The Springfield herald., 1914-10-16
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
A MATTER OF TIME
BY ROSCOE GILMORE srorT.



(Copyr.ght)
Perhaps 1t was ten O'Clock in the
evening when Richman and ! saun-
tered out of the lobby OF the Lanker-
shon.
Had we boldly confessed, we would
have doubtless said that we were mu-
tually weary of each others conversa-
ton. We are mighty good friends. but
an hour and a half of dinner and two
hours and half of varying conversa-
ton, though helpful In numerous ways,
still has its drawbacks.
For myself, easily tire Of Los An
geles In summer. But always come.
and proceed to make 1t center from
which to play the nomad in the many
pleasant directions. Richman does
likewise.
There is a little eating-joint Just
around the corner on Spring" he said
languidly, offering me a cigarette.
We entered the lunch room and SLOW
ly made our way to the rear Of the
counter.
A tall. slender waiter dropped the
sporting page into which he was
earnestly delving
1.-The pink sheet says the Cubs put 1t
all over the Giants today. I'll bet
Muggsy is some sore. eh?" He as
sumed position of responsibility.
Il say. Bill. I'm going to my room
and go to sleep. Late eating certainly
does me no good. And l want to be
clear-headed, II talk real estate with
Perky tomorrow"
Il guess you're right, old man. Good
night. Some doughnuts and milk for
mine. And little jelly;roll."
Rich guy. ain't he?" said the waiter.
returning with my simple fare.
He has enough" l replied half-re-
luctantly
Half a million?" persisted my new
friend.
About that" was my response.
Il think I'll be there myself one of
these days. think it's only matter
o. time"
BE where?" questioned hazily.
Where the half-millions grow"
looked up with an amused smile.
"On the dead, brother. l amt al
ways going to peg along on eight per.
I'm nobody's fool"
Certainly not. But 1t sounds odd,
you know" said. to fix up my injus-
tice to coming finano4er. Tell US
about It."
Say. will. but" He glanced at
the large clock face behind him Say,
l can't offer you money-youre prob
ably as we'll fixed as him-but could
you watch this junk for about five min
utes? 1t won't take me minute
more.
Sure, run on" said.
In moment he had whipped off his
apron and Jacket and was speeding
away Not soul dropped in; and at
the allotted time he came back, pant
Ing hard.
"Say. do certainly appreciate that
Have your lunch OF me-"
mot bit of It, 1t was no trouble.
Perhaps when you get your half-mil-
lion. you'll"
Say. sure will, brother. And it's
coming, mark my word"
Let's hear about 1t, while drink
another mug of milk
He gave me a generous allowance
md rested his elbows on the counter
Its like this. had little money.
Lots for me. About fifteen hundred
dollars the old man left me. That was
Ave years ago, February ~. At the
time he died he was a railroader, and
we lived and roasted In Needles.
THE heat was what put father out
Of the running. Well, mother wouldn't
move away, and l left her with my
brothers and came here. had read
about the coast. and had a little plan.
And I'm staying by. working at this
Junk, hoping to see her pull through"
81 hope 1t does," ventured, gen.
timely interested. Whats the plan, II
It's no secret?"
We'll, say. don't tell everyone /
see. But 1t can't hurt to tell" He
hesitated and grew quite sober in
tone. You see, believe l can't carry
1t out. You can't understand me, I
know But what I mean is" He
rubbed his hands together, slowly, seek
Ing Just the right words. What mean
Is that I could carry 1t out. but
can't"
Pm dull tonight, and it's hard for
me TO follow such close logic. You
say you could, but you can't?"
Say, l certainly am balled up. Let
ne back up and begin over It's like
.his. came here with fifteen hundred
dollars and got job in this Joint.
What did do with my money? I.put
It all in on land-not land. either
sand.
you know Pebble Beach. l s'pose7
That is. you know the stop by that
name on the line out to Santa Monica.
Well, l own so acres of the sandiest
sand there"
laughed heartily. could not re-
strain myself.
1T does sound funny. There's not
house within rods an rods But
there will be, you mark my word. How