The Meeker herald., 1918-04-06
A Young
Fellow
4
By H. Duncan


&: By H H. Duncan g
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
1 (Copyright. 1917. by the Mcclure Nhwspa-
psr syndicats)
A young fellow started out In real
estate, and real estate. when one Is
young and just beginning. is almost as
barren Of business as the first years
practice of a lawyer. But the young
man had an Office. with his name In
gold leaf on the glass In the door.
/ As he sat In his swivel chair before
the empty roll top desk and eyed the
sign, he became dissatisfied. The let
ters seemed to mock, to tantalize. to
tease him. He determined to lock up
/ the office and go see Florence. Just as
he was about to put his idea into exc
cution, a visitor crossed his threshold.
II was Mr.. Thomas Henry, father Of
/ Florence, and one Of his fathers most
Intimate friends.
I "Mr. Henry, I am glad to see you"
stated the young man cordially. as he
, rose to greet the older man. ut was
GOOD Of you to look In on me-"
II was Just passing" said the elder
man, "and 1 thought would drop in
! for a moments rest. How's business.
Frank"
1 "Neither good nor bad" replied the
young man cheerfully. There isn't
any"
"Ughl That's rather fierce"
| .Oh, don't take 1t seriously. Mr..
Henry" demonstrated the young man.
stunning pity. eth pick up some day.
Tn not a bit discouraged"
.sThat's the way, Frank" approved
Mr.. Henry. "Tm glad to hear that
you're proving-or rather promising to
prove-worthy of your friends. One Of
, them said to me today. He'll make
good. I'll guarantee that he will That's
what one person thought about your
future in real estate"
"Who said that r asked Frank eager
". II didn't know any business man
here In town held that opinion. They
all said the field was overcrowded and
/ that was fool for launching out In
It. Who was her
It was rather awkward for Mr.. Hen
~. He hesitated. ut wasn't exactly d
business man, It was Florence" He
looked keenly at the young man as he
mentioned his daughters name and
smiled. The young man was not at oil
disconnected. On the contrary, he
seemed as much elated as II Thomas A
Edison had been his indorser. OF
course. poor reader, you can't under
stand this, as you don't happen to know
Florence.
"she's mighty dear girl" the youns
man declared. "Do you know. Mr.
Henry. she's all right, even II she ID
your daughter"
Mr.. Henry looked at the young man
for cue. and found him grinning
Frank" declared Mr.. Henry. his brow
wrinkling. "T'm up against 1t. wish
you could help me out on little deal
big deal, rather. But it's hopeless
The most experienced men In the busi.
ness have fallen down on it."
whats the deal. Mr.. Henryr' asked
the young man. "Give me a chance"
"You couldn't do anything" replied
Mr.. Henry rather sharply, sunless II
would he to drug the old man. It's that
jackson block business, Frank. You
know Mr.. jackson. client Of mine
has been wanting that half block for ar
office building site. He's bought every
foot of land from Walnut street cieal
through to the alley. solid half block
all except that little lot on which oil
man Boyd has his shack Of an office
That little one-story shed Is all TIM
stands in the way Of a new building
For my client. I've offered him foul
times as much as the ground Is worth
or will ever be worth. but still he hold,
out. He's jealous Of jackson, that
all. can't get him to give In. rv'
tried every way through all kinds O
people,"
Mr.. Henry stopped and scowled. H,
glanced around the room. scowled a
the empty wastepaper basket. at tn
book shelves. at the filing cabinet, ant
even out the window, where ten-year
old girl, who was passing, very goot
girl, probably, who no doubt help
wine the dishes at home, and take'
care Of her little brother, was badl!
frightened because she thought Mr.
Henry was scowling at her.
Boyd lives Just the other side o
the half block, doesn't he3" asked tn
young man.
"Yes, he does" growled Mr.. Henry
..What has that to do with It'll"
Everything, II it's worked right,
declared Frank. "Do you want M
to buy that twenty feet for you"
"You get . check for thousand dol
lars II you do" promised his friend
land well allow you fifteen for tn
lot"
"Wir you give me a week. Nj
Henryf" The young man was excited
II WILL" replied Mr.. Henry, lookIn