Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-09-28
Ira Bumps
Treasure
He Lost It. but Found
Another.
By CLARISSA MACKE

TX Dy SLANiooA mhShiE y
$$%s%e&$sSs$$$&$$@$ss$@@$$
Ira Bump was head bookkeeper in a
downtown wholesale house. He was a
little, round, roIy poly man with brown
eyes and hair and rosy complexion.
He had money in the bank, he was al
ways we'll dressed, he was unmarried,
and he had boarded at Mrs. Hecker's
for thirteen years.
Now, Ira Bump did not occupy the
most expensive suit at Mrs. Hecker's
thoroughly respectable and unhome-
like abode. On the contrary, he lived
In the third floor back bedroom. 1t
was a large room and quite cOmforta-
BILE, for Ira had added many luxuries
from time to time, and 1t was So less
per week than the best suit, and that
So Ira placidly planted In the bank
with his other savings. Some day
when he had to make way for young
er man at the Office he intended to re-
tire to the country and raise chickens.
Among his fellow boarders Ira was
looked upon as back number. I"
Dapper young store clerks winked at
each other when Ira came In, and they
were not above making Jokes at his
expense, all Of which flew harmlessly
over his smooth brown head.
The younger girls, stenographers
and clerks, smiled kindly at him, and
the older girls beamed upon him, for
he was possible escape from old
maidenhood.
One day Ira read story in q popu-
lar magazine, story that stirred his
sluggish blood 1t was about some
pearl fishers in the south Pacific who
fought to the death over q magnifl-
cent pearl found In an oyster shell by
one Of the divers.
After that Ira ordered raw oysters
In addition to his usual lunch. He
never ate the oysters, because he was
| afraid Of bacilli, but he searched the
shells carefully, hoping that some day
he, too, might find pearly treasure In
one Of the succulent bivalves.
And, 10, one day his fork struck a
round object in the bottom Of the
plate Of oysters! Carefully he picked
1t out and furtively slipped it into his
vest pocket. He was so excited that
he could not finish his coffee, and,
grabbing his hat, he dashed back to
| the office.
There, alone at his desk, he pored
over the milky, lustrous pearl that roll
ed around In his palm.
1T must be worth $1,000" he gloated
as he wrapped 1t In tissue paper and
hid it away. II SHALL shall buy an
automobile, think"
That night when Ira Bump came into
dinner he radiated with an air Of pros
perity. He wore q brand new suit Of
evening clothes, and from the crown Of
his head to his patent leather shod feet
he was unusually immaculate.
Evening clothes were distinct nov
city at Mrs. Hecker's table, and Annie,
the waitress, nearly dimmed Ira's sar-
torial glory by spilling soup upon him,
but happily the bisQue Of tomato was
diverted to the thick gray woolen coat
sleeve of his next door neighbOr, Den
ton, the hardware clerk.
Ira lent first aid to the wrathful Den
ton, for he felt In a measure respon-
| sible for the mishap. He knew and
every one else knew, for they had seen
| Annies start Of surprise, that 1t was
the sight Of Mr. Bumps new clothes
which had caused the accident.
Like an invisible mantle, an air Of
elegance descended upon the table.
People were unusually courteous to
one another.
Everybody talked except Freda Lind
say. Perhaps 1t was the long day
spent in the schoolroom that was re-
sponsible for her unusual pallor, for
the shadows under her sweet gray eyes
and the sad droop to her mouth.
At any rate, Ira Bump was star
tied by her appearance and made a
mental note that he must do something
for Miss Lindsay. How delightful it
was to be rich-richer than his friends
and cquaintances-and hold the hap
piness Of giving pleasure to others!
After dinner Ira paused to speak to
Freda Lindsay. He felt very gay and
excltable In his new clothes. He felt
actually reckless.
You are looking Ill, Miss Lindsay"
he said solicitously. "You need a
breath Of fresh air after the days
close confinement. Wouldn't you like
to take a little ride-er-er-a motor
ride In the park and then 90 to the
theater afterward? It would give me
much pleasure"
"Oh, Mr.. Bump" she gasped. II
should be delighted! But" glancing
at his attire, 81 haven't anything very
splendid to wear"
"Pooh" laughed Ira Bump gayly.
whats the matter with that pink
gown you used to wear last SUMMER
Freda blushed to think that he had
remembered her rose pink voile Of last
summer. II will put 1t on" she said
hurriedly and went up to her little
room.
Mrs. Heckers sitting room buzzed
with excitement when Ira Bump and
Freda Lindsay rolled away in hastily
summoned motorcar.
Bump certainly has struck 1t rich"
remarked Denton enviously.
"He looks very distinguished in even.
Ing Clothes" sighed Miss Petty.
"Oh, any one looks distinguished in
q awallowtail," retorted the salesman
pettishly. "They can talk all they
want to about clothes not making the
man, but they help lot, believe me-
In the meantime Ira Bump ans
Freda Lindsay were becoming bettel
acquainted. The change from th'
dull routine Of their daily lives seem
ed to work miracles. In the sun o.
prosperity they expanded like stuntet
buds, and a flower of romance bloom
ed when they entered the theater.
The play was romance, an old fasn
ioned love story that set their heart
to beating to q new tune.
And when the motor sped tnen
homeward Ira Bump opened his hear
to Freda Lindsay. He told her abou
~