The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-07
PROvIne IT TO POP"
ey GEORGE MUNsoN.

course. New York was his headquar'
tiers. There some dozen young men
arranged his numerous affairs. re-
drafted plays, shooed off fair appii'
cants and. in the interim of their du'
ties. bitten by the strange, Unsuitable
stage lust, begged the kindly old man
to try them out at the same salary 10
start.
Robertson had been the most per
sistent. Perhaps he might in time
have worried Pop" Garrison to give
him a walking part; but he came
down with appendicitis. and one morn
ing his desk was empty. and only q
pathetic scrawl from Mrs. Robertson
indicated that he was in the hospital
Sure! Pay him each week till ne
gets WELL" said Garrison to the CASH
Ter. His wife writes she'll be down
each Saturday to collect. Pay her
when she comes in"
Promptly at noon on Saturday q
plump. fuffy-haired little blonde pre-
scented herself at the cashiers desk.
She wrote her receipt in laborious
hand and took her twenty-five dollars
gratefully
Hello! How did you get in here!
We don't want any ladies in any
thing" sung out Pop Garrison.
I'm Edna Robertson" said the lit
tie woman demurely. my husband
Good lord. 1 beg your pardon
madam" said Garrison. How is your
husband? Doing we'll? I'm glad OF
that. Tell him his desks waiting for
him as soon as he's back again"
Mice little woman" he commented
to the cashier Il didn't know Robert
son was married. come to think of 1t.
II had wife like that ibid go on
my head"
Every week for a month little Mrs.
Robertson duly appeared at the cash.
ier's window promptly at twelve on
Saturday, received the money and
signed for it.
On the fifth Saturday she did not
appear But in the afternoon there
appeared. in place of her, a slim and
rather tall brunette. She made heI
way to the cashiers window
Il have come for my husbands
money" she announced.
'Eh?" asked the cashier.
my name is Flora Robertson, and
there's five weeks pay coming" she
snapped.
Pop happened to be passing through
and he came up at the sound Of the
woman's excited tones. The cashier
left his cage.
This lady says she is Mrs. Robert
son, and she wants five weeks sal
ary," said the cashier.
Pop had weathered many a crisis
and his nerve did not desert him now
PAY Mrs. Robertson by all means
he said, addressing the angry woman
"And how is your husband? Better
l hope?' he continued.
81 hope SO. As well as he deserves
to be. anyway" answered wife No. q
do you know what was the matter
with him?"
"Ap-appendicitis. understood
stammered Pop Garrison, striving to
retain his selfcontrol.
Nope. Bad temper. 1t went to his
insides." she returned. Say, young
man. you hand out that money before
this gink has time to change his
mind" she added to the cashier.
And, clasping her money to her DO
som, she stalked out of .he Office, leav
ing the two men fiabbergasted.
well, I'm" said Pop.
Ditto here" returned the other
What am to charge it to-overhead
Mr.. Carlson"
No. Put 1t down to petty cash." re
turned the old actor-manager. Lord
If hadn't been a boy myself once
but it's too bad, too bad!"
And Pops head dropped mournfully
as he went back into his den, and he
refused to see anybody at all during
the remainder of the day.
On the Monday morning, bright and
early, Joe Robertson was at his desk
He had been there about half minute
when the cashier came up to him
The old man wants to see you
Joe" he said. Say, you'd best fix UP
some sort of explanation in your mind
old man."
Joe. looking pretty we'll scared
went into Garrison's den The old
man rose up and looked at him with
a heavy paternal air.
II wouldn't have thought it Of you,
Joe," he said, shaking his head.
Joe Robertson pulled hundred and
twenty-five dollars from his right-hand
trousers pocket. Then he pulled a
hundred and twenty-five from his left.
hand trousers pocket He slammed
the whole sum down on the desk un.
der Pops eyes. Pop stared at the
money, made grab for 1t, and put it
down.
Joe chuckled. "Ain't l the best f.
male impersonator you've ever SEEM"
he asked. Say, Mr.. Garrison. blondy
was me. And brunette was me also
I'm not married-but I hope to be
when you give me that Job as a fe-
male impersonator at forty per. Say.
shed beat either Of them two into fits.
Dandy little girl-a real one, Mr.. Gar
rison, and her hairs"
WHAT" shouted Pop, and then,
with a sudden access of generosity he
slammed down all the money upon the
desk in front Of Joe, except two twen-
ties. which he thoughtfully pocketed.
Joe, were you, were you"
Sure" answered Joe. 81 was both
OF them And, as was saying, there's
real girl waiting till l get that Job,
and don't keep her waiting longer than