The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-12-07
''BABY DOLL
BY PERclvAL MARSH.
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Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper UnionJ
: When Horace Barr announced to his
three spinster sisters that he had at
last accumulated ten thousand dollars
and that it was safe in bank, the SOL
acing complacency filled their souls
that they would never have to starve.
He had gone into buying grain from
nearby farmers and had made money
fast, storing his purchases and ship
ping to the city always on rising
market.
When one day he entered the house
and slapped down on the table pack
age of legal looking documents, with
gloating JUNCTION remarking, There
are the title deeds to house and lot,
free and clear" all hands smiled with
delight, for they knew that perma-
nent roof was assured.
Going to the city to buy an auto
mobile" he announced somewhat later.
Were going to take all the good out
Of life we can get" About a week
later there came telegram to Hor-
tense, the elder sister. 1t read: "Home
Tuesday afternoon by new auto Also
wife," and the flutter this informa-
ton caused kept the three astounded
and suspenseful sisters on tantalizing
hooks through forty-eight hours.
They were kindly of heart, though
having narrow notions in some re-
spects. Horace had been good broth
er and they hoped he had made suit
able choice of helpmeet.
She came and the sisters stared.
They had never seen greater beauty.
Piquant, petite, ever smiling, it could
not be in the heart of any one in the
world to resist her. She daZzled them
with her pretty ways. AS the three
sisters were alone Hortense said with
a sigh: ''She loves Horace, that is
sure. She greets her new home as a
palace She has no relatives, Horace
says so there will be no divided nor
interfering interests. Only five words
express it,"
Speak them, Hortense,' urged
Muriel. ,E -.. --r ... t.-
"She is a baby DOLL" and that set
tied conviction seemed unanimous.
zone thing" spoke Rose, a week
later, Meta is no gadder. She loves
his home.p .T.t t
eyes" echoed Muriel, "and her de-
votion to Horace is almost pathetic"
"And did you ever see such fancy
work as she is capable of doing? sup
plemented Hortense,. and, when the
latter complimented Meta on this fea-
ture the next day., the latter said mod
estly:
Il ought to know something in that
line, for spent three years as an APP
prentice, You see, artificial flower
making is my trade.''
Trader mildly Hortense echoed
the jarring word.
"Well, it is scarcely profession, is
itg smiled Meta sweetly. "You see.
when your brother fiyst met me l had
become forewoman in a millinery sup
ply house. They say had become
an expert, so if ever dear Horace has
business reyerses we have something
to fall back upon"
The reyerses came. A Shrewd, none
too scrupulous grain buyer appeared
as rival in the field and Horace be-
gan to lose trade. He made some I'M
lucky purchases. In six months his
surplus at the bank was gone. A lit
tie later he had to mortgage the home
and sell The automobile. Then he had
a serious breakdown.
SISTERS" said Meta one day, the
time has come for us to show our
mettle. l want you, Hortense, to go
to <Qe city tomorrow to help me buy
some stock. l am going to start into
the artificial flower business in a mod
est way. l know the line. l know
the trade, and know further that in
side of week you three can become
experts with all your quick ideas and
industry and niftiness."
SO Meta took Hortense with her to
the city and spent week studying the
market. She had some money of her
own and SHE invested 1t unhesitating-
~. She purchased ribbons and sheets
of silk, and satin and other fabrics
used in making pretty floral counter
feits. She bought dies, and wire and
tools. BY the end of two weeks the
big parlors were transformed into busy
work rooms System and order pre-
vailed. A thorough business woman
Meta had an immediate outlet for her
wares. Horace, recuperating, MUIR
INJURED over his uselessness.
"Ready to work?" questioned Meta
brightly. every well, First, you shall
help pack and ship. Then you shall
keep the books. Then, dear, as soon
as we are well started, instead of SELL
ing to the jobbers you shall be our
travelling salesman. We will work up
direct clients of our own and make
double profit. Why, the business will
be IDEAL"
'How cozy it has been, and how
nice" said Hortense one day, year
later. The mortgage had been paid
off and they had a new automobile
and money in bank. The business
had grown so that work rooms down