The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1916-04-06
THEIR FUND
BY cATHARiNE CRANMER.

best name suggested by an employee
for their new line of graniteWare.
Harry Benton, salesman, and Amy
Werner, cashier, tied for the prize The
boss handed each of them ten-dollar
gold piece, but Benton knew that his
annual salary reached in thousands
almost what Amy,s did in hundreds
Wont you let me add my gold to
yours so you'll have enough to jingle
he asked smilingly.
oh. you couldn't think | meant
really to take It, could your
Won't you? You really earned 1t
more than |. I've talked the goods SO
constantly for years that it was nat
uraI for me to think up a name cas-
lily"
"Ah, now" said Amy. with tiny
pout, don't intimate that thinking
was such hard work for me; but
can't accept what you earned by your
thinking even if it was easy to do.
"Wil you have dinner with me this
evening and help me think out way
to do something nice for somebody
with that piece of gold"
"Ye-es,+ began Amy slowly. I'll
help you If you'll let me contribute
my gold piece to the happiness fund"
And Harry agreed.
A few hours later, over their dinner,
they discussed the possibilities of their
fund.
Il want our fund to bring happiness
to somebody who doesn't dream of it,
and to bring 1t just at the psychologist
cal moment when it means every
thing" Amy was charming when she
was serious
That's the idea, exactly" agreed
Harry, and the best way to distribute
happiness is to go where there is
lack of 1t. What do you say to our
taking stroll through the outskirts ?"
That's where there are extremes of
happiness and unhappiness, I've heard.
All right. let's go! that is, If you think
we won't attract too much attention.
"Oh, you'd attract your share of at
tention anywhere, but I'm plain enough
to Offset your charms" This was said
without any palayer of gallantry and
was accompanied by such a genial
smile that Amy laughed, too, although
she thought Harrys clear eyes and
honest face and broad shoulders very
satisfactory kind of plainness.
AS they passed through the district
of the downtown poor, they {. tributed
various bits of happiness in unexpect-
ed dimes given to small tots who were
standing disconsolately in doorways or
tagging each other on the brick-paved
sidewalks.
Look who's herei No need for our
happiness fund In that party said
Harry, as they saw approaching them
a festive party consisting of an ltal-
ian girl still In her teens, her swag
gering young escort who pulled at his
sunburned mustache, some dark
gowned women with searfs over their
heads, a few plodding men and chill
dren of assorted sizes and varying de-
grees of uneleanliness From one of the
children Harry learned that the young
couple had been married that day and
were on their way to their new home
of two rooms in nearby rooming
house
At that instant, the e1ang of the fire.
bell was heard, and with each stroke
the sound grew louder until around the
corner came the galloping horses and
rafting hose wagons and the scream
ing engine leaving its trail of sparks
oahhlag+anao Of no
row street Amy and Harry stood on
the curb, and down Amy's spine went
the chilly creep and into her eyes
came the unshed tears that the sight
and sound of fire department in &C
ton always brought to her.
She became conscious, in the midst
of 1t, that Harry was holding her arm
protectingly. Two blocks away the
engine stopped. the wagons sought the
curb, and the lately happy group of
people began to scream excitedly. The
young groom tried to enter the burn
ing house and the protesting bride
threw herself before him to prevent
the risk The fire was in the house
where their two rooms had been fur-
nished.
The lamentations of the bridal party
made a babel, but Amy and Harry
looked Understandings at each other.
Gould we find better place for
happiness fund p" asked Amy.
We won't look for better. will
we?" And Harry put his hand in the
pocket where the happiness fund re-
posed.
No; this is the psychological mo-
ment we wanted" answered Amy, and
together they approached the dis
tressed young couple.
This is hard luck, my boy" began
Harry, but this lady and | had a bit
of good luck today and we'd like to
share it with you and your bride.
Won't you take this"-handing him
the meney-"and get other lodgings
and such furniture as 1t Will buy"
The outburst of gratitude from both
the bride and groom and from their
how they could escape but Just then
taxicab came along and Harry hailed
It and hurried Amy into ii. AS they
bumped away over the cobbles there
was a chorus of cheers.
They looked at each other and
laughed happily and without embar-
rassment, for that little happiness
fund had formed the nucleus OF per-
nv tho and of