet were not going TO swinl
clear, but they did, though 1t was bu'
by scant half inch.
"A little out OF form" muttere6
Walnck Il don't take enough exer
else. that's the trouble with me.
must practice a little and get myself
into shape. I'll bet a dollar that In
side OF a week l could clear tina
fence without putting a finger on It,.
TT isn't everybody could get owe
II without climbing" he mental.
added as he considered the matter
Then he threw his shoulders back am
, his chest out and went along the side
walk at a brisk, swinging gait.
Once or twice he forgot himsel
and allowed his pectoral muscles Z
relax little and his pace slackened
but he came up to the pl9uVii al OF IN
station in fine style.
Among the people who waited 10
the train was little Miss Crewson. Mis-
Crewson was a mighty nice lookln
/. girl. She bowed to Wallick an
smiled very sweetly indeed and It wa
, good to behold the bow and smil
that Wallick gave her in return.
| A very elegant bow it was! a yer
fascinating smile! A neighbor poke
+, him in the ribs.
: Here. here, you sinner" said IN
neighbor; this won't do at all. Don
: you know you're married man.
Wallick twisted his moustache an
: there was a grateful glow in his DO
ON. well. what II ann" he d.
: manded. II guess there's no harm
r looking at a pretty girl-whatg
Still, 1t was strange how that foo
ish remark of Grifins kept forcin
itself on Wallicks' mind through III
4 morning. Such a stupid thing TO say
q WHY had he. Wallick, been taken int
the firm. for instance? Wallick r
|. membered what old Johnson had sal
nerfectly. 1--WE want young blood
the concern. Mr.. Wallick" The:
were his very words. Young blood
OF course that was some years az
but not so many, by Georgel
AS Wallick was returning fro
luncheon ford, white haired veterf
? OF the street clapped him on the bac
= "Well. young man. how's tricks?' !
ouired the venerable person
WaIlick turned and shook han
with him cordially. though he was n
= fond of him. Then he went back
his work feeling much better. ono
however, he stopped to reflect that
was strong. vigorous, active, straig
except that so much desk work W
giving him n tendency to stoop a I
ae-that bodily and mentally he W
never better and that a man was
old as he felt and no older. Then
really and truly forgot Griffin. forg
everything, in fact, but his work.
"Where's Susie7" asked WalliC
some time after dinner
aer,ass In the narlOr with Dick"