The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-07
THEIR FUND  Bv cATHARiNE CRANMER.

nrize of twenty dollars in gold TOT the bos+ name suggested by an employee for their new line Of grante"are. Harry Benton, salesman, and Amy Werner. cashier, tied for the prize. The hoss handed each of them ten-doliar cold niece, but Benton knew that his annual salary reached in thousands almost what Amy's did in hundreds.
 "Won't you let me add my gold to ,,o,,re eo vou'u have enough to jingle?' he asked smilingly.
 "Oh you couldn't think l meant really to take it, could your
 wont you? You really earned 1t more than I. I've talked the goods SO constantly for years that 1t was nat ural for me to think up a name cas- fly"
 "Ah. now" said Amy, with a tiny nout don't intimate that thinking was such hard work for me; but l can't accept what you earned by your thinking even If it was easy to do.
 "Wul you have dinner with me this evening and help me think out way to do something nice for someoooyl with that piece of gold?'
 "Ye-es," began Amy slowly. I'll help you if 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.
 'I want our fund to bring happiness to somebody who doesn't dream Of 1t, and to bring 1t just at the psychologl- cal moment when it means every thing" Amy was charming when she was serious.
 That's the idea, exactly" agreed Harry, and the best way to distribute happiness is to go where there is a lack oe it. What do you say to our taking a stroll through the outskirts?'
 That's where there are extremes of happiness and unhapplness, I've heard All right let's go! that Is, If 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 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 NF 10 thcu ict cd 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, ,s they saw approaching them 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, a few plodding men and chill dren of assorted sizes and varying de- grees of uncieanliness 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 rcoming 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 rattling 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 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 a fire department in &C., tion 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 excitadly. The young groom tried to enter the burn ing house and the protesting bride threw herself before him to prevent
 
 where their two rooms had been fur nished.
 The lamentations of the bridal party made babel, but Amy and Harry looked understaudingly at each other.
 Could we find better place for a happiness fund.-" asked Amy.
 We won't look for a better, will we?' And Harry put his hand in the pocket whore 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 Hary, but this lady and l had a bit of good luck today and we'd like to share it with you and your bride. Won't you take his'-hauding him the money-"and get other lodgings nd ,,ah f,,s,, ss