Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-31
Come back again when you need me
more"

| Mrs. Heath, IN KlnOly SOII VI way
was beginning to lose patience with
her lodger. She took him up some
breakfast which he had not ordered
and set 1t down firmly before him.
81 only wanted q cup Of tea, Mrs.
HEATH Bliss reminded her, looking
wistfully at the bacon.
Never mind what you wanted. sir,
she replied what I've brought you
you've got to eat, and there's an end
of it. Going out all day looking for
work with nothing solid inside you.
,indeed You know"-she went on in
a manner more conversational than
usual-"you do puzzle me, sir. I can
reckon up most of my dodgers. but
there are times when you fair take
the wind out Of my sails. Three or
four days ago there you were dressed
I'D to the mines and looking as near
like a gent as can be. Now you have
not got rag of those clothes left;
mot a sixpence in your pocket. and, so
as not to run into debt. there you are
trying to live on nothing. Such nom
sense! You're young man OF the
build that needs nourishment, you
are! Sit you down and get on with
your breakfast"
Bliss obeyed without further hesita-
tion.
Its very good Of you, Mrs. Heath
he declared as he helped himself
hungrily to the bacon. Some day"
Don't make any rash promises,
young man. Mrs. Heath Interrupted.
"You will do what you can, know,
but it's clear to see that you're not
brought up to earn your own living,
and it's none to easy Job for them as
has to start unexpected like. There's
young man downstairs" she went
on, "just got a Job at one Of the motor
places. I shouldn't wonder II that
wasn't worth trying, what with all
these taxicabs and such like running
about the streets"
Good idea, Mrs. Heath" Bliss
cried. "I'll 60 round Long Acre way
first thing"
"And here's luck to you. sir!' Mrs.
Heath exclaimed heartily
Bliss presented himself about an
hour lated at one Of the large motor
establishments in Long Acre. The i'm
maculate young gentleman to whom
| he made his application, who was
| lounging about with a cigarette droop-
ing from his lips and his hands IN his
trouser-pockets, shook his head de-
/ cisively.
mo vacancy at ALL he declared.
We've more cleaners than We want
and the Office is full UP. The only
men we are looking for are drivers.
/ Bliss had already turned away when
startling recollection came to him
he himself was a competent driver.
| He swung around.
81 can drive a car, sir" he an
nounced. Gould you give me job
as chauffeur"
"Whom have you driven for?"
Myself" Bliss answered humbly.
III owned car once
The young gentleman looked Bliss
over from head to foot. Then he
pointed to landaulet which stood IN
the center of the immense. garage on
the threshold Of which they were
standing
start the engine up OF that car
he directed, "and back her into num-
Der seven space-between theomn1bus
and the big Napier there
Bliss accomplished the feat some
what to his own satisfaction. The
young gentleman blew whistle. A
foreman came hurrying out.
"Take this chap out and see If he
can drive" he continued. III he can,
arrange about his license and put him
on the staff"
The manager strolled nonchalantly
away. Bliss, who had been struggling
with a sense of "reminiscences, sudden
Nv remembered the morning when ne
; had bought a thousand pound car in
the same place from this same young
gentleman.
Whom have you driven for?" the
foreman asked.
mo one lately" Bliss answered
cautiously. 81 think 1 can manage all
right though. What are we going out
on?"
J The foreman who was a tall. loose
ly-built person, with high cheek-bones
and small narrow eyes, selected
small landaulet and handed Bliss q
tin of petrol.
Fill her up he ordered; have a
look at the plugs, test the sparkling,
and I'll be with you in ten minutes
Bliss did as he was told. Presently
the foreman reappeared, wearing a
coat and muffler.
Climb up and take her Out he
yawned. well go down to Shep-
herds Bush. You know the way"
Bliss nodded He drove on, rather
nervously at>frst, but still without
mishaps. At Shepherds Bush his pas.
senger left him for few moments
while he paid call on his family. AS
they ueared the garage, on their re-
turn journey, the foreman stroked his
chin.
whats the job worth to you,
young man. he asked.
! Bliss was puzzled.
"It's worth good deal to me- he
replied. I've been out of work for
some time, and I've scarcely bob
left" ;,
You'll get thirty shillings week,
the foreman continued.
"Will you agree to give me hve
shillings a week for month If make
! a favorable report? It's the usual
thing"
Bliss sighed.
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