The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-09-02
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
AN ALLosTAR CAST.
nv I,EsIJE REACH-

BY LESLIE REACH.
NCopyright. 1916. by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
a MISS JARRETT LONG
yM STRETCH had one hobby
~ weakness, let US call It, for go
3 ing to the movies every night made
Z an inroad Of sixty cents a week on
4 her slender income, and she realized
that the dimes she paid to the cashier
= ~ the Bijou should be drawing four
sHer cent with the rest of her rainy
DAY fund.
''But," she argued sensibly, "if I'm
happy In the evening I can work all
day without noticing it. But IL l
don't have little diversion, just
set sick Of the sight of raisin rolls.
nigel food and doughnuts. Besides.
make them better and my customers
Z buy more. So don't know but that
get hundred per cent on my in
vestment."
Y Miss Harriet was attractive as she
was sensible. And It was no fault OF
hers or Of the scores OF beaux she
E had never married. She had just been
\ needed. That was all. Now every
/, one was gone. and although she stay
cd on in the old home. she found 1t
necessary to exc out tho family nest
egg by making goodies for tho neigh
bors.
No ono guessed that capable, good.
Z, looking Miss Harriet was having an
Z affair. not even the recipient of her
affections-for she was in love with
/ Q movie actor.
Night after night she watched for
the Green Grab" to fash on the
screen, the insignia of the Morgold
Film Company, because q thrilling
drama would likely follow in which
Carter Aylesworth WIS sure to fea-
ture.
Now Carter Aylesworth did not
take the star part in these pieces, nor
was he young and handsome. To be
frank. his hair was thinning and
TURNING gray, his nose was long and
irregular, and his eyes had near
sighted, watery look that told of the
habitual lens-wearer.
Carter Aylesworth was the goat.
Every picture has one. II the piece
called for poor devil jailed for
twenty years by mistake, he was the
man. II the pretty heroine had to
hurry home at night from the factory
g. her dependent old grandfather, 1t
was Carter Aylesworth who submit
ted to shawls. crutches and hot-water
bags. II Indians caught and tortur-
ed a lone white man to be rescued
later by husky hero, Carter was the
victim. II family starved, he was
right there in the limelight. He was
. confidence man. book agent, shyster.
thief. Anything that was altogether
4 and entirely wanting in glory.
"Poor thing!" Miss Harriet solili-
quized at first. "Of all the mean
things that man has to do! Why, he
must hate himself"
But as time went on with no i'm
] proyement in the situations, she be-
], came indignant. why can't they
Give him decent part sometimes?
Couldn't he save baby from burn
ling house, or vent his righteous
wrath on the villain about to murder
pomebody by hitting him with club?
; lt isn't fair for them to let that con-
sreited young Farnsby have all the
Monte Cristo parts. If they did play
that, poor Mr.. Aylesworth would be
De Morcett or one Of those dreadful
men.
You know what they say pity is
Akin to. Yes-love came next.
III had that poor man, I'll bet
4 I'd increase his self-respect in about
two days. It's just because no one
4 cares about him or takes an interest
that he has that meek. hangdog look.
! know that II he had some of my
4 mince pies and spiced ham he would
\ chtrk up bit. My. but would love
to cook for him! He'd find out that
4 this is kind old world after all. It