The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-09-14
Ten Minutes
WITH THE
Short-Story
Writers
coMpANloNsHlP
COMPREHENSIVE
tBy Roscoe Gilman stotU

ibN hOSCue Oliiudn ntultl
To be on the level with you, friend,
| didn't marry exactly for love, Ma
mics old man owned barber shop
sort of q lwo-by.twice affair-out on
Stony Island avenue. There was two
chairs in the shop, and barbered At
the back chair al an even nine per.
When he got laid up. with his civil
war leg, took the shop off his hands,
paying him $3 a week for IT, Mamie
and was friends all the time. She
was as nice looking as the usual run,
and before long we got married,
dare to say that our case don't seeih
in no way out OF date
But my story Is mostly about Dick
White, / took Dick In at my old chair,
particular for the Saturday rush. he
wasn't nothing unusual but be was q
steady worker, aud kept sober.
never expected Dick to draw
trade because of his good looks. He
was tan and shambly, llght.haircd
and blue-cyed. aud when he grlnneo
he showed two full sets OF tobacco
chewing teeth He wore low, colored
collars, and never gave up tan shoes
even for an alderman's funeral. But
outside of looks, | can't say anything
against Dick, and wouldn't II
could
Il feel most lost OF Sundays, he
used to say to ME. my folks being SC
far of, and me not being chumml
with none of the boys. And fellel
i like me just naturally needs com
lnanlonship."
Don't you like to read, Dick?'
asked him one night after work.
Read your grandmother He lean
ed his head far back on his hands
l"Why, Sam, you can't talk to no news
paper. want talk, and OCCASIONAL.
smile. II It comes free gratis. In
the kind that ought to have a home
but live never yet seen the girl
nor the cart wheels to fix 1t up.
I'm not much on feeling, as Mani
will tell YOU, but ] asked Dick owe
for Sunday dinner the very mex
week. And hov ne did beam. cal
see him row, sitting by the fron
window talking 10 Mamie. He mad
Sunny Jim look exactly like 80 cents
That sunday had my scent paper
as usual, but Mamie somehow foun
time TO get mighty good dinner an
entertain Dick. too. She seemed hal
py at her job and | like my papel
Sundays
Well. it just got to be habit
that's ALL Mamie would tell me I
ask Dick over Sunday and every tim
he was Jodnny on the spot. Tn
Sundays didn't differ much, either.
read my sporting sheet, while Ma
mie showed Dick her new colore
postcards or some fancy work, TO
she was always working on such stu
Dick would sit and grin, and the II
terest he took in fancy work woul
surely have done credit to woman
Sc wing circle Actually. he appeare
to know pile about muslins an
laces, and that pleased Mamie sur
enough. know how TO hone a razo
with the next one. but ! never wa
very strong on women's trinkery.
j never noticed things much. Die
said Mamie waD looking so inuc
brighter than she did the Stnda
morning he first came over. bI
iieyc now. did sort of realize
change for the better. but, If die
never figured out a good reason.
Before so very long Mamie forme
a new habit of coming down TO tn
shop generally about closing hours
Both OF us told her not to, but sh
tired OF being home there alone. an
our arguments went too the bad !
la hurry when she smiled at us. Sh
used to ask Dick to walk up to tn
house with us. and he never hesitate
to accept ! didn't mind. Fact is,
admired Mamie for being hospitabl'
would never have thought of il, bu
II was glad she did Sometimes h
would come In for the evening an
some of the winter nights he stage
in our little spare room.
One nignt Mamie surprised me. TT
three Of us were slowly making ou
way to the cottage.
Say, Sam, | want to ask a fave
of both of you BARRIERS, ! know you
let me, but maybe Dick won't war
to"
She laughed merrlly, and we bot
urged her TO tell all about It. bl
she hung back until we reached hom
both OF US banging her to tell.
It's the ball Tuesday night at tn
German Hall, Sam. She stopped an
waited for some ordinations: bt
none coming she went on. You kno
the Bakers Union give II. ! want
Igo.
laughed outright. though oil
Dick was solemn as a Judge
Honestly, Sam she said, with
lower tone. Il used to go to EN- al
and haven't had look at wake
floor for two years. There'll be
swell crowd, and"
But. Mamie" | began YOU kno
II don'i dance. Fact Is. haven't x
going on five years wouldn't Sal