The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-03-28
UNPAID ACCOUNT
BY VINCENT @. PERRY.
Upright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newsps
Der SVndIcRIel

Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newsps
per syndicatel
IL was monotonous work Ina Walker
was doing. making out accounts for
the month. She had made IL prac
tice TO ind something interesting in
all her work and as she typed each
statement she broke the monotony by
trying 10 draw a mind picture OF each
| person for whom she was making out
bill. She stopped her machine as
she came to a familiar name on the
list-Mr. Lawrence Wright.
Hasn't this Lawrence Wright paid
his bill yet! she asked Mr.. Arm.
strong, the ONCE manager. His sub
scription is nearly three years in ar
rears. and ! have billed him every
month for at least two years"
mo, he hasn't, and don't see any
way OF collecting IT, We have sent a
collector there half dozen times, and
the last time he was nearly thrown
out. There is nothing for IL but 10 keep
rendering the account. That's the way
with these young fellows with more
money than brains. Just try IL your
self, Miss Walker" the head collector
flashed.
II will. and collect II, too, II Mr..
Armstrong will consent" she laughed.
delighted at being able TO rufie the
calm OF the collector.
II am willing" the manager con-
scented. you can start out now II
you like"
Ina had not been quite In earnest,
but she would not withdraw after
making the boast She went back to
her typewriter and worked mechan-
cally until she finished the accounts,
and then unconcernedly put on her hat
and started out to collect the bill. On
the car she tried to remember how she
had pictured Mr.. Lawrence Wright,
but she had pictured him so often, and
each time differently. She would show
him that she could hold her own with
any man, and tell him just what she
thought of him IL she didn't get a
check 10 cover the amount of the bill. !
He lived in fashionable apartment |
house. She envied him that, even |
though he were fat and pompous. She /
rang the bell at the door bearing his |
name plate. The door opened and the
man before her was fat and pompous |
A second glance told her it wasn't Mr..
Wright; 1t was a butler in livery
what name7" asked the butler.
II am from Mr.. James" she said
after a moments hesitation. II was a
bold step, but she felt IL was necessary
TO gain an entrance. After all she was
the president OF the
Times indirectly.
The butler ushered her into the re-
reption room. She waited uneasiiy,
her. eyes taking in the room. 1t was
very rastefully arranged and decorst-
I'd. She hoped Wright would not ap-
pear in bathrobe-men in bathrobes
a beautiful reproduction of
, masterpiece on the wall when a
hight sound told her some one else
vas in the room. She tried TO sink
back In her chair quickly, but realized
n time 1t would be clumsy move,
ind Strengthened up to face tall. q
handsome man. He could not help I
eeing the surprised look on her face, I
,ut she knew he did not know it was I
because she had pictured him as fat
md pompous; she was thankful he :
idn't
Did you wish to see me,' he asked
pleasantly. His voice was In keeping P
With his appearance.
Yes; | have small account here :
or your Times subscription. 1t is just r
fteen dollsrs-for three years, in ar
ears, you know. / would not have
allied, but we have mailed you a bill
nd we thought it likely you had let 1t
lip your notice and would think us
sreless If we did not remind you"
Hasn't this bill been paid7" he ex- HI
aimed in true surprise. 81 will write nj
on out a check at once. This is just al
mother of the bills I find my secre- ia
Try has neglected. For three years tn
ave been leaving my affairs to him, :,
nd he has made muddle of them. XII
elieve | could have done better my
IT," ae
Il am sure you could" Ina said ST
lrnestly. at is a mistake for a man h,
brains to leave his business for ne
hers to do. Goodness knows what "