Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-02

"You know" he declared, this
really takes the wind out of my sails,
Bliss. Why, It's only Six or eight
months ago that asked you to lend
me a thousand pounds"
~ know" bliss replied. "and |
very nearly did It,"
"As 1t wouldn't have made any diff.
ference to you at all" Honerton
sighed, II must say that wish you
had. was rather tired of doing moth
ing, and it would have given me q
chance to buy share In wine mer-
chants business. However, it's no
good worrying about that. Yrhe boots
on the other leg now, and we must SEQ
If we can't do something for you.
haven't much 'oof, as you know, but I
fancy that have brains. and I've
helped one or two fellows out of
hole We must see about . Job for
you at once"
81 say, that's very kind Of you,"
Bliss murmured.
Chuck IT," Honerton went on.
ri am not very flush, as l said, but
you've stood me . good many dinners
and other pleasant times in your life,
and thank Heaven ! can still spare
flyer for a pal and never feel it," he
added, his hand stealing toward his
breast-pocket. 80 IL you'll Just say
the word"
Bliss stretched out his hand and
stopped him. Once more he was con.
scious of strange new sensation: a
queer, warm feeling at his heart: the
sense of a real fellowship with others
in the world. who, in the old days, had
seemed like puppets.
Dick Honerton, too. for whom so
few people had good word! What
an amazing world It was after all!
"lt's awfully kind of you, Homer.
ton. old chap" he said. IT know your
address, and II come really dead up
against It I'll remind you Of this. But
I'm not quite on my uppers yet, and
I'm bound to get a job In a few days"
Honerton withdrew his hand little
reluctantly. but not without some in
dications Of relief.
We'll then. he continued. I'VE
must Sc what we can do about that
Job. Seems to me that You are not
looking at this matter In the proper
light, Bliss. There are heaps Of ways
fellow who has crowds OF pals like
you've had can make bit without
taking to mental work.
IT don't call driving car mental
work." Bliss objected.
Honerton shrugged his shoulders.
We'll" he remarked doubtfully,
that's how you like to look at It,"
'It's honest work." Bliss persisted;
"and | used to drive car often enough
for pleasure. Why shouldn't do 1t
for salary, now I've got to earn my
living some way or other?"
Mr.. Honerton fiicked a speck Of
dust from his patent shoes.
swell, one thing against IT," he
pointed out, +" is that you've got to
have a master That can't be very
pleasant for you. Now, don't see
why you cant pick up bit and keep
independent. There's chap I know
in the city--he's Jew, but an awfully
good sort-who buys up cigarettes and
wine and cigars. He won't touch any
thing that isn't good stun, but he gets
them cheap. He's always willing to
allow big commission to any one
who has a clientele and can sell them
for. Those large Cabanas sold you.
Bliss-two hundred bob . box you
gave for them, and real toppers they
from him. You see Pm
not ashamed Of earning bit for my
self that way, If can"
ITS awfully kind of YOU" Bliss
said hesitatingly. II AN not sure.
though. whether should care to show
myself among my old pals"
"Oh. that's all bally nonsense!" Mr..
Honerton declared. III you won't have
the loan | spoke of. I'll see to rigging
you out. What's the good of having
had friends. and having done them all
jolly well when you had the ready, If
you don't make bit OF use Of them
now you're up a tree7"
Bliss shook his head.
"I'd rather enlsrate."
Honerton passed his cigarette.case
to his companion, lit one himself, and
slipped the remainder OF its contents
into the formers pockets.
"I'd like you opinion Of those" he
explained hurriedly you can't tell
what they're like from one. Now,
here's another ides. II you don't fancy
you've got the gifts for selling, what
about keeping your eyes open for some
Of these young fellows about town
with more 'oof than they can do with,
and bringing them to Jacobs for
quiet little futter now and then?
Chemie. you know. on the q. r. It's
worth q flyer or even tenner, any
night, II you can get hold Of the right
sort. And Jacobs will initial your
restaurant bills at two or three places
in town."
Bliss,,shook his head more firmly
than ever.
| couldn't do IT," he insisted frank
ly. Don't you bother about me, Hon.
erton. I'll have to middle through on
my own"
Honerton finished his drink and
sighed.
Well" he observed, you don't
seem an easy chap to- help!'
II am not" Bliss confessed. "Never
mind! II I really get on the beach,
shall drop you line. It's done me
good to have met you this morning
and to have known that you weren't