The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-17
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Robbie, General Manager"
Nest Week
"1he Long Portage"
by
HAROLD BlNDLoSS
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ant letter 90 me was about Usual
~ he wrote to Alec. but this time
he appealed To me This ~ what
the letter said.
Dear Bobblo
This 10 very important. I'm
writing to you because you have In
fluenee with Alec, and you'G got to
uso u. Alec doesn't seem 10 re
allfe the demands on a man down
here. When no and Tom were at
college they had all the money they
wanted. and they don't In the least
understand the mighty cmbarras-
slng position II puts fellow In TO
have no cash. get pretty sick OF
sponalna. tleo's getting mighty
close lately, and every time he
sends me my measly monthly al
lowsneo he seems TO think ia q
good chance to droll out a sermon
on economy. Economy heavens.
I've been 10 some OF the s~ellest
danees that are given In a hired
dress-sult OF course. I had 20 have
some evening clothes. You would
know that.
NOW look here. Bobbie. II so
happens that I've got TO have some
THING that resembles a hundred
dollars. Don't Jump. III pay u all
bsek--every cent. But ia serious.
and must have u. II you can't
GET II from Alec. can't you borrow
II out OF the Household Account
lei at I'll
make IL right with you In week
or 30. and bo more than grateful.
your aree,lonate brother,
OLIVER"
"P. 8.
Don't let Malcolm know I need
this money. nor tell Alec whs. you
want u for. And. by the way,
must have seventyflve OF the hun
dred BY December at the latest
absolutely. Understand. this 10 no
ordinary matter. n don't Get the
money somehow u Will mean public
disgrace. Comprener-sousw
Now. oliver knew as well as |
that we were drcAdfully poor.
Ever since Father died. Alec had
made Il very plain 10 rs that We
we're on the ragged edge OF finan.
cial disaster When Alec took hold
Of the reina at Fathers wooden
mills he found things In a pretty
bad condition. ] guess
II was Just before the twins vent
TO college that We were all put on
an allowance.
4, the same time tlec also ar.
ranged a household allowance. and
! was very proud when he appoint.
cd me keeper OF the household Ac-
| count
Ito Impressed upon mo again and
again IN. absolute necessity 81
keeping the Household Account
separate from my own He told
me. Ia a long talk. how aWfully dis
honest IL would De II ever used
single cent 81 that deposit for any.
thing but household expenses.
So you see that when oliver Hug
gcHtcd my borrowing from the
Household Account II was entirely
out OF tho range OF possibility to
consider such a thing
felt sorry for oliver. knew
exactly how much no must have
wanted a drcss-suii II seemed TO
mo a perfect shame TO have two
corkinE fellows like tho twins
cheated out % friends and good
times and popularity-like myself
NJ Observation-Disclosures they
couldn't afford tho proper clothes
or paw their shares on spreads and
theatre parties.
\ hundred dollars was an awful
lot. but put divers letter into
my work bag tho evening OF the
| day Il came and went down into
the sitting room after supper 20 Join
Alec hy the droplight on fathers
dcsk.
"Bobbic. want to talk wlth you"
no said.
An right" replied gladly. Go
on Perhaps. thought 10 myself.
there Will be chance TO introduce
divers letter
Alec folded his hands on the
slide Of the desk drawn out he.
tween us.
Were spending too much
money he said simply
What dn YOU mean asked.
dropping my work in my lap.
"Bohhie." Alec said. perhaps YOU
will understand the seriousness OF
the situation when tell you that