Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-04-04
Observation-Disclosures OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright by the Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)

good round cGp, for he had his usual
scant seconds to catch the eight
twentyseven. 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 morn
ing
Mr.. Hammond. I want 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 ever devised
Meeting the grin, Captain Ham
mond relaxed and smiled in spite OF
himself
What can you dor he asked.
Hustle" stated young Smith tn 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 ii 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 I'M
consciously he frowned once more
81 don't know of thing at our place.
You say you've had no business ex-
perience at all?"
"None that | care to tell about" re-
piled the other, smiling reminiscently.
"All through college | served as a cor
respondent for various papers, and
through vacations | worked on gen
eral assignments on the Courier. l
could go to work on the paper now,
but the occupation doesn't seem to
promise much of future"
The captain nodded his head with a
jerk.
Choosing a profession is like max
ing a wise investment" he said Il
understand your fathers estate didn't
cut up quite so we'll 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, l shall bear you in mind"
Captain Hammond strobe into his
Office and fired off his usual morning
question.
Where's Bluff1ng?"
Not down yet" said the girl of the
straw-colOred hair, slightly worried.
About half an hour later, Bluffing,
q young man with big straw hat and
puffs under his eyes strolled in, smok-
ing cigarette, and, after moments
deliberation, decided that he might as
well work as not,
"Mr. Bluffing," said the captain, I'D
like to remind you that the address OF
this office is 710 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 one and five. If those hours seem
a trife inconvenient to you, you might
state so in writing and III put the
matter up to the board Of directors"
VERY sorry, Mr.. Hammond" said
RIuffing with a wink at the straw
haired girl You see, we got caught
in jam at"
Il 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 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 never came
from a chemists shop, soothed him
still more.
Il suppose you have a lot of old
business engagements for luncheon.
haven't you, daddy? Now tell me
yes" she said
But | 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 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 little bit of pang in
that last remark of yours. Some OF
these days 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
a gangling, spindle-legged youngstei
when we organized the Briarscot Ten
mis- club. Since he's grown handsome
he doesn't like the name very much
so we call it to him all the time"
You know him pretty we'll, then p
why, he fairly haunts our, from
porch! Haven't you seen him there p
No"