Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1911-07-21
SIZE COZ & ECTED
THE ACCOUNT
By MARY D. JENNINGS +.
- 80" ---- 4v' ,&' g. -
- Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation, 1911. - =,
By MARY D. JENNINGS

When Reinhart was in business he
sold man named Merritt some goods
that were never paid for. Reinhart
sent collector after him, and the man
came back with a black eye. He sent
another man, and he came back with
a broken jaw. Reinhart found it i'm
possible to get any more collectors
after that, for he felt In honor bound
to tell them that Merritt was a fight
Ing man and sent every collector back
with some damage instead Of the
amount due.
One day q young woman came into
Reinhart's store and asked him II he
had any bad debts to give her for
collection. She was pretty, and good
natured smile continually played about
her red lips, just like humming bird
fitting near a flower:
Suddenly a bright thought struck
Reinhart. He would give this girl
Merritt's debt to collect. He told her
that there was an amount he would
like to get in. but felt bound to in
form her Of the reception his men col
lectors had met and to warn her
that she would be liable to receive
some pretty rough treatment.
"Just the kind Of man like" she
said, with the same delightful smile.
Il have no use for these mild man.
nered men-ha, ha! But you don't
think he'll really hurt me, do your
Reinhart told her that any man
| who would hurt such a charming
young woman would be a brute indeed
and assured her that if she received
| any bodily injury from Merritt he
ReinharD would have Merritt arrested
and see that he was punished.
The amount of the bill was $1S5.57,
with $38.42 for interest. Reinhart
told the girl Miss Anthem she called
herself that be would give her half
the amount if she succeeded in collect
ing it all and 30 per cent of whatever
amount she did collect. He made out
fresh bill and gave it to the collector,
and she went away smiling.
The next day Miss Anthem went to
see Merritt, with the same pleasant
smile on her face, and succeeded in
getting into his house without his
knowing her errand. He received her
kindly, but when she sprung the bill
on him he told her that if she didn't
leave instantly she would be elected.
She replied by sitting down in Mer-
r1tt's study-he was literary man
and, removing her hat, let him see
that she was going to stay till she
chose to 60. But she smiled on him
that perpetual smile Of hers, and the
debtor, forgetting his debt. watched it,
wondering where it came from. She
didn't seem bit afraid, paying no at
tention to his threat to have her put
out. She ratified on about various
things in simple and childlike way.
saying nothing more about the collec-
ton. She sat an hour, after which
she arose and asked if Merritt would
take up the matter of paying Rein
harris account if the interest were re-
mitted. Since there was nothing very
definite in this, Merritt said that If
surely consider putting the matter in
shape for ultimate payment.
He chuckled when he closed the
door on the collector and thought
what an innocent, guileless girl she
was. Surely Reinhart had resorted to
a very stupid method Of getting his
account. But Merritt noticed that the
girl had left her smile behind her.
He was writing story at the time of
her entrance and attempted to con-
tinue it after her departure. 1t re-
fused to be continued. It seemed to
Merritt that his characters were
laughing at him. He threw down his
pen and, taking up his hat, started out
to walk off this indisposition for work
that had come upon him.
The next afternoon Miss Anthem call
al aooin IN Mr. Morri%+ or.1 coo,,ool