Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-02-10

an adieu, cOckeu ms nat rlklSnlI over
one ear, picked up his bag and UNI
brella and left the house.
Going downtown in the car his spirits
lifted wonderfully. He felt as if he
were on the eve of some adventure.
Leaving his bag and umbrella in the
check room of a hotel. Henry POTTER
| ate his breakfast and then set forth to
| look for Il Job. He had scanned the
morning paper while he ate and there
We're several places where he might
apply for a position as bookkeeper.
At + o'clock that afternoon Mr.. Poti-
fer acknowledged to himself that it
was useless to look further that day.
! lie had been too late or too old or too
something for every job that he ap-
| piled for that day, and late afternoon
found him wondering whether he
should brave Mrs. Potifer's ridicule
and go home in spite of his threats Of
the morning or whether he should
really remain downtown and stay at
the hotel until another day promised
better luck.
He decided to take II trolley ride. and
while he cooled off from the heat of
the days eycrtions he could decide
what to do.
The trolley car whirled him into the
green country and through pretty vii
lagos. At the end of the line he got off
and went for Il walk along a babbling
brook that reminded him of his boy
hood days on the farm.
And on the banks of the brook Mr..
POTTER found adventure waiting for
him and q steady job lurking in the
background. although he didn't know
that until afterward.
a pretty girl in a pink sunbonnet
was struggling with a tall. dark. vii
famous looking man, who held her
slender hands in his big ones.
"Unhand me. villain" shrieked the
girl just as Mr.. POTTER came running
cane poised for action.
Never cried the man angrily as he
dragged her toward the path that led
across an open field, beyond which ap-
| pearcd the red roof of Il farmhouse.
What are You doing here, old Buttin-
SKYE he roared at Henry POTTER.
Get out of the way. You're spelling
this"
Il intend to spoil it roared Henry
POTTER valiantly. Let the lady so.
you rascal"
The lady laughed Historically. the
villain Swore Justify as Mr.. Potifer's
cane circled around the mans head
and finally fell on his shoulders.
Suddenly the man grasped the girls
hand and shouted:
Beat it and leave the old meddler
behind. Well get the sack for this"
Whereupon the couple few along the
path into the field and across the field,
With Mr.. Henry potifcr in hot pursuit,
his gray coattaiiS dying. his fat face
dripping with perSpiratiol and his
mouth wide open like Il @aSpin@ tish's.
And there fell into the pursuit from
behind trees and an ancient barn sew
eral policemen, who waved their sticks
and fired rcvolvers into the air.
MI. POTTER stopped at TIE first pistol
shot just as Il bee w;n@ing homeward
grazcl his bald head. Mr.. POTTER
thought that he had stopped q bullet
with his Uranium. and he fell to earth
and groancd.
Immediately there was a circle of
oddly dressed people around him, most
of them laughing, some of them scold-
inc lu+ all of thon, p,oct ooDoarnoJ, i,
the appearance of a dapper little man
Who almost danced up and down as he
surveyed the rccumbcnt form of Henry
POTTER. professional meddler.
I'D like to kill him." roared the lit
tie man, brandishing his fist before Mr..
Potifer's startled eyes. Man, you've
spoiled fifty feet of finn
"Eilm:" echoed Mr.. POTTER blankly.
Yes. film mimicked the little mar.
and then he proceeded to explain to
Mr.. POTTER that he had i%nterfered in
the making Of Il moving picture film
| that it would cost hundreds of dollars
to make good the damage he had done
that afternoon.
Mr.. POTTER listened and stared and
looked aghast. and with each change
OF expression the actresses giggled and
the men smiled until the manager of
the company smiled too. The star
whispered for awhile in the managers
ear. and the manager slapped his knee
and cried:
Il believe you're right. Barton. II!
talk TO the old duffer."
SO he smiled upon the perturbed Mr.,
POTTER and took him aside and made
him 4 proposition.
The proposition almost took Henry
Potifer's breath away.
lie was to enact the part of the fat
uncle in the play. Just be himself, q
professional meddler. and it would be
all right. And there was q job of keep.
ing the books of the stock company,
which Mr.. POTTER could have on the
side if he wanted it. The manager was
sure that there We're other plays where
Mr.. POTTER could just be himself and
get away with the part.
So Mr.. POTTER accepted the position