Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-09-04
THE BLESSED G|VER
In Watching Course of Somebody
ElSe'S True Love, Keep Out
of Rough Spots.
(Copyright.)

He was right. Bobby and Mabel,
two OF his warmest friends, had
at last decided to discard the yoke
OF single blessedness for a new sort
OF yoke Not the slightest doubt as
TO what was expected of him, either.
Hadn't he promised Bobby once, as
the pair stood with their feet on the
rail OF certain thirst emporium,
that he would do his share to make
the great event worthy one when the
time rolled around? The great event"
mad semed far In the future, which
only goes to prove the old adage that
time flies.
Cotton stood before the pier.glass,
a sneer curling the corners of his
lips.
You're about the biggest fool /
Know" he said, addressing his image.
Here you are without a red cent in
your pocket-or anywhere else-ex-
pected to attend a swell wedding,
which, In plain everyday English,
means. cab. flowers, and a present
which can't cost less thap hundred
dollars.
"Bobby's your good old pal-you
know that, don't you? And you're not
going to send him something you're
ashamed of-you know that, don't
you? Yes, you do; 80 get busy!
There's no use putting things off
Who was the duck that wrote pro
crastination is the thief of time and
30 forth?" he mused, as he left the
house.
We'll, never mind; I've forgotten
his name. The great and pertinent
question is, What first?' I've got to
nave an even hundred. suppose, on
pinch, that could cover cab and
nowers as well as the present. Might
soak my watch; case alones worth a
cool two hundred. But won't; |
think too much of It, have It; III
see Billy Martin! He said once that
II ever | was in trouble to call on
him. All right, Bill-here comet"
The elevator soon landed him on
the twelfth floor of the Office building
where Billy worked.
4 Billy received him cordially, and
heard his tale OF woe. or course
Cotton said nothing about the wed.
ding.
Sorry, old man. he said; but
had note fall due unexpectedly yes.
terday. You know how these things
are. Id like to do this for you, but"
He shrugged his shoulders in way
that said palmer than words: Moth.
ing doing!"
/ Il need 1t bad" confided Cotton.
well. I'll tell you what to do, Dick.
You go over to see Tom Nodding.
ton. You know where Tom is-in the
Commercial Bank building. He often
accommodates the boys without a
bit OF security. I'm sure hell fix you
up"
"All right. Thanks, old man." Col.
ton responded, and took his leave.
Z well, now. I'll tell you," said Mr..
Noddington. when Cotton had ex.
plained the object OF his visit, I've
lost so much by loaning out small
sums indiscriminately that I've quit.
No personal affront intended. Mr.. Col.
ton. Id like to accommodate you,
but"
NO, you couldn't very well under
the circumstances could you. Mr.. Nod.
dington? Good day. SIR"
"Doggone Billy Martini" fared Col.
ton. as he found himself again In
the street. Sending me to a man
like that! He might have saved me-
the humiliation. But the hundred
/ must have that"
The incident slipped from his mind.
as new thoughts crowded Into his
brain.
All" he exclaimed suddenly.
There's Newt Billings over there.
I'll hail him. He's always been a
good friend OF mine.
Hey, there. Newt! Wait a minute.
can't your
Sure" responded Newt where
in the world have you been keep
ing yourself? Haven't seen you In
dogs age"
Been a little under the weather
Say, old man, I've got to raise hun.
dred dollars. Don't know where |
can get II, do you?"
NO. ! don't Dick ! was about
20 strike you for tenner myself
I'm broke. played the ponies yester.
day and got swabbed out as clean ma
q gun.barrel. You might go see Dan
Turner. He's an accommodating sort
OF a fellow-let me have two hundred
on my note last spring"
You think he'd do II, Newtr'
Cotton recalled his experience OF
q few minutes previous. He had no
inclination TO have the dose repeated
Sure! You won't have a bit OF
trouble"
All right Thanks for the tin.
Where will | find him9"
Hell be at the club about this
time. He always dimes there"
Yes. Mr.. Turner was there-a cool
debonalr individual OF uncertain age
slipping his coffee. as he slowly
munched Welsh rabbit. lie was very
glad TO see Mr.. Cotton again: remem.
bered their little jaunt together in
the mountains the previous summer
with a great deal OF ploasure-er-
but really. he could not lend money