The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-08-31
T. TED'S :
ORDEAL

Silently the committee followed
the fifth house from the corner they
solemnly paused. Ted gave one ap-
pealing look and mounted the steps.
There was such a prompt response to
his ring that they almost seemed to
have been waiting for him.
Ted waited miserably in the recep-
ton room while the butler went to ? 4
nounce his important business. He
rather envied little Silbon who was
getting of light What was simulat-
ing an epileptic fit in a crowded dry
goods store to trying to sell the most
luxurious liver in town a copy of The
Simple Life?"
The committee on initiation had
been most ingenious this year. The
tasks they allotted the candidates
were positively fiendish but to order
him to seek to sell copy of that book
to Chester Alderman seemed to in
vite him to self-destruction.
Nervously he followed the butler
down the long hall and into the H.
brary. Alderman looked up at his
entrance.
What can do for your" he asked
sharply.
Il have book" explain ed Ted. TITS
very celebrated book and l thought
you might like to buy a copy"
"A book agent!" Numbered Acker-
man. as he reached for the bell.
See here" pleaded Ted. "Give me
q chance. Here is book that every
ones been talking about"
Don't want It," snapped Acker-
man.
Have a look, anyway" insisted
Ted It's The Simple Life; the book
that the president thought was such
hot stuff. I'll bet you've never read
1t and yet it's been talked about for
the last two years. You never did
read 1t, did your"
mo. And I'm not going to now" do
cIared Alderman. IF l thought you
meant that.I needed to read that"
You do need to-" reit Grated Ted.
mot the way you mean, but because a
man needs to keep posted. BY your
own admission, you're two years
behind. You can have q laugh, any
way"
He held the book invit:ngly toward
his victim and almost unconsciously
Alderman took it. He glanced over
the pages with an occasional grunt.
He was by no means an exponent of
the simple life, and he found much to
deride.
Didn't tell you 1t was good for a
laugh?" insisted Ted. Alderman look
ed up with smile.
How much is it," he demanded.
you can satisfy your pride with the
knowledge that you're the first book
agent that ever sold me anything.
In that case make 1t a dollar" sug-
gested Ted. Thanks. Good morning
l can find my own way out"
he was gone before Alderman could
ring, elated over his success and de-
voutly thankful that he had not been
thrown out He was just opening the
front door when a girl came running
down the stairs.
Mr.. Hammond" she cried. Ted
turned.
Miss Drury!" he gasped. What
brings you here?"
Mr.. Alderman is my guardian" she
explained. Il thought that per-
haps-" She caught herself with q
blush
NO." said Ted. THAT was not it.
You>and your party left the Point 20
suddenly that could get no trace of
you. The fact is that was in selling
Mr.. Alderman book"
You are a book agent?" she cried
in shocked surprise.
Amateur" he explained. "Thev
want to make me feel properly hum.
BILE before they admit me to fellowship
In the fraternity. had to sell q COPY
of The Simple Life.'''
ITO Uncle CHESTER" she cried
How did you ever do it?''
Il don't know myself" he admitted
frankly. There are three of the COM
mite outside now waiting to see me
thrown down the steps. did not ex-
pect to disappoint them"
Il could call the butler" she sux-
gested.
mo. thanks. II you will permit mo
I'll take another chance with your
uncle"
Howl" she asked, curiously.
You know what / was trying to
ask you last summer" he said bold
ly. you left before could propose.
was. and am. conceited enough to
think that you do care for me. May
60 In and ask his consent to our mar
riage when graduate!"
This 10 30 sudden" she protested
Not . BIT of It, I've been seven
months getting 1t out. l think you've
had notice enough"
His eyes pleaded more eloouentlv
than his tongue. and blushingly she
hid her face on his shoulder and abe
whispered yes"
For . second time that morning
Chester Alderman was shocked ont
Of his accustomed placidity, and for n
Nj