The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-06-23
Suppositiously
Propounded

his raven-black hair, small, oar eyes
and swarthy complexion. Coming
from lunch, one summer day. he step
ped gingerly across the dusty cobble
stones, lodged a p%onderous electric
truck, was warned of the street cal
track by the changing of a gong. made
a detour to pass a stationary automo
bile. pulled open a brass-bound, bev
eled glass door and mounted the flight
of steps that led to the main floor OF
the bank. On reaching his department
Edwards sauntered to his desk.
Hello, bunch" he called, in lifeless
tones to several young men who were
grouped around an adding machine.
Tommy Belts, the diminutive head
Of the department, glanced up with an
expression on his face that was a
caricature Of wrath and called across
the intervening desks, stools and bas'
kets.
."Why don't you go to bed nights,
Edwards? Your mistakes are balling up
the work Of the entire department"
exploded Tommy. Come around here
and take . squirt at line 10. 1t don't
balance By a mile"
Edwards glanced across the sheet
and made q mental calculation.
II guess I was asleep at the switch,
fellows" he said, and smiled sweetly,
Leave the statement with me-" he
urged. I'll fix it. l say. n minute,
Tommy" he called, as the department
head drifted off with the others. I'D
like to ask you a question. Do you
think II a fellow getting only $50 a
month got married that he and the
girl could get along all right?"
"Of course, II depends a good deal
on the fellow and the girl. You
couldn't wear $35 tailor-made suits
and patent-leather shoes as you do
now. If the girls sensible, there's nc
reason why you shouldn't get along
all right. A number Of the fellows ]
know were married on less than $50,
and they're getting along fine"
you don't say So" Jack murmured
brilliantly.
Miss Mabel Marsh ran a compto.
meter and was an important cog in
the machine that ground out the work
Of the bank. The young clerks vowed
her end Of the room a delightful place
to work and the little bell boys who
sat on the polished benches down.
stairs and Jumped to answer the call
Of the officers openly adored her.
Say, Belle, what kind of a question
do you suppose the Jap asked me a
few minutes ago." inquired Tommy,
as he fingered a long, white paper
tape crowded with figures.
How should l know? Why don't
you tell met"
He wanted to know If l thought a
young man could support a wife on
$60a month"
"What'd you say to him?"
THAT thought It depended a great
deal on the young couple themselves.
I explained he'd have to economize.'
THE delightful thing about 1t is
declared Miss Marsh, flushing until
her pretty face was as red as a peony
that the girl the Jap picks out will
be sure to are enough for him to dc
her share in-in making 1t easy sled.
ding"
After leaving Miss Marsh running
her machine ut a great pace, which
slackened the moment he was out OF
sight, Tommy made his way back to
his " department, stopping al
Jacks desk.
Say. Jap, I vas Just Ginning with
Belle Marsh. I told her about that
fool question you asked me-"
Cant you keep a secret?" grum
bled the Jap.
Didn't know It was one" Tommy
explained.
"What'd she say?" asked Jack.
She said she felt sure any girl YOU
picked out would care enough for you
To-
Did she ~ THAR" cried Jack, hi.
face wreathed IN smiles.
That Wednesday night the jar
called on his sweetheart, but II wal
not until he was ready to leave tina,
he mustered up courage to say wha,
the girl had instinctively felt al
through the evening he had come t,
tell her.
Jack leaned forward in his chair
and bent an earnest gaze on tn,
| young woman who sat across from
him, her hands folded in her lap, he,
| eyes studying the pattern in the ru,
on the floor.
Belle. I'd Nike to ask you a cues
tion," he said. DO you Think say
| Belle. do you think"
"Why. Of course I do" she admit
ted. and her dimple played havoc witt
the Jap's heart.
that a fellow who is gettinI
only $50 q month could get along al
right II he got married."
I'm sure I cant say, Jack" sh,
said. "You see, I don't know the tw,
persons most concerned, and IL hav
no way Of Judging" She stopped
Well. suppose"
Belle Marsh Strengthened in he
ohnlw ssnA ~oss HAf~A~ ~ A~s