The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-07-05
The Newconner
~
BY LINCOLN RorHBLUM
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa,
per Syndicate)


pulled in the face of the warm after
noon sun, fingered eager eyes strain
Ing to see all that was to be seen as
the brawny transfers unloaded the
newcomers household belongings.
Moving In Maple square, it must be
understood, was an event. With the
exception of the Sankey's, who had
left as mysteriously and precipitately
as they had come (and the talk about
which had not yet subsidized, though 1t
was two years past), goings and COM
ings were rarities. In fact, the alb
sence of "For Rent" signs had become
a source Of great pride to all the
householders on the square, and II is
little to be wondered that the slim girl
who stood so resolutely on the bottom
step of the former Santley home
should cause such agitated interest.
Mrs. Gregory, wrapper-clad, was al
ready regretting that some married
couple with two or three children and
likely to remain permanently" were
not taking the premises.
AS the piano was laboriously un-
loaded, each watcher came to the con-
clusiOn the newcomer was q piano
teacher, come to turn Maple square
into a workshop. The girl, uncon-
scious Of the hostile sentiment
aroused as If by single connecting
circuit, entered the house and could
be seen through the large bay window
making some effort to create order out
of the chaotic tumble of chairs, boxes
and barrels. AS Grocer McCann's two
boys mounted the steps. dozen
housewives decided their larders
needed replenishing, and Grocer Nc
Cam, knowing his trade, did half
hours rushing business, his tongue
only slowing up when he made
change.
eyes, Mrs. Gregory" he went on,
weighing out niggardly pound Of
dry limas, "she walks in here around
eleven this morning (seems as If she
must've got in on the ten-fifty) and
gives me q good-sized order; asks to
have 1t delivered. was for marking
the bill G. o. d., but she up and pays
me. That's what I'd call q business
woman.
"Shall wrap up some of them
prunes for you, Mrs. Gregory" he
broke Off as he caught that unfortu-
nate lady In the act of sampling one,
81 just opened the box"
Mrs. Gregory nodded unwillingly.
"And are your two boys helping our
new neighbour she asked.
The grocer walked over to the coun-
ter on which he exhibited his stock Of
cheeses. Raising the glass cover, he
waited, knife in midair. "Yes," he
finally answered, as the knife de-
scended with answering accuracy on
fifteen cents worth, "she asked me II
knew a couple of fellows who'd help
her set up the beds and get things
sort Of Strengthened out"
He paused to wipe the knife on his
apron. "She offered to pay well; n
Ed an Ben III be needin' the extra
money with school startin', so I sent
them over. She's right smart wom-
an, and knows a deal about groceries
more as q great many Of married
folks"
Mrs. Gregory tried to look haughtily
offended. Cupping the bags Of limas,
prunes and cheese in the crook Of her
left arm, and gathering her skirts to-
gether with her right, she swept out
of McCann's Cash grocery, secretly
vowing never to set foot In there
again; only on his special Tuesday
sales, when, 1t must be admitted, he
sold, without any qualms of con-
science, nineteen-cent cans Of peaches
marked down to twenty-nine.
The weekly meeting of the Maple
Square Ladies' club had An unusually
large attendance, compelling Mrs.
Gregory, at whose home the club con-
yened that week, hastily to dispatch
her small daughter via the back door
for the loan Of additional china with
which to accommodate her guests.
Mrs. Chandler, president, and very
conscious Of her new green silk dress,
raped for order. Mrs. Chandler liked
TO rap for order. She felt the gavel
lent her dignity. The gavel had been
donated by Mr.. Chandler on his wife's
installation into Office. Thrice elected
president Of the Main Street Business
Mems Association, he understood par
liamentary law and how such things
should be conducted.
But today, neither gavel nor green
silk dress could hush the buzzing
voices and shortly very rufiied Mrs.
Chandler announced the meeting adj
tourned. Mrs. Gregory, emerging from
the kitchen with the china hastily gar
nered. commenced to distribute her
stock supply of cream-cheese-and-
nut-sandwiches, 80 satisfying and easy
TO prepare" as she once confided In
an unguarded moment.
It was Miss Tucker, richer In dollars
than in sense, who fred the first shot.
eve all forgot to suggest our new
neighbor for membership; committee
ought to be appointed to call on her."
Mrs. Chandler did not like the
spinster-she had not liked her, In
fact ever since that lady had looked
with too favorable eyes upon her only
son Walter. "You live next door to