Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-05-19
THEIR FUND
BY cArHARINE cRANmER.

I~~~~~ss~s~ssssse> >~~s~es~ess~sse
Williams & Company offered 4
prize Of twenty dollars in gold for the
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 q 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 % you'll have enough to jingie!
he asked smilingly.
"Oh, you couldn't think ! meant
really to take It, could your
Wont you? You really earned It
more than l. rye talked the goods 20
constantly for years that 1t was nat
ural for me to think up name cas-
n.y."
"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 II 1t was easy to do"
"Will 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 II 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.
II want our fund to bring happiness
to somebody who doesn't dream Of 1t.
and to bring 1t just at the psychology
cal moment when 1t means every
thing" Amy was charming when she
was serious.
That's the idea, exactly" agreed
Harry, land the best way to distribute
happiness IL to 90 where there ID
lack Of 1t. What do you say to our
taking q stroll through the outskirtsr
That's where there are extremes OF
happiness and unhappiness. I've heard.
All right. let's go! that is. II 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 palaver Of gallantry ana
was accompanied by such a genial
smile that Amy laughed. too. although
she thought Harry's clear eyes and
honest face and broad shoulders very
satisfactory kind Of plainness
As they passed through the district
Of the downtown poor, they distributed
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 here! No need for our
happiness fund in that party" said
Harry. as they saw approaching them
Q festive party consisting Of an Ital-
ian girl still in her teens. her swag-
gering young escort who pulled at his
sunburned mustache. some dark
gowned women with scarfs over their
heads, q few plodding men and chill
dren Of assorted sizes and varying de-
grees of uncleanliness. 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 q nearby rooming
house.
At that instant, the clang 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 &aving its trail of sparks
on the uneven cobblestones Of the mar
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 It. 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 fpr-
nished.
The lamentations of the bridal party
made a babel. but Amy and Harry
looked understandingly at each other.
Gould we find better place for q
happiness fund.-? asked Amy.
I'VE won't look for q 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 l had 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 money-"and get ether lodgings
and such furniture a. 1t viii buy?"
The outburst Of gratitude from both
the bride and groom and from their
kinsmen made Amy and Harry wonder
how they could escape. but just then q
taxicab came along and Harry hailed
II and hurried Amy into It. Al they