Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-08-28
LATE A. B. GROVE
Wherein Dead One" Is Galvan-
lied Into Semblance of Life
by Reversed Current.
BY GEORGE EDWARD sTREETER.

man having something on his mind
which he desired to dispose of quickly.
rs the manager in?' he asked short
ly and in a tone which made the girl
at the counter open her eyes in sur
prise.
mo. sir; but will you see the assist
anti"
well, I dunno! l want to see the
boss, but p'raps the other onell do"
replied the caller.
Yes, sir" said the mild-mannered
Robert Picket, the company's chief
clerk, as he approached the counter.
Are you the man who said A. B.
Grove was dead?" demanded the stran-
ger.
mo. sir; not yet" replied the clerk
with a half-smile on his face.
This is no laughing matter-not by
q jugful." rejoined the caller, his eyes
fairly ablaze.
Il don't understand you," interrupt
cd the young man. please explain"
well, II you didn't. who did say
Grove was dead?"
I'm sure | don't know; I'll give 1t
up"
Not on your life; no, Stree, you
don't give II up, and | amt goin' to
give 1t up, either. You show me the
reporter who said Grove was dead
one" shouted the visitor
II want to see him." he added sig
niflcantly.
"And who are you. sir? What is
your name?" asked Picket in his usual
soft, even tone, which seemed only
TO add fuel to the others wrath.
my name?" he exclaimed. "Why
my name is Crowe-Arthur Benjamin
Grove. That's what my name is. | an
Grove, and amt dead, dye see?"
Too bad rejoined the clerk; ant
then. before the stranger could speal
again. he added: That's all right, Mr.
Crowe-you're not dead"
"Of course I'm not; that's wha
brings me here. Dead! No, indeed
II | was dead. ] wouldn't have come
would II"
Hardly" agreed Picket, who begar
20 doubt the sanity OF his visitor
Don't you worry. Mr.. Grove; II
vouch for you not being dead, II nee
essary. Is that all?"
mo. that's not ALL You people SAT-
was dead. and want an apolog.
published In every paper In this city
or there's goin to be pecks OF trou
BILE"
Don't you believe II. You're mis-
taken. Trouble comes to most pee
pie after they are dead
TO put such an item In the paper
would be stupid. That would be poe
advertising. What is your line of bus
ness?"
I'm a baker, and have been doll
business right here In this city for owe
ten years; and now. after all this tim
for your reporter to send out informs
tion that was dead
why. It's awful. It's hurt me
whole lot. and demand an apology
40 | do"
Baker Grove took of his hat, mo
ping his brow; for he had grown vel
red In the face. and very hot all owe
At that moment the manager e
tered the office. and Picket signal,
to him, introducing Grove:
Mr.. Thomas, this is A. d. Crow
who claims VIC reported he was dea
and he has called TO deny It."
"Of course. | deny IT," chimed
Grove; "and you fellers will have
apologize in every paper OF this city
Wont you step into my private {
fce. Mr.. Grove? Let US talk this thiI
over"
The two men entered the manage,
room. ....-.
All the reports ever written regar
ing Grove were called for: and, up,
being examined. II was found th
nothing had ever been issued 10 4
effect that he had gone to his rewaI
But the irate baker was not satIsfl,
"You phone Jones G. Small, where
buy my -four, and ask them" urg
Grove.
ASK them what?"
why. ask them II one OF your fc
reporters didn't tell them that | W
dead"
What's the use. my friend? I I
willing TO take your word for IL n
you are alive. Now let II 10 at IN
You must excuse me. for I'm very bu
this morning."
Not on yer life, by chiminyl" sho
ec the now thoroughly angry m,
mo. Stree! You phone Jones
Small. or there'll be trouble for ,
and the whole bloomin' OUTFIT"
To appease him, Mr.. Thomas did =
up the grocery firm. whose bookkee,
stated that he had been asked by {
of the bureaus reporters II he KIN
that Grove was dead.
And then what?" asked the mn
ger.
We'll. ! hadn't heard OF his dea
90 ! sent clerk out to his shon ,
~hile be was gone Grove walked I
the warehouse. told him heard
vas dead.
And that made him mad, I .
pose"
And then you told him TO come
here. did your" queried the manal
Well" he continued. how m
does Grove owe you now7"
About eight hundred"
How much OF II overdue1"