Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-10-02
THE BLESSED G|vER.
In Watching Course of Somebody
EIse's True Love, Keep Out
OF Rough Spots.
(Copyri0ht.)

OF hOu0n Spots.
(Copyright.)
well. I'll be hanged" said Cotton.
- he nervously fingered the envelope
the postman had left. "A wedding
invitation; l can tell them intuitivs-
h."
He was right. Bobby and Mabel,
two OF his warmest friends, had
at last decided to discard the yoke
OF single blessedness for 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 a 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,
sheer curling the corners of his
lips.
You're about the biggest fool I
Know" he said, addressing his image.
Here you are without 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 than a 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; SO get busy!
There's no use putting things OF.
Who was the duck that wrote pro
crastination Is the thief of time and
SO forth?" he unused, as he left the
house.
We'll, never mind; I've forgotten
MS name. The great and pertinent
question is, What first? I've got to
nave an even hundred. l suppose, on
q pinch. that could cover cab and
flowers as well as the present. Might
soak my watch; case alone's worth a
cool two hundred. But won't; l
think too much of 1t. have It; I'll
see Billy Martin! He said once that
II ever was in trouble to call on
MIN. All right, Bill-here l comet"
The elevator soon landed him on
the twelfth floor of the office building
where Billy worked.
Billy received him cordially, and
heard his tale Of woe. OF course
Cotton said nothing about the we'd
ding.
Sorry, old man." he said but /
had a 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.
We'll, Ill tell you what to do, Dick.
You 60 over to see Tom Nodding-
ton. You know where Tom is-in the
Commercial Bank building. He often
accommodates the boys without q
bit of security. I'm sure he'll fix you
up"
All right. Thanks. old man." Col
ton responded. and took his leave.
well. now. I'll tell you," said Mr..
Noddington. when Cotton had ex-
planned the object of his visit, i've
lost SO much by loaning out small
sums Unfortunately that I've quit
No personal affront intended, Mr.. Col
ton. I'd like to accommodate you,
but"
mo. 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,
- new thoughts crowded Into his
brain.
'Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly.
there's Newt Billings over there.
Ill hail him. He's always been
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 q
dogs age
Been a little under the weather.
Say. old man. I've got to raise q hun
dred dollars. Don't know where l
can get 1t, do your"
mo. / don't Dick was about
TO strike you for a tenner myself.
I'm broke; played the ponies yester-
day and got swabbed out a. clean a.
. gun-barrel You might 60 sec Dan
Turner. He's an accommodating sort
Of fellow--let me have two hundred
on my note last spring."
You think he'd do 1t, Newtr"
Cotton recalled his experience of
. few minutes previous. He had NO
inclination to have the dose repeated.
Sure! You won't have Q bit Of
trouble"
All right. Thanks for the tin