The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-03-15
TIE nTyA112 STJcK
BY J. X. WARD.

- r'ot>e
Mr.. Clark was twenty-three years
old and held an official position in the
electric light company of the town,
Miss May was two years younger. and
was a daughter Of a well-to-do con-
tractor. The two young people ap.
pcared to take a liking to each other
at first sight. and, when the evening
was over. Mr.. Clark was made happy
by receiving permission to call at her
fathers house. He availed himself OF
the privilege and in the course of the
next three months he had become q
steady caller. There was no engage
ment yet. but the father and mother
liked him and showed their liking, and
he considered the battle rs won.
How little we know what the future
has in store for us! One morning Mr.
Clark woke up, whistling a tune and
feeling happy. but us he glanced at the
morning paper, before going down to
his office, he felt his hair trying to
climb on end. There vas a sensational
half-column about Frank E. Clark, the
gist of which read:
"A young man named Frank E. Clark
got drunk and t%erroriZed part of the
Fourth ward last night, and was not
arrested until the police had made free
use of their clubs. He. first appeared
at the corner of Welcome and Duane
streets, and there he smashed in a pane
of glass and began w%hooping and yell
Ing like a Sioux Indian. He smashed
into other windows, caused a horse to
run away, and was carrying under his
arm an automaton, which he had
picked up in front of a dressnlaker's
show, when the police descended upon
him."
About the time Mr.. Clark was read.
ing this and gasring for breath. Mr..
Orr, the contractor, a also reading
1t and feeling various feelings. When
he had finished his reading, he called
to his daughter May and put the paper
into her hands. When she had also
read the article, he sneeringly ex-
claimed:
Nice sort of a young man to come
into II family! I want no more Of
him around this house,"
mo one wants any more Of him
around" was the indignant reply. HE
may call and try to explain, but no ex
plantations will be accepted. l am glad
found him out before it Was too late"
Young Mr.. Clark was sure that the
newspaper would fall into the hands of
the girl he loved, and it was a long day
for him. He meant to call that eve.
ming and see what damage had been
done and make full explanations. He
was ut the contractors house half an
hour before the usual time, and hE
ring at the door was answered by
Miss Mays father himself. The OLD
man a looking very grim, and was
all prepared to say:
what the devil brings you here.
young man? should think you would
be ashamed to show your face among
decent people! Get right off these
steps before I apply the boot to you =
Mr.. Clark not only got off the steps
but off the entire premises. He could
have explained the matter, then and
there, but he rather lost his presence
of mind with the shadow of the con.
tractors number ten shoe hanging ovel
him. He went away to write a letter
to Miss May, which he sent by Il mes
senger boy; but it was returned un,
opened. He lost considerable time seek
ing to meet the girl in the street, hui
they did not meet. Two weeks passed
weeks of almost mortal agony to tho
young man. Then Providence gave hin
his chance. He had business on one
of the floors CT a skyscraper. Miss
May Orr had business on one of thu
floors of that same building. He fol
lowed her into an elevator, waiting tt
ascend, and neither recognized the 9th
er until the cage had traversed a dis
lance of three floors and a half. Their,
it suddenly stopped. The boy who wa!
running it called out: "Gosh hang /
all; we are stuck!"
There was no disputing the fact. n,
pulled on the rope and the cage did no
move. He sighed and looked HELPLESS
but that did not mend matters. l
was then that Miss May and Mr.. Clarl
recognized each other. They both CAV
a sudden start and the girl turned he
back on the young man. He was
young man to seize golden opportuni
ties. This was one, and he seized it.
Miss Orr, you are doing me a grea
injustice" he began, and it did not en-
courage him when she replied:
II will not hear q single word fron
you"
my name," he continued, lis Fran
f. Clark. There happens to be no les
than five Frank E. Clarks in the cit
directory. have had the thing locke,
up and it was Frank Il. Clark, th
blacksmith, who raised that disgrace
full row. The paper that published tn
affair is to make an apology tomorrow
/ was never drunk in my life. l neye
smashed a window. l never carried q,
'automaton around under my arm.
could have explained all this in five mir
utes, but you would not let me iustif
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