The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-08
EVENING STORY
Hodges Need.


gait, baggy trousers and fringed collar
to realize that But after the first
casual glance, if one cared to go fur
| ther, he might discover that in spite
of neglect in grooming Hodge had, or
| once possessed, all the essentials of
gentleman.
1t was said that the family had
| spent some money on him." which
| in the vernacular of Hawkinsvitle
| meant a year at the academy in town
| and another year in the law office of
Elias Morris, at a time when his pres.
ence at home would have made an
| extra man. at $40 a month and keep,
unnecessary.
Hodge and Lily Sears were to have
been married. it was understood, be-
cause it was the natural thing to do.
| They were the two best fixed" fam
lilies in the community and their par
ents arranged the matter.
| But nothing came of it. Sears's
whip factory burned and the bank
failed with the Perliss money. The
Searses moved away and Hodges faith
er died The years rolled on and after
| his mother died Hodge was left al one
on the farm. There was nothing else
| to do The cows had to be cared for
and the pigs; blowing had to be done
and planting and harvesting. How
could he do anything else? And no
one suggested anything different be-
cause it seemed the natural thing for
| him to do.
| He hadn't married. He always felt
that he was promised to Lily and
every one else felt the same way.
When he was old enough to realize
that Lily was probably married and
mother of a family of children, he
also realized there wasn't any one else
around he cared for much anyway.
Time continued to roll along. Hodge
shaved less and slouched more. When
he was thirty-eight he looked fifty
"O1d Hodge was his nickname. And
with only one man and no woman in
the house, the farm wore down at heel
just as its owner had done.
A neat little red roadster stopped at
Hodges gate one day and woman
got out. Hodge, carrying skinned
milk from the separator to the slop
barrels, stopped and stared at the un-
usual sight. The woman was {.
stranger, neither fat nor thin nor
beautiful. But she was 1.-THE and well
built and dressed with a simplicity
that snacked of tailors, good taste
and expense. And, moreover, she had
something in her face more wonderful
| than beauty.
Hodge set down the pals and
waited, hands on hips, until she had
come quite close.
How do?" he nodded in return to
her greeting. He jerked his nom
descript hat to the back of his head
and forward again in lieu of a tip.
No. after her inquiry, Il guess I'm
not 50 awful busy. Come up and sit
down. nodding toward a porch where
two rockers stood that had the ap-
pearance of having all they could dc
to keep themselves together.
Thank you. What beautiful val
ley this is" exclaimed the visitor look
ing out over the wide, rolling fields
that ended in low hills beyond. II
was here years ago, and I've always
said that this is the most beautiful
spot in the world, I've been every
where, too, almost, and I know" She
| then the barn, and finally closely
scrutinized the man beside her.
I've come on business she said.
st shouldn't handicap my chances at
the start I suppose, but I'll frankly
confess that I'm an agent. I want to
sell you something"
! Hodge shuffled his feet uneasily and
fingered the hat on his lap. II don't
know as 1 need anything" he said
weakly.
/ ooh, yes, you do! I'm going to con-
vince you of that. Now don't get that
worried look on your face SO many
people do when I say that. 1t doesn't
mean that you have to buy a cents
worth.
Il ''All 1 ask is that when am through
you repeat that and mean 1t. It's a
game I have-just to show people
what they need. 1 might begin with
the house and the barn, but I'm not
selling houses and barns
Whats your line?" asked Hodge.
Il haven't any I'm taking orders
for mail order house in Chicago. 1
sell everything
Il "Ohn
1--WE got catalogue, but I'm not go
ing to bother you with that You see,
1 know men. Now with a woman
by the way, 1 didn't ask for your wife
for the neighbors told me you were
4 alone-it's different. They love to pick
things out of book. have a little plan
1 hope you'll approve of and it won t
take your time, either. Let me go
over your house while you're work.
ing and find out what you need. Let
me see.' She looked at a wrist watch.
Its half past 10. 1 can be done and
4 have your dinner ready by twelve. Do
you mind If I cook your dinner?"
Hodges jaw dropped. This was the
most extraordinary woman he had
ever seen. There was no need to an
swer, for she went right on: 81 can
form a better idea of your grocery
supply if / get meal Then there
are a few little things in my car
samples want you to try. You see,
it's business I want your ORDER
well, guess don't care. You'll
find things sort of unhandy, 1 sup
pose, and most of the kettles leak
but I'll pump some water and kindle
up the fire. There's leg of the stove
you have to watch. If you kick it, it
falls off and the whole thing goes
over Then, there's
She laughed. Never mind. If you
, make the fire I'll get along all right -
Hodge led the way into the house
and going on back to the kitchen, he
i, nodded toward the sitting room. You
can take your things off In there.
/ Maybe it's bit dusty. I'm not much
on cleaning
A faded photograph of very
young girl was on the mantelpiece in
, a place of honor in front of the
silent clock. She picked it up and
looked at 1t a long time Poor little
LiIy.'' she breathed. Then she put
: it back and looked around.