Gilpin observer., 1916-06-08
THEIR FUND
sy cArnAR,NG 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 30 you'll have enough to jingle?
he asked smilingly.
"Oh, you couldn't think I meant
really to take 1t. could your
Wont you? You really earned 1t
more than l. I've talked the goods 90
constantly for years that It was nat
ural for me to think up . name cas-
lily"
"Ah, now" said Amy, with tiny
pout, don't intimate that thinking
was such hard work for me; but l
can't accept what you earned by your
thinking even II It was easy to do"
"Win you have dinner with me this
evening and help me think out . way
to do something nice for somebody
with that piece OF goioI
"Ye-es," began Amy slowly. It'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 It.
and to bring It Just at the psychologi-
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 go whore there IL .
lack of It. What do you say to our
taking a stroll through the outskirts? p
That's where there are extremes of
happiness and unhappiness, I've heard.
All right. let's go! that 10, 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 and
was accompanied by such . 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
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 scarfs over their
heads, a 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 . nearby roominG
house.
At that instant. the clang Of the hre
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
on the uneven cobblestones Of the mar
row street. Amy and Harry stood or
the curb, and down Amy's spine went
the chilly creep and into her eyes
came the unshed tears that the sigh,
and sound of . fire department in &C
tion always brought to her.
She became conscious, In the mids'
of it. that Harry was holding her arm
protectingly. Two blocks away thu
engine stopped. the wagons sought thu
curb. and the lately happy group O
people began to scream excitedly. Th'
young groom tried to enter the burn
ing house and the protesting bride
threw herself before him to preven
the risk. The FIRE was In the h0us'
where their two rooms had been fur
nished.
The lamentations Of the bridal part!
made . babel. but Amy and Harr!
looked understandingly at each other
Gould we find q better place for
happiness fund?" asked Amy.
I'VE won't look for . better. vii
WEI" And Harry put his hand in tn
pocket where the happiness fund re
posed.
mo; this IL the Psychological me
ment we wanted" answered Amy. AM
together they approached the dil
tressed young couple.
This Is hard luck. my boy" begal
Harry. but this lady and had . bi
of good luck todsy and we'd like L
share 1t with you and your bride
Won't you take this"-handing hir
the money-"and get other lodging
and such furniture ~ It will buy?"
The outburSt Of gratitude from bot