The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-08-08

tic.
Have some popcorn" urged my
old schoolmate as he thrust a bag
at me beneath the flaring jets.
Thanking him, l took the bag and
Showed it into my side pocket.
Then / handed him a choice cigar
and began to ask questions.
There have been many changes
hereabouts since we went to school
John. How are the brothers and
sisters?"
"All doing finep replied the
popcorn man, as he poured some
hot butter over the white corn.
"All doing fine. Ed is a preacher
over in the adjoining town, and is
known all through his section as a
lrevivalist. What he don't know
about books amt worth mention
ing. He wrote a religious novel
lately that took pretty we'll. Bill
teaches philosophy in the state uni
versity; gives lectures, and con-
tributes to big journals. George is
quite an inventor. He has thought
out several patents and expects to
realize big things. Jim, you know,
is a lawyer. He came very near
being prosecuting attorney, and
they are now talking of running
him for the legislature. Kate
teaches Latin in the high school.
Julia married an artist who they
say has bright future, and Jane
is the wife of a doctor with a big
drive in the adjoining county"
We'll, JOHN" l ventured after
some reflection. 81 should think
with all the rest forging ahead that
they could get you in somewhere.
You are too easily satisfied. You
could do better than run a pop
corn stand"
mo, this is good enough for me.
Besides, some people are cut out
for failures" replied John, as he
began to break a chunk of taffy.
Il never took to books and al
ways had to do simple stunts. Il
could never succeed like the rest.
1t might have been worse though.
| amt Jared so bar-always mad
enough to eat and a place to sleep
and kept fat" Then John looked
me over inquiringly and asked.
How has the world treated your"
told him of my job travelling
for a large firm with a salary of
three thousand a year and ex-
penses. Then, not wishing to en-
barass John any further, 1 saun-
tered along and made my way to
the hotel.
The next morning when I step
ped up to the desk to pay my bill,
the clerk smiled and informed me
that no charge would be consid-
cred, and that the matter was all
settled.
and by whom exclaimed.
ooh, John Kilby came over after
you had retired and said that there
should be no charge in your case.
John is quite man up here you
know. He doesn't put ON any airs,
though. You see that $40, 900 man.
sion across the square where the
old homestead stood? John owns
that. Then he owns the chair fac
tory and the macaroni works. He
comes up from the city every Sat
urday afternoon and remains over
Sunday and takes his old mother
out for an auto ride"
well" I exclaimed, 81 saw him
in the popcorn booth last night
and thought he ran it."
SO he does" was the reply,
and several Others. He was 1i.st
tending the place while his assist
ant was on an errand, / guess.
John began with a stand down in
the city. Then he lined up several,
and finally got control of the pop
corn, peanut and ice cream bust
ness of the city. There is no tell
ing what he is worth, and While he
sometimes talks single tax, l hear
he buys up vacant property and
turns it over at a profit. He owns
l-this hotel. eThaps you didn't
know that?"
NO" replied, II didn't" Then
1 caught sight of the early sub
urban car rounding the square, and
after telling the clerk to thank
John for me. / boarded 1t at the
nearest crossing.