Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-28

in its general way, was coarse face
generally covered with the beginnings
of a stubby beard, which were only re.
moved at odd times during the week
| He, too, however, showed at that
moment the common capacity for SUI.
ferihg. His lips were trembling lit.
tie. His shoulders had dropped. He
seemed to have aged, to have lost
something of the coarse vitality which
with him had meant strength. He
looked at Bliss duly for moment.
"This Is the young chap who sells
the heels" he said to the woman.
you've heard me speak of him. My
missis, Bliss"
Bliss shook hands mechanically
"No bad news, I hope?"
tits scandalous bit of bad news"
the woman replied, patting her hus-
band on the shoulder, "but don't get
knocked down by it Amos. Well go
and see these people together"
Bliss removed his hat and set down
his bag.
May I know what it's all about?"
he inquired.
mo harm, as can see, nor any
secret about it, Mr.. Morgan de-
clared, throwing a piece of paper to.
ward, 3liss. "You knew that the big
machine wasn't paid for. It's been all
I could do lately to pay cash for the
leather, though I'm not saying that
we're not making a nice little profit
on the heels. You see what the engi-
neers say, though-they, are going to
remove the machine tomorrow am
only a fortnight behind, but I've paid
forty pounds on the thing, and the
brutes collar that
Can they do it," Bliss asked in.
credulously.
Mr.. Morgan nodded.
"They can," he replied. II always
knew that there was a risk II got a
bit behind. Ninety.seven pounds it is
I'm broke, Bliss. Sorry, as we were
getting on so well together I'm
sorry. too, for the old woman's sake"
he sighed, patting her hand. We've
had the DEVILS own luck, both over in
the States and here, but this time it
did seem as though we might have
won through. Six months more of the
business I'm doing, and could have
paid for the machine and put another
in. There's no one understands this
trade as / do, and there's money In
It,"
'1s it any use going to see these
people? ~ Bliss asked.
None" Mr.. Morgan answered
gloomily "The manager brought this
notice round himself"
"A beast of a man" the woman de-
clared "He listened to all Amos and
l had to say, and just smiled. The
money or the machine tomorrow at
twelve o'clock! Never mind, Amos
she went on, with an attempt at cheer
fulness, you'll just have to make an
other start, and that's all there is
about It,"
He looked lifelessly down at the
desk.
I'm too DID," he muttered. "This
time I'm broken, Harriet"
Bliss experienced a queer sensation
which had sometimes stolen into his
during these last few,
Life was no longer pro-
cession of mirrored days. He felt
himself breathing a real atmosphere,
his feet upon the earth. in intimate
touch with the Joys and sorrows of
live men and women.
There was little lump in his
throat, hot feeling behind his eyes.
and suddenly wave Of exquisite
pleasure.
LOOK, here.' he said, 1--WE got an
idea, Mr.. Morgan. If you'll just step
along with me as usual for a minute,
we'll see what can be done"
Mr. Morgan shook his head.
81 guess beer would choke me to-
night"
"You come right along" his wife
insisted briskly, land If I'm not in
the way, glass of stout is just what
! should like. Well hear what the
young man has to say, Amos
ON DDIr nE