Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-31

West Side in Hillerton, You'll soon find
that out"
mo doubt. no doubt And your
mother Blaisdel's surname" Mr..
Smiths pencil was poised over the open
notebook.
surname? Mother Blaisdells? Oh
before she was married. | see. But,
dear me. | don't know. ! suppose jim
will, or Flora. or maybe Frank--though
| don't believe he will. unless her folks
kept groceries. Did yon ever see any
body that didn't know anything but
groceries like Frank BIaisdell! Inc
heavy shoulders with an expressive
Mr.. Smith smiled understandingly. =,
"Oh, well. it's good-to be interested
in ones business, you know.
But such business" murmured the
lady. with another shrug
Then you can't tell me Mrs. Rufus
Blaisdells surname"
mo. But Jim-Oh. I'll tell you who
will know" she broke off interestedly; 4;
and that's Maggie Duff. You saw her
here a few minutes ago, you know
Father Duf's got all of Mother Blais-
delrs papers and diaries. Oh, Maggie
can tell you lot of things. Poor
Maggie! Benny says if we want any
thing we ask Aunt Maggie, and don't
know but he's right And here ] am,
sending you to her, so soon.
Very well, then" smiled Mr., Smith.
Il don't see but what | shall nave 10
interview Miss Maggie, and Miss Flora.
Is there nothing more, then, that you
can tell me"'
We'll there's Fred. my son. You
haven't seen him yet. We're very proud
of Fred. He's at the head of his
class. end he's going to college and be
lawyer. And that's another reason
why / wanted to come over to this
GIDEON Freds account. | want him
TO meet the right sort OF people. You
q
going to have Fred big man some
"And he was born. when?" Mr.
Smiths pencil was still poised above ar
almost entirely blank page.
Hes seventeen. He'll be eighteer
the 10th of next month.
And Miss Bessie, and Benny
oh. she's sixteen; She'll be @ sey;
oat then, brt / think shall .wait-.s
little, she's so very young; though Gussi'
Pennock's out. and she's only seven
teen. and the Pennocks are some of ou
very hest people. They're the riches
folks in town. you know.
And Kenny was born-when?'
Hes eight-or rather nine, next Tues
day Dear me, Mr.. Smith: don't .yo'
waEt anything but dates? They re tire
old. you know. and it shows up hoy
many years you've been married. Don
you think so? But maybe you're
| bachelor"
yes. I'm a bachelor"
Are You indeed? Well, you miss
| lo-, oc cCLrse,-home and wife and chill
dren. Still you gain some things. fo'
arn't tied down. and you don't have 8
much to worry about. Is your mothe
living, or your father"
mo. ] have no--near relatives" MI
Smith stirred. a, little uneasily. am
adjusted his book. Perhaps, now, Mrs
Blaisdell. you can give me your owl
maiden name"
"Oh, yes. can give you that :" sh
laughed and bridled self-consciousll
But you needn't ask when | was borr
for | shan't tell you, If you do. NJ
name was Hattie Snow
Harriet l presume" Mr., Smith
pencil was busily at work.
, "Yes-Harriet Snow. And the Snow
were just as good as the Blaisdells, If
do say It,. There were lot that want
Smith" She laughed. and bridled agai
self-consciously.. But I took Jim. II
was handsome then. very-big dark eye
and dark hair, and so dreamy and pc
t etical-looking; and there wasn't gil
he's been good husband to me. T
, be sure, he isn't quite So ambitious a
he might be. perhaps. ] always di
believe in being somebody. and gettin
always for hanging back and saying no
much it'll cost. Then to one he doesn
end up by saying we can't afford /
, He's like Jane-Frank's wife, wher
you board, you know--only James wors
than Jim ever thought of being. Sh
,, won't spend even what she's got.
she's got ten dollars she won't spen
> but five cents. If she can help it. Nov
believe in taking some comfort as yo
; go along. But Jane-greatest saver,
Smith, that she doesn't try to say
feeding you at all ~ she finished merrill.