The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-10-31
MAJOR CROFOOT'S
GALL
By M. QUAD
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1916. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.

Major Crofoot, grand promoter of Il
dozen different fraud enterprises. had
his things carried out of the office and
downstairs to the sidewalk by dep
uty marshal because of a nonpayment
of rent His clothes cleaner, who had
his place near by, took him in out of
pity, although he had owed the clean
er debt for two years and was still
able to owe it.
my dear man." said the major when
his lame old desk had been installed
among the coats and trousers hanging
up, this is comforting-it Is exhilarat-
Ing. This smell of benzine goes right
to my heart You Of all in this great
city have shown sympathy and been
good to me, and you need have no
fear Of your reward"
The grand promoter promoted for
four days, and then he took a walk.
He walked half block to his old Of
nee, and he saw the sign of ITO Rent"
which his old landlord had tackled UP.
He also saw that no new tenant had
~~AC Al. AAC thClSlOle tOOh uOW III Luc
sign and carefully dropped 1t into the
street Then he went upstairs and
found the door Of his old office wide
open that any one could inspect the
room at his pleasure.
This appears to be a fine room,"
unused the major as he walked about
and looked at the old, familiar walls.
Il think this will just suit me to
IT. l do not know what the rent is,
nor do l care. l will take my chances
and move in"
Fifteen minutes later he had hired
two men for shillings apiece to carry
up his old desk and his two chairs to
his old home
When they had gone he went down
and invited the clothes cleaner to step
up and view his recovered office. The
cleaner did not want to step, but was
cajoled into 1t.
my friend, feel that 1 can I'M
bosom myself to you without reserve.
A millionaire in Chicago has drawn on
me very heavy draft, which shall
have to pay before IL o'clock If I
don't meet this draft shall be dishon-
ored at the bank. If do meet 1t I
shall be left penniless. A business
man like you can readily see the situa-
ton. Therefore l find myself obliged
to call upon you for the loan Of 81
just ST."
But how vhas itY' asked the clean
er. "You vhas owing me $2.75. Your
landlord turned you out l took you
in and made no charges for rent. You
comes back here mitout pay, and yet
you want to borrow 81 more Of me.
It don't seem right"
ut is as right as gold," soothed the
major. THAT is the way they do bust
ness In Wall street, but. Of course. you
don't understand"
"Vhell, l try you once more" And
the dollar was produced and handed
over, and the cleaner went away look
ing very doubtful.
The major was undisturbed for the
next two or three hours.
"Well?" inquired voice. which the
major recognized in an instant
1t was the voice of his old landlord,
who had missed the sign that had been
hanging at the street door and come
softly upstairs to make an inspection.
"COme in. Come in" called the
major without turning to see who his
visitor was. "Ah-ha, ohio! Is it you,
Mr.. Cramps? | am glad to see you
once more! How is business with you?
You are well. hope?'
"See here, you old fraud and swim
dler!" said Mr.. Cramps as he entered
and took a chair "Will you tell me
what In thunder and blazes you are do
ing here! Three or four days ago
had your furniture set on the sidewalk
and put up a sign that this Office was
to rent, and now find you have come
back and taken possession as cool as
ice!'
YES" replied the major. This Of
fee has got to be like home to me,
and l could not bear to leave it. was
passing by this place. and saw it was
unoccupied A great yearning came
to my heart. and | was forced to re-
turn. What did you say the rent was
to be, Mr.. Cramps!"
"Why. you scoundrel; you owe me
$40 for back rent" shouted his land
lord.
Every cent of which will be paid in
due time, my dear friend was the
reply. Twill the rent be the same as
usual and shall we date it from today?
have just invented the greatest thing
of my life. 1t is table dish called
Cinnamon Scented Applesass.' and In
a week | shall be selling tons Of it at
80 per cent profit. 1t is dish that
kings will buy. and it will keep 200
men busy making, packing and ship
ping. | wish l had some IF II here
that you might taste it. You would
never buy canned goods or jams after
ward. You see
YES. l see," laughed the landlord.
You are the same sort of a soapy
fraud you always were Major Gro
foot, you are a deadbeat, trickster and
fraud. not to say gigantic liar, from
head to heels. You are the whole men
agerie and a circus besides. ought
to throw you through the window this
time and pitch your old furniture after