Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-05

ClerkSnlp!
f, The question was brutal, not be-
cause it involved work, but for the
treason that it suggested comparison A
secretary may be- very Important
person. Presidents Of the United States
have secretaries, who are commonly
more important than cabinet othcers.
If they were not. they would be abo,'
ished. A clerk may also be important.
but the title lacks something. There Is
nothing robust or dignihed about 1t.
."Secretary Jones" is a parsonage. even
IL hsris as coiorless and insipid as
warm water. CLERK Smith" Is nobody,
even Il he is large. beefy, and belliger-
ent, with an intellect Of suitable pro-
portions.
Billy Brooke WINGED at the clerk
shin but he did not address himself to
the efficiency man.
you mean to tell me. Connie, that
you're working?"
Certainly"
"You've-quat?" ,shH
mo: begun."
| "But--Connfe!"
Billy found no consolation IN the
eyes of his sister They were cold ami
steady. It was obvious that she was
annoyed at the interruption.
I'VE are still on orders for supplies
she reminded H. Hedge. "ls there
something more under that head :"
Billy faced about and hurried from
the room. He paused in the hall and
drew q deep breath. The Brooke family
was disgraced!
1t did not add to the peace Of Billy's
hA
that, by working, Constance had re-
gained her daily allowance. HIS own
was suspended. pending that time when
he should decide to assume his clerical
duties. Thus the two Brooke sisters
were again in funds. even though Of
limited size. while their brother re-
NAMED penniless.
Billy and Alice hesitated to speak
what was in the mind Of each, but one
day the tacitly maintained wall Of re-
serve broke down, and they unburden-
ed their thoughts in far corner Of the
gymnasium.
SHES quit u.s." said Billy. II hate to
say It, but what else can you make out
Of IT."
Nothing" admitted Alice.
Have you said anything to her
about 1t? asked Billy. after pause.
Alice shook her head.
~ was hoping 1t wouldn't last" she
said. y thought maybe Connie Just
needed little money very badly. ana
that after she got 1t she'd come back
on our side again. So haven't said 4
word. But she seems worse than ever
now
"He was reading to her out of book
this afternoon" growled Billy. Some
thing about cutting out lost motion
What do you know about it,
Alice sighed and made helpless
gesture.
at leaves US out on limb" con-
tinued Billy. ut was three against one
until this started: now it's afty-hfty.
How can we expect to win OUT"
1--WE can't-alone. Connie isn't fair"
do you notice the way they talk to-
gether at the table, just as II we
weren't there? You'd think they'd get
enough OF each other IN the library.
But they're not satisfied with that I
tell you, we're not getting square
DEAL"
We'll, what can We do Billy"
He licked a medicine-ball half way
across the gymnasium floor and strobe
over to a window, as II he might dis.
cover a solution by staring out at the
world.
.'she owes us an explanation, he
announced firmly.
Alice nodded emphatically.
"Why. she owes VS. an apology"
Yes" agreed Alice. After all the
fighting we've done. we ought not to
be treated this way. Not for three dol
lars and thirty-three cents day. any
how"
so far as the money part goes.
you're getting yours growled her
brother. "I don't get jitney.'
~ get mine because I 90 to school
and I'm not supposed to work" re-
torted Alice defensively. ANYHOW,
don't get as much as used to-"
1.-THE least she could do would be to
sput with me. Not that I'd ask her; she
ought to offer it. anyhow" Poverty had
not yet pinched all the pride out OF
Billy. What makes me- mad" he add
ed, us that ID. e. goes around holding
Connie up as model to us. He hands
me that Stun every time he gets an
opening. He'll 20 too far some day
Billy took q swing at the punching
bag, in evident illustration Of his re-
mark The act did not seem to Impress
Alice She remembered the day that
H. Hedge was to be ejected-and
wasn't. Also she remembered the ex-
traordinary Battle of Brooke Court
yard.
Lets talk to her tonight" declared
Billy.
And we'll tell her she hasn't any
right to desert US, particularly after
she signed the declaration with US.
"You notice. though, that she was
the first to quit on it.
That's So" assented Alice. We'll.
anyhow she ought not to quit now. par
ticulariy after what happened at the
party and the day after"
The dissension In tho ranks OF the
Brooke family had. indeed. reached
serious stage when 1t called for the In
stttution of a court Of inquiry by Billy
and Alice. Under normal circum-
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