Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1916-10-09
HODGES NEED
BY LESLIE BROWNE.

!
/ to realize that. But after the frst
casual glance, if one care to 20 fur
thcr, he might discover that in spite
Of neglect in grooming Hodge had, o.
once possessed, all the essentials Of d
gentleman.
Hodge and Lily Sears were to have
been married it was understood, be
cause it was the natural thing to do
/ They We're the two best fixed FAM.
/ lies in the community and their pa
rents arranged the matter.
But nothing came Of it. Sears whip
faetory burned and the bunk failed
with the Perliss money. The Searses
moved away and Hodges father died.
The years rolled on and after his
mother died Hodge was left alone on
the farm.
Time continued to roll along. Hodge
Shaved less and slouched more. When
he was thrty-eight he looked fifty.
A neat little red roadster stopped at
Hodges gate one day and a woman
got cut. The woman was stranger,
neither fat nor thin nor beautiful. But
she was 1.-the and we'll built and
dressed with a simplicity that snaeked
Of tailors, good taste and expense.
And, moreover, she had something in
her face more wonderful than beauty.
No after her inquiry, q guess I'm
not so awful busy. Come up and sit
down nodding toward porch.
I've come on business she said.
I'll frankly confess that I'm an agent.
| want 10 sell You something"
Hodge shufIled his feet uneasiIy and
fingered the hat on his lap. Il don't
know as / need anything he said
ooh, YES. you do! I'm going to con-
vince You Of that. have little plan
hope you'n approve of and it won't
take your time, either Let me go over
your house While you're working and
iuG ont what you need Let me Sect
She looked at a wrist watch. ITS half
past ten. can be done and have your
Inner ready BY twelve. Do you mind
if ! cook Your diHner?'
Hodges jaw dropped "WeH I
guess-I don't care. You'll find things
sort Of uHhandy, | suppose, and most
Of the kettles leak. but I'll pump some
water and kiHdIe up the fire"
Hodge led the way into the house,
and going ON back to the kitchen, he
nodded toward the sitting room.
You can take your things off in there
Maybe ifs bit dusty. I'm not much
On cleaning
4 faded photograph Of Il very young
girl was on the mantelpiece in place
IF honor in front of the silent clock.
She picked it Hp and looked at it Il
eng time. Poor little Lilyi' she
hreathed. Then she put it back and
looked around.
OBSTRUCTION everywhere! Dirt,
neglect and corrosion. What house!
What a home for any man"
Hodge was washing at the pump
when Il most compelling odor of cook
ing met his nose, and then a voice
from the doorway called Every
Hing,s ready to serve. You are ex-
aetly on time"
lie ram a comb through his hair be
fore a cracked mirror On the porch and
won't inside. The odors. long strange
10 bis bachelor nose, made him raven
5uay hungry.
Hodge Strengthened. The smell of
/ coed cooking, a woman in the house,
a table With Il white cover and flowers
| he could see through the dining
room door-broueht current of
| thoughts into action that had been
| stagumt for years. Here was stu
| alton for him to act the gentleman.
@Td-Fd better change my clothes y
| he said
lie came down. There were bagcy
| knees and a fringed collar, to be sure,
| but Hodge no longer slouched. There
was a snap in his eye and his head
was up.
Such a meal! And such a woman!
"Nuw, Mr. Perliss,' said the latter,
after a dessert of fluffy pudding that
had melted down his throat. Il ana
going to surprise you when | tell you
the things YOU need You are expect
ing TO hear Of rocking chairs and dish
| pans bedspreadS and washing ma
chimes. No doubt you need them alt
| but I'm going to tell you what you
Need mare than that. There's a big
| world going on at a rather amazing
rate outside of your valley and you've
forgotten it, What YOU need is energy
energy to take part in the worlds
work. LIS terrible to anyone whc