The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-10-06

uScUcu OuOS SD L CufUC over.
1T must be very interesting work,
Ethel Willoughby observed. She was
more than interested in Guys quaint
friend. His sort was new to her. And
though his breeziness might not have
been considered quite good form in an
Englishman, it was a quality which
the British find both refreshing and
entertaining in an American.
"It is interesting" Charlie Brown
told her. "But you sound as if you
were going to interview me; and for
the love of Mike-don'tv'
"Who is Mixer" Sir George inquired
innocently, in his endeavor to grasp
the intricacies of Mr.. Browns CONVEX
satiOn.
"Oh, he's an Irishman we Americans
swear by" the newspaper man replied.
Fancy that! How oddw Mrs. Fal-
coner exclaimed. She did not know
that Mr. Brown was-spoofng-n
"Since you're newspaper man you
must know everything" said Georgy
Wagstaff. She quite fancied the
stranger; and she wanted to know
him better.
"Well, at least try to convince my
editor of that" he replied.
'Then tell us about the war! We're
very ignorant. We only read the head
lines" she said. Father won't talk.
It'd be a breach of-something or
other"
do tell as your opinion, Mr.. Brownp
Ethel urged. 'We're all SO very in
terested."
II suppose / can talk where Sir
George Garland 1 do love to talk"
Brown admitted. No one knew his
pet failing any better than himself.
silent Charlie-that's what they
call himy' Guy informed the others de-
lightedly.
"You don't mind, Sir George" The
American turned inquiringly to Sir
George Wagstaff.
Naturally mott" the older man as
sented good-naturedly. "As you said,
this is only a private tea party"
"Then please dow Georgy insisted.
eff you don't, Guy will!' She dearly
|
"Awayy' Brown detained In mock
satisfaction at being able to scatter
his opinions broadcast. "Well, I'll tell
you. While most Of you Londoners
have been wondering whether the
Irish are going to start civil war, or
whether Gunboat Smith did foul Car
pentier, I've been digging up some in
side dope, and, believe me, there's go
ing to be a merry old bust-up. Rus
STA, / know, is mobilizing; and so is
Germany"
"But can Russia, with her internal
conditions, afford to fightT' Streetman
asked him.
II don't know whether she can af-
ford to or not" Charlie Brown said.
"But I believe she is going to-"
81 take it you are not particularly
informed on Russia Streetman re-
torted, somewhat acidly.
"Oh, yes amp the undaunted Yam
kee replied. II know it's awfully cold
there, and that they drink vodka, and
have revolutions, and send their pris-
oners to Siberia, and apart from that
I'm pretty darned sure Russia's going
to fight" Words habitually flowed
from Charlie Browns mouth without
the slightest effort. 1t is so with
bores. But Mr.. Brown was far from
being a bore. What saved him was
the fact that he always said something
well worth listening to.
Guy Falconer did not allow the con-
versation to interrupt his ministry to
the inner man. He stepped up to Eth
els table and took sandwich off
with it he paused long enough to say:
you know, think Charles right"
go on, Mr.. Brownr' Georgy said,
impatient at the interruption.
Don't you think Germany can de-
feat both France and Russian" Street
man demanded.
"Maybe-maybew Charlie Brown
said. "But with England on their
side"
Streetman did not wait for him to
finish.
England, with civil war in Ulster
on her hands, wouldn't dare" he be-
gan heatedly.
And then Mr.. Brown interrupted
him. He had not the slightest inten-
ton of being browbeaten by anybody.
And there was a vague antagonism in
Streetman's manner toward him that
reused him nightly.
"Civil WARP he exclaimed. "Why,
If England has q scrap with Germany,
that Ulster trouble will stop in ten
minutes; and every Irishman that goes
to the front will lick three Germans
maybe four. I've seen the Irish
mix things up in New York"
Streetman subsidized, for the moment,
beneath that avalanche of words.
"And you think Germany is quite
prepared to face those odds?" Ethel
Willoughby asked the American.
"Not Intentionally" he replied. ''The
Germans have got everything down so