The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-10
'1ssP1sF1'f'ffeffff
THAT MAN CHARLIE
BY ROBERTA CARSON.
Paula, windblown and rainsoaked

Paula, windblown and rainsoaked,
burst into the living room where her
mother was reading. mo luck, moth
er, There isn't a maid, black, white
or Indifferent, who will bulge foot
in our direction just because we're a
couple of yards out of town. Nc
Manus at the employment Office says
they're all that way and he can't do
anything about it. / told him to send
out anyone who came along. A man
would do if he could get one. Oh,
why did dear old faithful Lizzie have
to get married? And just now of all
times!" She dropped dismally into a
chair. What can we do?"
Mrs. CORTLAND tapped her book
thoughtfully. IF it were anybody in
the world but the Remingtons who
were coming it really wouldn't make
SO much difference. But they live so
well and are so precise about every
thing
"And there's son coming, tool"
groaned Paula. "Oh, we just can't
have them. Father might telegraph to
Remington pater that somebody has
died. or that we've had a fire, or
smallpox. or something"
They are motoring here from Bos.
ton, Paula, and left the middle of the
week. We would not know where to
reach them by wire."
well, then we still have two days"
Paula got up and took of her hat.
For forty-eight hours I'm going to
clean the house till 1t shines. What.
ever the Remingtons find, 1t won't be
dirt"
Bang! Bang! Bang! went the car.
pet beaten welded by round, white
arm, strengthened and seasoned by
many rounds of golf and tennis.
Paula was talking to a man. She
had seen him pass slowly along the
side street as If searching for house.
"McManus has sent us a man l do
believe.-Stop. Wait minute! Are
you looking for Courtland's?"
YES"
did Mr.. McManus. the employment
man, send your"
"Yes-but how"
Never mind! There's no time. to
talk. No matter what you can or
can't do now-you are better than no.
body and we need you. I'll give you
an old coat of fathers till your things
come. Then beat these rugs and
sweep them of. Get the hose in the
laundry and scrub the porches and
walks. Shine the brasses around the
front door and then come up stairs.
I've forty windows for you to clean.
Sounds like lot, but it's got to be
done!"
So Charlie banged rugs, scrubbed
stairs, oiled floors, cleaned windows,
beat eggs, stripped the fat of the
ham. ground coffee, ran errands,
changed furniture and cut glass. At
the last minute on Friday he helped
iron the curtains after Paula had
shown him how, and then after dinner
he washed the dishes carefully, put
them away and cleaned up the
kitchen.
Then he presented himself to Paula
in the library. Miss, I'm sorry, but
I've got to leave"
What? You can't go now, Charlie. /"
She sat down with shaking knees.
Sorry, but gotta"
"But-why?"
My family needs me. l gotta go. |
tried to help all could"
oh, you did, Charlie You're a Jew
ell But what will we do when the
company comes in the morning? No
one to do dishes or anything"
"Mebbe the company can help
Paula laughed weakly. Yes, NAV.
be they can, but then again maybe
they won't. But Of course you don't
understand, Charlie. All right. IL
you've got to go, we've got to let Won.
I'll get your money from father. Four
dollars-is that right"
The next morning the Courtlands
watched the clock anxiously. fearful
lest their guests should arrive before
4
in order and mother and daughter in
faultless toilets when an automobile
containing three people drew up to
the curb.
Mr.. and Mrs. Remington were greet.
ed cordially and the Courtlands wait.
ed expectantly for the begoggled son.
who was busy with the car outside
Then he came, and something in the
travel-worn suit and shapeless can
seemed familiar to Paula. OF came
the goggles, and behold-Charlie,
The Remingtons enjoyed the situa.
ton so hugely that the astonisbed
Courtlands joined in the laugh. eve
have heard from our son how the land
lies." laughed Mrs. Remington "so
we are all prepared to roll up our
sleeves and pitch in and help"
Later, Charlie Remington had a fau,
words alone with Paula in the library
where he had handed in his resigna,
ton the night before.