Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-02-09
One Advantage Of
a Red Head
Bv F. A mitchell
By F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.


/ II citation, 1911.
was born with a head Of fiery red
hair. As a kid l remember people
looking at it as they would at a burn
ing barn, making all kinds of illusions
to my hair and countless jokes, many
Of them very poor and in bad taste
and all obnoxious to me.
When l grew old enough to have q
sweetheart l was obliged to go with
out one all on account of the growth
on my head. l kept it cut very short
but without effect. Just as soon as
came in contact with man, woman or
child l saw at once that my hair was
against me. One thing I would not do
/ I refused all BARRIERS who suggested
my permitting them to dye it. On en-
/ tering their shops l would say, Hair
cut; no dye" Whenever, after this no
/ tice, barber offered to give my hair a
different color l glared at him and told
him that if he repeated the offer -
must fight. l thrashed so many people
/ for reference to my blemish that l be-
came an expert boxer.
Hoping that the people of the west
were more considerate than those of
the east, 1 went to Denver. The first
carrot top! Y goin' to set the timber
on the mountings afre| l had got
/ tired of thrashing people and turned
away without word l sought en-
ployment in a large manufacturing
concern. On entering the office my eyes
lighted on a gentleman sitting at q
desk who had red hair, for all the
world as red as mine. He looked up
and in an instant his gaze was fixed on
my top
He arose from his chair and, ad
vancing to the Office rail, grasped my
hand in a viselike grip.
"AIy dear sir" he said warmly and
with Il respectful mien l had never be
fore been favored with, what can
do for you?"
I'm seeking employment"
"You shall have it right here. What
can you do?"
"Nothng. l must learn. But Tn
willing to work without pay till l do
you'll not work without pay here
Judging from your appearance, you
are we'll bred and educated. A man OF
your condition can't get on with less
than a hundred dollars a month. II
give you that and put you in our best
department. Mr.. Stamper!" he called
An employee advanced, and 1 motto
ed he, too, had q red head. He was
instructed to put me to work and OF
the payroll at the same time. AS
passed through the works l noticed
every man had a red head, but none
so red as mine and the managers
Ours was the same hue exactly.
You'll be showed up ahead Of u:
all" said the man who had taken mt
in charge.
"Why sop I asked.
you're the only man here who has
as red hair as the president"
The words proved true. l was jump
ed from one grade to another so fas
that l barely had time to learn tn,
duties in each. And every time
jumped my salary jumped too.
This was not all. Mr.. Flynn, tn
president and principal owner, asked
me one day to come to his house t.
dinner. 1 went, of course, and wa
introduced to his family. Every on,
of his children had red hair of various
shades. His oldest daughter, Emily
had veritable Titan locks. For tn
first time in my life l felt easy il
social company. For the first time no
a person about me looked at my head
much less referred to it. Miss Emil.
Flynn was very gracious to me ant
was the first young woman who haC
ever thus treated me so. l was happ.
as a clam at high tide. After Dime
she led me into a separate parlor, ant
spent the hours there chatting witt
her. They were thus far the happies
hours of my life. l left her with ;
wildly beating heart.
To make a long story short, Mis-
Flynn encouraged me and encouraged
Miss Flynn. One day she told me
might go to her father and ask TO
her. l did so and was accepted for {
son-in-law with great gusto. "Go bacl
to EN-" he said, land tell her yol
have my hearty consent, and remain
to dinner"
I spent the afternoon with Emil.
and dined with the family. After din
ner Mr.. Flynn said to me:
you have shown wonderful re
straint in not asking why have wei
coined you into my business and int
my family. The time has come 70
me to enlighten you.
"Years ago l came to this countr,
from Ireland without a cent an,
worked at any job could get in
great city. One day 1 was arrested
, accused of stealing from a Jew. H
had told the police that red headet
Irishman had robbed him. was stooC
in line with several other men, ant
this Jew picked me out as the NAL
who had robbed him. l was tried, ant
the evidence was strong against me
was about to be convicted when
red headed man strolled in among tn
spectators. My attorney, following
suggestion given by the mans ret
hair, called for him and placed hin
beside me. Then he sent for the Jew
and when he came into court asked
/ him which of the two had robbed him