Omaha daily bee., 1918-09-15
THE STORY THUS FAR.
CHAPTER XXI.
Sympathies Misplaced,


The first time Mr.. Smith saw Frank
Blaisdell, after Miss Maggie's news of
the $4,000 loss, he tried somewhat
awkwardly. to express his interest
and sympathy. But Frank Blaisdell
cut him short.
That's all right, and thank YOU"
he cried heartily. "And l know most
folks would think losing $4,000 was
about as bad as it could be. Jane,
now. is all worked up over it; can't
sleep nights, and has gone back to
turning down the gas and eating sour
cream SOS to save and help make it
up. But mel call it the best thing
that ever happened"
well, really" laughed Mr.. Smith
I'm sure that's very delightful way
to look at tiff you can"
well, lean; and I'll tell you why.
It's put me back where l belong-be-
hind the counter of a grocery store.
I've bought out the old stand. Oh. I
had enough left for that, and more |!
Closed the deal last night. CORY, but
I was glad to feel the old floor under
my feet again"
But l thought you-you were tired
of work, and-wanted to enjoy your
SELF" stammered Mr.. Smith. Frank
Blaisdell laughed.
Tired of work-wanted to enjoy
myself, indeed! Yes, l know l did say
something like that. But, let me tell
you this, Mr.. Smith. Talk about work!
i never worked so hard in my life as
| have the last 10 months trying to
enjoy myself. How these folks can
stand gadding round the country
week in and week out, feeding their
stomachs on a French dictionary in
stead of good United States meat
and potatoes and squash, and spend
ing their days traipsing off to see
things they amt mite interested in
and their nights trying to get rested
so they can go and see some more
the next day, don't understand"
Mr.. Smith chuckled.
"I'm afraid these touring agencies
wouldn't like to have you write their
ads for them, Mr.. Blaisdell"
Well, they hadn't better ask me
to-" smiled the other grmly. But that
amt all. Since | come back I've been
working even harder trying to enjoy
myself here at home-knockin' silly
little balls over a 10-acre lot in
game a healthy 10-year-old boy
would scorn to play"
But how about your new carr
Didn't you enjoy riding in that%
bantered Mr.. Smith.
"Oh, yes, enjoyed the riding we'll
enough; but | didn't enjoy hunting
for punctures, putting on new tires,
or burrowing into the inside OF the
critter to find out why she didn't
gol And that's what | was doing most
Of the time. ! never did like machin-
cry. 1t amt in my line.
He paused moment, then went
on a little wistfully.
II suspect, MFR. Smith, there amt
anything in my line but groceries.
It's all / know. It's all I ever have
known. lift | had my life OF live
over again, I'd do different, maybe.
I'D see II | couldn't find out what
there was in a picture TO make folks
stand and stare at il an hour at a
time when you could see the whole
thing in a minute-and il want worth
lookin' at, anyway, even for min
ute. And music. too. Now. I like a
good tune what is a tune; but them
caterwaulings and dirges that that
chap Gray plays on that fiddle OF
his-gorry, Mr.. Smith. I'd rather hear
the old barn door at home squeak
any day. But ii | was younger, ia
try 20 learn 20 ike EN-. would
Look At Flora. She can set BY the
hour IN front Of that phonograph OF
hers. aud not know
Yes. | know smiled MI smith
Mad there's books, too" resumed
the other, stili wistiully. I'D read
books-if could stay awake long
enough 20 do It-and Ed mad out
what there was in 'sal to make a good
sensible man Ike Jim B'asdell daft
over 'sm--snd Maggie Duff. too.
Why, that little woman used 10 go
hungry sometimes when she vas a
art. 80 she could bay q book she
wanted { know she Did Nhy. "a
a gwen anything this ast wear u
Z could q got Interested really 90
arrested, Esadia | Sould a Nlllsd en-