The Dolores star., 1913-12-12
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER THE Watermelon and
James, two tramps. bantering each other
refardiny their personal appearance. de-
lei their r'e enm up asause new eloshe; and
a. to which 10 the better looking
CHAPTER u-watsrmelon goes to q
oareer shop, wins ia. contents OF tn
cash register from the barber by a
Clever trick and gets a shave.
CHAPTER In-He discovers a young
man bathing In lake and steals his
clothes While sitting In an automobile
ne discovered standing empty by the
daughter Henrietta drive up IN a car
assuming that his car In disabled. the
Seherai proners assistance. ws'ermelon
lands him a card bearing the name VIII
nam tiargrave Bachelor The general
recosnixes the name that OF a young
man who broke the cotton corner In Wal
, y, a Few days before. He invites him
TO dine with them
Weren't you going to the hotei'"
Il was thinking some Of it. But
the car"
"Alphonse. get the rope. II will be
. pleasure. We have always got to
lend assistance to broken car. We
may be In the same FIX ourselves some
day"
Alphonse brought the rope and the
Watermelon watched them adjust II.
When the last knot was tied to the
old sentleman's liking. he turned to
the Watermelon and presented him
with his card. The Watermelon took
II and read the name, Brig. Gen.
Charles Montrose Crossman, U. 8. A..
Retired" Then. not to be outdone.
he reached in the still unexplored
pockets Of his new clothes with conf
dent ease. and finding q pocketbook
drew It forth. opened It on the mere
chance that there would be q card
within. found one and presented 1t
to the general with lofty unconcern,
trusting that the general and the
owner Of the clothes were not &C.
Quainted.
"William Hargrave Bachelor" read
the general aloud. while his round,
fat face beamed with pleasure. Il
have heard about you. sir. and am
glad to make your acquaintance"
The Watermelon grasped the ex-
tended hand and wrung It with fervor
THE pleasure 10 all mine." said he
with airy grace and sublime self.assur-
ance.
Let me present you to my daush.
ter. Henrietta. this Ia young Mr.. Bat
eflor Of New York. You have read
d put him. my dear. In the papers. He
bfeks the cotton ring on Wall Street
last week. You may remember. Miss
Crossman, Mr.. Bachelor"
The girl put out her hand and the
Watermelon shook II. Her hand was
slender and white. soft a. velvet and
well cared for. The Watermelon's
- big and brown and coarse. and
Z ffHy neglected As to the nails
IYienrista noticed II with fastidious
Amusement. william Hargrave Bat.
chelor was not. In her estimation.
formed from the little she had read
about him In the papers, . gentle
man. He had started life as q news
boy on the streets Of New York. and
doubtless had not had his suddenly
acquired wealth long enough to be
familiar with the small niceties Of life
Besides, he was so young and 10 good.
looking, one could forgive him . great
deal more than dirty nails.
"You hardly look as old ~ ] imag.
ined you to be from the papers," de-
clsred the general. regarding . bit
obviously the youth who had made
-.,',ions IN a few short weeks by .
sensational stroke OF financial genius.
i have q young mug" explained the
Watermelon modestly.
The general looked a bit startled.
Henrietta laughed. She had always
wanted to meet a man In the making
engagement, you will dine with u.s."
said she.
Certainly" cried the general.
Have you previous appointment"
with myself" said the Watermel
on. ITO dine"
you will dine with u.s." declared
the general, and that settled IT, Get
into my car. Alphonse will steer
yours"
The Watermelon made one last pro-
test against highway robbery In broad
daylight. but the general waved him
to silence and the Watermelon de-
cided that II they wished to make OF
with the strangers car II was no
fault OF his. He had done his best
to stop Il. He climbed into the zen.
erals car. the general cranked up and
they were on. Alphonse and the Thorn.
% car trailing along behind.
CHAPTER ~.