The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-27
BY JOHN PHILIP ORTIZ.
Copyright, 1911. by Associated

erar Press,
MIR. John Bartlett, sixty-fve years
old, and the father of Ford Bartlett.
who was twenty three, had retired
from business. Mr.. James Wright.
sixty-five years old. and he father of
Miss Hazel Wright. had also retired
from business.
These two old men had known each
other and been friends for thirty
years. Their wives were friends. Ii
was known to husbands n wives
fathers and mother s-that young Flo q
and the charming Miss Wright were
engaged and would be married within
six months. 1t promised to be "A
happy affair all around.
-neE came a sudden bolt from the
blue. After breakfast one morning
they sat together in the park smok-
ing their cigars and trying to make
themselves believe that retirement
from business had brought content
ment. 1t hadn't done anything of the
kind. They had too much leisure on
their hands. They missed the excite
ment of business. They had reached
the age OF sixty-hve. but they did not
feel a day older than at forty-five.
When a man IL irritated and there is
no dog handy to kick he NAV turn or
n human being. Not a word had been
passed between Mr.. Bartlett and Mr..
Wright for five or six minutes when
the former removed the cigar from
his mouth and said:
Jim 1t seems that you've got moth
ing to do in your old e. but talk
ike a fool"
I'm no older than you. was the
reply, and as for talking k a fool
l don't think I can beat you.
Il wonder hat you ever had a thou
sand dollars to retire on"
Ditto"
You sat here Yesterday with
Shrtner and argued for two hours
that the world was created in six
days"
And 8 II was"
or, denying it,"
Then YOU can't believe the Bible"
Take ens two old men ard sea
them together or a park bench and
they will talk either politics or relig-
ion. Even If both think alike In their
minds. they will differ by word q!
mouth. MIR. Wright believed in tine
Bible. He believed that the world
WAS created In six days. He believed
that his old friend WAS a man Of in
teiiigence. He was irritated, how
ever, anu ne wanted Il row.
The Bible il one thing and COM
mon sense IL another" he said. AL
The men and all the horses and carts
in the world wouldn't create even tbs
State OF New Jersey in six days. and
you know it as well as l do
Six days it was, and even tho
squint-eyed heather Of China believe
that"
Then I'm worse than q heather
am II"
I'm advising you to give up your
pew in churc II you can't take the
Bible as your guide"
And who's asking for your advice
John Bartlett. maybe YOU don't want
NO, / don't think l do"
And James Wright went home tc
tel, his wife and daughter that JohE
Bartlett was a liar and an idiot, anc
that he had spoken to him for the
last time. While the wife tried tc
soothe the angry man. the daughter
| an AWAY to her room To- weep Tbs
quarrel between the two men would
Of course break up the love affair.
And John Bartlett went home IL
tell his wife. n q few hours late,
dropped James Wright forever, and
49, INV t"oh AtiA
from an auto accident.
Hes a blamed obstinate old mule
was added. and should he come &c
me on his Bonded knees I'd neve
take his hand"
That evening a very detected pais
Of lovers sat in the parlor Of The
Wright mansion and talked things over
In a detected way. Young Mr.. Bart
lett had expected to be met n the doc.
and told To take himself elsewhere
and thou~h he had escaped that hui
initiation there was cause for worry
Why. we'll have to give each Other
up said Miss Hazel.
Never In this world" was the
firm reply Of the our man.
But what a We dor
Like thousands Of other couples
WI al elope."
"Oh. Ford"
Yes. eiope. I am going to have
you at any cost"
but we'd be turned out doors
aud there'd nc columns in the papers
and thev'd get my picture and
and
But an hour later Miss Hazel wa,
saying that she thought an elope-
ment would be just the thing, II
would be by night. It would be
MOONLIGHT. They would elope in ar
auto. They would 90 whixz. chug!
chew. over the roads and laugh q,
the old folks left behind.
After the first outburst neither
father mentioned the quarrel again
The son was not ordered to cease
calling. and the daughter was moi
ordered to the garnet on bread ano
water. As a matter OF prudence. and
to keep his trail covered. young Mr.
Bartlett ceased his calls. and for tbs
Same r4ason Miss Haxsl was ven
demure In the presence Of her father
She must do nothing to excite hi,
Suspicious. She was prepared At ans
moment to hear him break out again
but he had nothing further 10 say.
1t didn't. happen to be y moonlight
night when the elopment Al last tool
place. On the contrary. II was ~
dark, that the auto ran over = COW
almost the FIRST thing. That mean
= stop of half An hour 70 repair
J br0kan- la1n6L TAan liz ehAuGeAl