Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-26
THE CAPITALIST

glancing alternately at his nephew and the
dandelion crop on the lawn, SAY, Bub, do
you want to earn dollar or so before the cir
Gus comes to town."
"You bet!" Bub certainly did. He was
true young American in all that pertained
to trade and remunerative effort.
"Well," said Uncle John, "I'll pay you
nickel hundred for cutting dandelions out
of my lawn as long as they last. How's bust
ness3"
Bub knew we'll how to measure his uncles
pride in the lawn. Couldn't you make it
dime hundred?" he queried.
Uncle John drew his bushy eyebrows to-
gether and looked at his nephew quizzically.
"Bless my soul" he exclaimed. BLESS my
soul, young 'un! A nickel would have been
heaps to me when l was boy. The good
old times certainly have turned handsprings
into the past; but l guess can give you
dime hundred if the work is neatly done
and no ragged patches left. Is it a go?"
| "Sure," said Bub. I'm your mani"
| He repaired to the kitchen, and soon re-
turned armed with potato knife. When
his uncle went to the city for the day he left
him working valiantly.
Aunt Mary, who was sitting in her bed
room window sewing, looked out at Bub and
smiled lovingly. She was "see the best in
others" kind of person. BLESS the boys
heart!" she murmured. He knows how
much his uncle thinks of the place, and he's
going to help"
DERHAPS the monotony of the task palled
on Bub, or perhaps the sun was trif1e
hot on the crisp stubble of his close-cut yell
low hair, or it may be that he was inspired
by one of the fierce and eager muses. of COM
merce that goad young citizens on to achieve
ment. However, that may be, he had not
worked more than half an hour before he
flung the potato knife blade foremost into
catalpa tree and ran two blocks down the
street in search of his chum, Bert Graham.
He stopped before Bert's home and, with
two fingers in his mouth produced whistle
that was a dramatic forecast of the calliope
in the coming circus. Bert appeared from
nowhere in particular and greeted Bub 81
| lently, as is the custom of boyhood.
Then Bub opened fire. Il say, Bert"
| What, Bub?"
| "Goin' to the circus?"
| "N-nope."
| "Why not?"
Haven't got the jingles You goin'?"
Sure. Uncle Johns payin' me to cut
dandelions out of his lawn. | was goin' to
break my pig bank, though if he hadn't.
But when he did, l thought maybe you d like
chance at the job too. At ten cents an
/ uOuI you COulu tdIL d ClICuS llCkcI III OIlc
morning"
| Gee! You're peach, Bubsy! It's done.
An, say, if you don't care, could I work a
little this afternoon and make the side
show?"
"Sure!" said Bub with all the magnanim-
ity of the capitalist who kindly permits the
other fellow to live. Work as long as you
like, Kid"
Bert held out his hand in humble admira-
ton. Put her there, Kid" he said. Gee,
but you re peach!" Then suddenly his
expression changed. Il say, Bub, II guess
I can't. forgot something
| "What?"
| why, you see promised Club and Shaker
I'd ride to Linkville with EN- today
| Have they the cash for the circus next
week."
| "Don'n
well, you ask 'em, an if you like, on
your account, Bert, I'll give EN- both job
on my uncle's lawn"
"Will there be enough dandelions?"
| "Slues!"
Gee, but you're peach, Bulb"
HALF an hour later Bert and Club and
- Shaker, carrying potato knives and
large baskets, stood on the front lawn of
Uncle Johns suburban home, ready to begin
work. But Club and Shaker had less CON