The Detroit times., 1912-10-19


Billy, She felt delicacy in mention
ing her errand.. ..
I'LL came TO see II the moon
had set" she faltered.
IT'S set" said the Watermelon.
Well" said Billy, then | will go
back" -'-'--'1- -----'-.~ '-' ~
Good night" said the watermelon.
Good night" said Billy, and
fingered.
Then she laid her hand on his arm
and spoke In a rush. "Oh, Jerry,
please don't worry. If you want any
money father has heaps. You can
have all you want"
The Watermelon drew a bit nearer.
Billy, Billy" said he softly.
II think II must be terrible 10 wor-
ry about money" Billy hurried on.
It's not worth IT,"
I'm not worrying about money.
kid said the Watermelon with a
laugh. Il have bunch What made
you think | was?"
Twice tonight you've counted your
money"
"Esau's bowl OF pottage." sneered
the Watermelon, turning unconscious
y to the old familiarity with the
Bible. Say, Filly. II he found he
didn't like mis- Iotiage. could he give
Ii back and get his birthright again %
Billy bluBhed. She was not sure
who Esau was. In a dim way she
remembered the name and vaguely
associated II with the Bible. Couldn't
he have gotten something elser' she
asked judiclously.
NO. said the Watermelon. He
had nothing mole TO SELL
What dill he sellf'
His birthright--2or a mess OF pot.
tage."
-Whx.d.- he do that,..--....
He was stony broke. he wanted
.something to eat, see, and he sold his
all for mess Of pottage Now, IF he
found he didn't IKE his pottage. could
he have given 1t back and gotten his
again ------
Yes. indeed" chirped Billy. -I
don't see why not: But why didn't ne
get something-be than mess OF
pottage?" H-A~--..-
Don't ask.mev hid -.But,-I guess
you're right, No one can. keep your
fbirthright unless you're willing they
should"
Il usually know more about the
Bible" stammered Billy, fearful OF
the impression her ignorance must
have made. Il know about Moses and
The watermelon nodded. You see
was raised on the Bible he said
kindly.
yes, agreed- Billy. and was
raised on. Mellen's food"
A step was heard on the floor
above and she started hastily. II
guess had better be going" she
whispered. Good night, Jerry"
Good night, Billy" 49,
She slipped away and the Water
melon was again alone.
She's right. II you don't like your
pottage. you can get your birthright
back. / can leave a note" he thought
and laughed bitterly. Haven't a
thing, name, clothes, honor Sneak
away like a whipped cur Gosh. I'll
be hanged IL can't do something re.
spectacle. l will tell them In the
morning and they can do and say
what they please. II you've sold
your birthright to the Old Man. you
have to go after II in person to get
II back. Why the deuce did | fall III
love with Billy? I had fun in the be-
now,"
When the Watermelon awoke next
morning he lay for time. stretching
and yawning in the comfortable bed
and the pea-green silk pajamas he
had found in the suitcase in Batche-
lor's car. He glanced at the generaf
beside him, his mouth
open and his round fat face as pink
as The pink cotton -pajamas- he wore. +.
Here's me In silk and him In cot.
ton" thought the Watermelon. He
couldn't tell lie 10 save his soul.
and stick TO your pink cotton, gen
eral," he whispered and slipped
quietly ont OF bed. He crossed the
room TO the bureau where he had left
the watch the night before to see the
time The watch was not there and
-Ge- tanned TO Hook IN his trousers
pockets. thinking ha-might have left
IT In them. But his pockets were
empty. save for a few old KEYS his
knife and the makings." Money.
watch. cigarette case, all were gone
He turned 10 the bureau. Gun links
and stick pin were also gone. Gingerlv
he felt in the generals pockets. They
too, we're empty. He stood a moment
In the middle OF the room in his pea.
green silk pajamas and gently stroked
his back hair, then he chuckled softly
ana glanced at the bed.
The general was awake. looking AT
him with half-shut. sleepy eyes.
Robbed, General" said the Water.
melon. .....
"RobbSd?"' repeated the general.
sitting up.
Everything gone, said the Water
melon, "or I'll eat my hat"
The general rose and they made A
systematic search through emnty
pockets 'and- riffed bureau. :
Bartlett came in gloomily. With.
out cent among them they could non
continue the trip. They would have
to make for the nearest telegraph
station and wire. for help. and Batch.
elor, mis- whereabouts known TO his
brokers, would probably receive. an
urgent call TO return at once,
Conttnuea.
GROESBECK SPEAKS