The log cabin Democrat., 1916-01-12
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THAT MAN CHARLIE
BY ROBERTA CARSON.


mother was reading mo luck, moth
er, There isn't a maid, black, white
or Indifferent, who will bulge a foot
in our direction just because we're
couple of yards out of town. Nc
Manus at the employment Office says
they're all that way and he can't do
anything about it. | told him to send
out anyone who came along. A man
would do if he could get one. Oh
why did dear old faithful Lizzie have
to get married? And just now of all
times!" She dropped dismally into a
chair. What can we do?'
Mrs CORTLAND tapped her book
thoughtfully. IF it were anybody in
the world but the Remingtons who
were coming it really wouldn't make
so much difference. But they live so
well and are so precise about every
thing"
And there's a son coming, too"
groaned Paula "Oh, we just cant
have them. Father might telegraph to
Remington pater that somebody has
died, or that we've had a fire, or
smallpox, or something
They are motoring here from Bos-
ton, Paula, and left the middle of the
week. We would not know where to
reach them by wire"
Well, then we still have two days."
Paula got up and took off her hat.
For forty-eight hours I'm going to
clean the house till it shines. What
! ever the Remingtons find, it won't be
dirt"
Bang, Bang, Bang! went the car
| pet beaten welded by round white
arm, strengthened and seasoned by
many rounds of golf and tennis.
Paula was talking to a man. She
had seen him pass slowly along the
side street as II searching for house.
"McManus has sent us a man l do
believe.-Stop. Wait a minute! Are
you looking for Courtland's?'
YES"
y)id Mr. McManus the employment
man, send you?"
''Yes-but how"
Never mind, There's no time to
talk. No matter what you can or
can't do now-you are better than no.
body and we need you. I'll give you
an old coat of fathers till your things
come. Then beat these rugs and
sweep ttau off. Get the hose in the
| laundry and scrub the porches and
walks. Shine the brasses around the
front door and then come up stairs.
I've forty windows for you to clean.
| III, liz lo@ I,,k l..
done!"
So Charlie banged rugs, scrubbed
stairs, oiled floors, cleaned windows,
beat eggs, stripped the fat off the
ham, ground coffee, ran errands,
changed furniture and cut glass. At
the last minute on Friday he helped
iron the curtains after Paula had
shown him how, and then after dinner
he washed the dishes carefully, put
them away and cleaned up the
kitchen.
Then he presented himself to Paula
in the library. Miss, I'm sorry, but
I've got to leave"
What? You can't go now, Charlie"
She sat down with shaking knees
Sorry, but gotta"
"But-why?"
my family needs me. I gotta go.
tried to help all l could"
"Oh. you did, Charlie. You're jew
ell. But what will we do when the
company comes in the morning? No
one to do dishes or anything"
"Mebbe the company can help"
Paula laughed weakly. Yes, may
be they can, but then again maybe
they won't But OF course you don't
understand, Charlie. All right, IL
you've got to go, we've got to let you.
I'll get your money from father. Four
dollars-is that right"
The next morning the Courtlands
watched the clock anxiously, fearful
lest their guests should arrive before
the work was done But things were
in order and mother and daughter in
faultless toilets when an automobile
containing three people drew up to
the curb.
Mr. and Mrs. Remington were greet
ed cordially aid the Ccurtlands wait
ed expectantly for the begoggled son.
who was busy with the car outside.
Then he came, and something in the
travel-worn suit and shapeless cap
seemed familiar to Paula OF came
the goggles. and behold-Charlie
The Remingtons enjoyed the situa-
ton so hugely that the astonished
Courtlands joined in the laugh. I'VE
have heard from our son how the land
lies!" laughed Mrs. Remington, so
we are all prepared to roll up our
sleeves and pitch in and help
Later, Charlie Remington had few
words alone with Paula in the library
where he had handed in his resigna-
ton the night before.
| Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndcate)
Philosophc King.
Though King Peter has refused to