The Washington herald., 1914-03-15

with .iye or six Of them," he smiiingly
answered.
But wen take a particular one You
aomired and loved and. became engaged.
The wedding day was set"
1 But she died." sp..
= .-Oh. 20. she didn't. She got to think
| ing how poor but honest you were. and
| how il would probably be. cold potatoes
and calico dresses for her. and she
eloped with an artist. She reasoned that
they could always fry and eat his land
| scapes il he could not sell them
Wise girl"' murmured the Secretary.
For year you were heart-broken.
You went into a decline and they de-
SPARED OF saving your life. When you
did pull through You had lost ali confi-
denee in human nature"
'.Yesg' r
| The years passed You had been
elevated to your Present position One
day a lady called. She sent in word that
| it was a matter of life and death. She
was admitted without "a smoment's. de-
lay - H..
And she proved to be Mrs, Pahkhurst7''
he queried.
Not a bit of it. Mr. Secretary She
proved to be 1.-The woman VINO lifted you
in the years agone." -'..r, y '.'@ .-'
by George -....-E
She. had changed greatly, She was
wan and thin Her face showed. that
trouble and misfortune had come to her.
She had a starved look and a consump-
tive cough. She was poorly dressed"
"Did i feel sorry for herr" asked the
Secretary. =, p.
You did. Although she had put you
to. an expense of 81 10 prepare for the
wedding-although she had shamefully de-
ceiyed you-although she had almost
wrecked your life"
:I forgave her. didn't r.
You did"
And kindly asked what I could do for
her. I suppose. she wanted a clerkship
and got it,
NO. Mr.. Secretary. She was poor but
naughty. She came after a loan from
the United States. but she could give
ample security. She wanted $4,000
+ But 1 can't lend the money OF the
government"
exception made in her case. because her
enterprise is really in the interests of the
people Firstly, she wants bust of her
artist husband placed in the Hall of
Fame where future generations may see
it, and she herself desires to open an
American flag bazaar at the California
Exposition. 1t will be stocked with the
flag of our country, and the red, white
and blue are TO be sold at a nickle apiece.
Secretary.
IT dunno aboIt that How many stars
have we on our flag
How many stars-U-m-m-
How many stripes?
"How many stripes-U-m-m-m"
There you are, Mr. Secretary. About
one person out of thirty can answer those
questions. 1t may be a good scheme for
all of US to get acquainted with our
flag. and to own little one for a nickle. "
But the loan-the security"
The loan is for the sum l mentioned.
The security is battle scene her hus-
band has painted 1t is OF a battle in
Mexico, and both armies running away
one dead mule. who was there the day
before the fight"
But / can't lend the money"
Not even in her case?'
NO
But you are her last hope"
"Sorry''
Could you tell her where she could buy
a Louisiana lottery ticket"
Don't believe l could
Gould you give that husband of hers
any hints on poker?"
Not a darned one
But. Mr.. Secretary, your heart is full
of the milk of human kindness. Try and
think of some way"
He sat with his chin on his hand for
two or three minutes and then exclaimed: |
Il have it, Let that artist husband |
paint out that dead mule in the battle |
picture and paint in Miss Mona Lisa and !
the French Academy will jump at il |
for a SlOO.GH0,'
THE P. d. Q. MAN