Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-08-21
TED'S ORDEAL
BY LESTER BLOOM
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, .n1

4 70 H..
been waiting for him. ''''
Ted waited miserably in tba roo..
ton room while the butler went =, ~
nounce his important business ~.
rather envied little Silbon who vas
getting off light. What was simrIot
ing an epileptic fit in a crowded A.
goods store to trying to sell the mos.
luxurious liver in town a COW Of 0T y,s
Simple Life?" N'
The committee on initiation
been most ingenious this year Tho
tasks they allotted the candidates.
were positively fiendish. but 70 ordo.
him to seek. to sell copy of that boo,.
to Chester Alderman seemed TO invite
him to self-destruction.
Nervously he followed the hr+Io,
down the long hall and into the lthrorv
Alderman looked up at his entrance
What can I do for you?" he asked
sharply.
Il have a book" explained Ted "TfQ
very celebrated book and I tbougbt
you might like to buy copy"
"a book agent!" Numbered Ackar.
man as he reached for the bell.
"See here" pleaded Ted. "GivA ma
chance. Here is a book that every.
ones been talking about"
Don't want it," snapped Alderman
'Have look, anyway" insisted
Ted. TITS The Simple Life;' the book
that the president thought was sucb
hot stuff. I'll bet you've never read
it and yet it's been talked about for
the last two years. You never did
read it, did your"
mo. And I'm not going to now" de-
clared Alderman. "If 1 thought YOU
meant that needed to read that"
"You do ned to-" reiterated Ted.
mot the way you mean, but because a E
man needs to keep posted. By your
own admission, you're two years be-
hind. You can have a laugh, any.
way"
He held the book invitingly toward
his victim and almost UncOnsciOuSly
Alderman took it. He glanced over
the pages with an occasional grunt.
He was by no means an exponent of
the simple life, and he found much to
deride.
Didn't I tell you it was good for
laugh?" insisted Ted. Alderman look
ed up with a smile.
"How much is ito" he demanded.
"You can satisfy your pride with the
knowledge that you're the first book
agent that ever sold me anything"
SIN that case make it a dollar" sug
gested Ted. 'Thanks. Good morning
I can find my own way out"
He was gone before Alderman could
ring, elated over his success and de-
voutly thankful that he had not beea
thrown out. He was just opening tha
front door when a girl came running
down the stairs.
"Mr. Hammond?" she cried Ted i
turned.
'Miss Drury!" he gasped. 'Whaf
brings you here?" FL
''Mr. Alderman is my guardian" sne
explained. 81 thought that perhaps
She caught herself with blush.
"No," said Ted. "That was not
You and your party left the Point
suddenly that I could get no trace
you. The fact is that was in selnn
Mr.. Alderman a book"
"You are a book agent" she crle
In shocked surprise.
Amateur" he explained "ln1
want to make me feel properly hunY
before they admit me to fellowship
the fraternity. I had to sell copy
THE Simple Life"
"To Uncle Chester% she cr
"How did you ever do it?"
ST don't know myself" he admll
frankly. "There are three Of the co
mittee outside now waiting 10 SET
thrown down the steps. ] dld nO'
pect to disappoint them"
ST could call the butler" she
gested. -
"No, thanks. If you will permI
I'll take another chance WIFI
uncle"
sHow." she asked curiouslH
"You know what / wis trying u ~,
you last summer" he said DoluS'
left before I could propose | was
am, conceited enough to think tna'
do care for me. May go in anu anu
his consent to our marriage VI"
graduate" .rotostsf
mot a bit of it. I've been ID y ID
months getting it out 'iiDr
had notice enough" -,.,roai "a
His eyes pleaded more elos sSs
than his tongue, and blushlnsi5, o n
her face on his shoulder as CIV
pered Eyes" ,,4 rordl
Chester rSt Alderman sSeDna was shocked ~ y
his accustomed placldityZ,,, q. ana tir5s
second time Ted won / , ina
pleading was far more elo{ gpt at
could not go away at on''