The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-04-11

captain Hammond passed the gate
OF the modest Smith residence at a
good round clip. for he had his usual
scant seconds to catch the eight
twentyeeven. An elastic step at his
side suddenly swung into perfect &C.
cord with his heel and toe rhythm,
and a young voice, which nevertheless
sounded like that of a regular man."
babe him a very cheerful good norm
ing.
"Mr. Hammond, l want a job" was
the next remark of the voice. Captain
Hammond frowned and turned to find
himself looking slightly upward,
straight into the grin of young Ma
poleon Smith.
Now the grin of young Napoleon
was the most infectious and ingra-
tiating joy yer devised.
Meeting the grin, Captain Ham
mond relaxed and smiled in spite of
himself.
"What can you dog he asked.
Hustle" stated young Smith in re-
ply to the question
This time Captain Hammond
laughed outright.
That's the most valuable asset you
can own" he declared. Your names
Smith, isn't it?"
Napoleon admitted that it was.
The eight ~twenty-seven just then
whistled for Briarscot, and both men
started to run.
But about that iob?" suggested
young Smith again.
"Oh, yes" said the captain, and IN
consciously he frowned once more.
Il don't know Of a thing at our place.
You say you've had no business ex-
p%erience at all?"
None that care to tell about" re-
piled the other, smiling reminiscently.
"All through college l served as a cor
respondent for various papers, and
through vacations l worked on gen
eral assignments on the Courier. l
could go to work IN the paper now,
but the occupation doesn't seem to
promise much of a future"
The captain nodded his head with a
jerk.
Choosing a profession is like max
ing a wise investment" he said. 81
understand your fathers estate didn't
cut up quite so well as was expected ?"
NO." returned young Smith cheer
fully. 1T totaled to exactly nothing,
and nothing to carry. You don't
think, then, that there is anything in
your placer"
Not just now" said the captain.
However, | shall bear you in mind"
Captain Hammond strobe into his
office and fred off his usual morning
question.
where's Blufhng?"
mot down yet" said the girl of the
s~traw-colored hair, slightly worried.
About half an hour later, Blufing,
a young man with a big straw hat and
.puffs under his eyes strolled in, smok-
ing a cigarette, and, after a moments
'Ieliberation, decided hat he might as
well work as not.
Mr.. Bluffing," said the captain, "Td
like to remind you that the address of
this office is TO Green street, and that
we look forward with eager anticipa-
ton to the pleasure of your society
between the hours of nine and twelve
and n and five. If those hours seem
a trife i~nconvenient to you, you might
state so in writing and I'll put the
matter up to the board of directors"
Very sorry, Mr.. Hammond" said
Bluf1ing with a wink at the straw
haired girl. You see, we got caught
in a jam at"
81 don't give a continental what
held you," responded Mr.. Hammond.
THE point is that we want you here
at nine o'clock, with no excuse short
of q broken leg"
On the second mail an excessively
large order soothed the captain some
what, and at noon the arrival of a
tall, black-haired young lady with a
color in her cheeks which eve came
from a chemists shop, soothed him
still more.
II suppose you have a lot of old
business engagements for luncheon,
haven't you, daddy? Now tell me
yes" she said.
But l am going to tell you no." re-
piled the captain, all smiles.
Then" she informed him with a
mock courtesy, 81 am going to allow
you to buy some cellars and things
for a stunning young lady to whom
you may point with pride"
by George, Margie," said the cap
tain, now as gentle as any sucking
lamb, how you have developed!
There is Just a little bit of a pang N
that last remark of yours. Some OF
these daye 1t will be some other fel
lows place to point with pride and fill
all other male hearts with envy"
Indeed" she said, quite loftily,
maybe that time has already come"
He laughed and closed his eyes fol-
a second.
Il had a queer experience this morn,
ing with young Smith, up in our sub
urb," he said.
pole Smith? ?" she inquired.
"Pole!" he repeated.
Yes; Napoleon, you know. We
called him Pole because he was such
q gangling. spindle-legged youngstel
when we organized the Briarscot Ten
pts club. Since he's grown handsome