Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-17
CHAPTER X.
W. n NAfLA DAa

"Thats right isn't it, Mrs. Heath?
Bliss asked, with an attempt at cheer
fitness. Nineteen and sevenpence
and little enough for all you've done
for me-"
She looked at him doubtfully.
"The amounts quite correct, sir,
she said, "but, If you'll pardon m!
making the remark, what about your
self? That amt left you much II
you pocket for your dinner or suct
like
Bliss jingled three pennies and two
half-pennies in his trouser-pocket witt
great effect
1--WE got enough for dinner, at any
rate" he assured her, "and I've sort
of feeling that shall get job today
Mrs. Heath sighed as she took w
the tray.
"If you'd like to leave shilling OF
two of the rent, sir she began.
mot on your life Bliss interruted
'Its Monday today, Mrs. Heath. and
Monday has always been my lucky
day"
"Shall you go round to smithson S
| again, sir?" Mrs. Heath inquired.
Bliss left off jingling his money
The lowest fee payable at smithson's
was half-a-crown.
I'm not quite sure" he answered
obviously "They send me off on
lot of useless errands. rather thought
Of strolling round and CHANGING my
luck"
Never thought Of trying one OF
them labor bureaus, suppose, sir?"
Mr. Heath irnujrod
Jolly good idea," Bliss replied. TAX
Ing up his hat. I'm sick of Smith
sons anyway"
He went down stairs whistling,
| though his footsteps dragged little
as he turned into the street. 1t seemed
to him that he had lived through an
eternity of ugly, cherries days. His
environment depressed him continu-
ally.
Curiously enough, much Of his nerv-
BUSINESS had departed, but 1t had
given place, at times, to genuine
weakness. The thought Of that long
chain Of days to come seemed some
times intolerable.
He presented himself at the nearest
labor bureau and started away from
It, few minutes later, with an ad-
dress upon a piece Of paper and a
rival applicant in hot pursuit. The
latter, however, became associated
with street broil on the way, and
was delayed by the subsequent festiv-
tiles.
Bliss, therefore, reached the small
green-grocer's shop alone, and was in
terviewed by bold. untidy-looking
female, the remnants Of whose good
looks were painfully affected by the
meagerness Of her habiliments.
She paused in her task of opening a
sack of potatoes as Bliss entered, a
little out of breath.
"Wot cher want?" she demanded.
"Are you Mrs. MOTIF" Bliss asked
eagerly. 'I've come from the labor
bureau about that job
down.
"Tm Mrs. Mott. right enough, she
admitted, "but l dunno as you'd suit.
You don't look as though you could
lift sack Of feathers, much more a
sack Of potatoes
II can lift as much as most men Of
my size and weight" Bliss assured
her. Il can drive cart, too, which I
believe. is one of the requirements
The woman scrutinized him curl
ously. 1t was only few days since
he had left the employ of Mr.. Cocker
Ill. and the attire which would have
amazed his friends in Piccadilly was
distinctly neat in Poplar.
Don't seem to me as though you'd
be able to tackle the job she
grumbled. There's more to do than
driving round to folks houses and
flirting with the servants"
I'm afraid Bliss confessed, IT
cannot say have held a similar posi-
ton; but II you will tell me what to
do, I'll do my best. l can promise you
that win not waste my time in the
er-manner you suggest"
Where was you last?' the lady
asked, turning little away and COM
with an affectation Of unconcern.
II was light porter in the employ OF
q gentleman named Cockerill," Bliss
4eplied.
well, there is not much light por-
tering about this job" Mrs. Mott as
SVIcu ILL., WlCc d WSch you VIC
got to be with the cart in Covent Gar
den at four o'clock in the morning"
Il have often been up at that hour"
Bliss murmured, "even in Covent
Garden
She locked at him thoughtfully,
struggling all the time to conceal her
marked predisposition in his favor.
"P'r'aps you might do" she said
doubtfully "Yor see, I'm in bit Of
q ole. My mans left me sudden like
gone of without word, the beast!
And ere am l with the business on
my 'ands, and no one to feed the pony
nor nothing"
"You must allow me to do that for
you, whether you engage me or not"
ventured Bliss.
What sort of wages mught you be
wanting?" the woman inquired.
Bliss hesitated.
What did you think of giving?'' he
asked.
you get a bed in the loft at the
back" she explained. ITS nothing
much Of a place; but If the weather
comes on colder, dunno as you