Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-11
CHAPTER vII.--(Continued.)

WlUuONb VI uclu SOCAdl luIcICOuIbc ~
corners. On the pavement the process
sion Of coaches and motors was be-
ginning. Already the stalwart, soldier
ly, traffic squad policemen were open
ing lanes for pedestrians with waves
Of their white-gloved hands. The win
dows, each an artistic creation, BIOS
somed with the richest goods Of the
five continents. 1t was all alive, beau
tiful, and-most of all to the country
observation of Betsy Barbara--smart.
It was made for the temptation Of
woman As Tommy North talked,
Betsy -Barbara's eye travelled to this
lovely frock, that alluring window.
Still, after the universal habit OF her
sex, she kept her mind on the main
subject, in spite Of these distractions
Of the eye. The inner part of her was
listening and following. Yet the gay
parade, the autumn touch in the air,
obviously raised her spirits, obviously
put her in mood to regard Tommy's
derelictions tenderly, even humorous
ly
81 came here to found great COM
mercial career-as bill clerk In pro-
duce house." he said. THAT job lasted
three months-as long as the concern
did. Then l accepted slight weekly
emolument from q banker At least,
that was what he called himself. When
found that he was getting three hun.
dred per cent from advances on salary,
I separated myself from that position
Just in time to keep out of the Tombs
Then I consented to lend my trained
financial mind to the operations OF the
Silver Chain Mining Co. We had an
Office that looked like Buckingham pal
ace-rich but not gaudy. There was
an Andrea del Sarto effect in wall
paper over my desk, and at N y right
hand an onyx mantel containing .
bull In pure coin silver, which was q
hint OF what we intended to do to the
market. There, when / was not COM
posing great works Of imaginative fic-
ton for country investors. used to sit
and dream Of great projects for the
betterment of the human racial
from my profits. But one day while l
was writing a letter-we were short
of stenographers-in comes q coarse,
piratical country employe and snakes
the typewriter from under my fingers
and the desk from under the type
writer and the rug from under the
desk, and wraps them all around the
cashiers cage and goes away. Then
I went into brokers' Office, selling
bonds. l was there four months"
He hesitated.
"And what was the trouble there?"
inquired Betsy-Barbara, turning from
4 Partisan hobble to regard him Sc
verely.
well" answered Tommy, you see,
three or four of US went to dinner one
night at place where the turkey-trot
is danced between courses. When we
came out it pleased us to ride to Rec
tors in butcher wagon. Highly
original-oh, yes-and pleased every
one except our boss. who was entering
from his own machine at the same mo-
ment Next morning they passed me
nv pay on the end of curtain pole.
About that time cabaret offered me
a regular Job to turkey trot, but
passed that up. believe in remain
ing an amateur, In keeping my art
separate from vulgar commerce So
became chauffeur to an elevator. The
starter found, after two weeks, that
was temperamental. Sterling person
al reliability is more useful In running
an elevator than temperament. So
when they chased me from the front
door, I wondered past an advertising
agency. I didn't know anything about
that business, which is why got the
Job. l made good, too"
ing business?' inquired his relentless
inquisitor.
-Four"
"The same story with them all?"
pretty nearly the same"
And you never lost place for In
competence"
mo. It's the only thing can say
for myself"
Lets hear more details" said
Betsy-Barbara.
BY the time Tommy had expanded to
her satisfaction, they were past Forty
fifth street. The shops we're beginning
to give way to old residence, left be-
hind stranded by the uptown move
ment OF fashion. Two women-bear.
ing in their move, their elegant sim
plicity Of dress, their exquisite length
of line, the brand Of the American
barbarian-had stopped to chat in the
soft, clipped, affected accents Of their
class. Betsy-Barbara regarded them as
she turned over in her mind the case
Of this troublesome pupil.
"Mr. North" she said at length,
I'm going to ask very personal ques-
ton. I'm not asking 1t for curiosity
1--we a reason, which I'll state later
have you saved any money!
Brace yourself for the shock" re.
piled Tommy, "but really have.
inherited three hundred dollars a
while ago. And my mother made me
promise one thing-that I'd save lit.
tile every week / have Ave hundred
dollars In the bank.
Betsy Barbara nodded her wise and