The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1918-06-29
Earning
a Living
By VICTOR REDCLIFFE

/ family in the state" and ii spoiled him;
not the eminence and reSpectability OF
| the GordOnS, but the pride of tradition,
the ready toleration. and indulgence Of
\ those WHO revered the memory of Cen
eral Alexander Gordon, real hero of
the Civil war. Then, too his mother
was of the Ballentynes, pioneers, and
the granddaughter of a governor.
The family wealth, once extensive,
had been scattered. In a pinching,
wretched way Mrs Gordon remained
in the grand old family mansion, and
even with her faded silks and laces
and obsolete jewelry, reigned queen Of
an exclusive social set. She toiled and
managed behind the scenes until her
daughters were well married off. Then
the tired old soul gave out and ElStOn
was left an orphan. He lived around
with this and that relative gained a
/ good education, came back from coli
| lege elegant and handsome as ever,
and one of his maneuvering relatives
introduced him to Viola Dsane, and he
married her.
AAll A1ANNOlA NAliAVACAN lbNNu NAiN AabN
of his choice there was no doubt.
What was engrafted in mis- nature,
however, 1t was difficult to eradicate.
Elston had never done stroke OF
work In his life. Viola, the only Child
OF rich father, was proud Of her ac-
cOmplished husband, who was Ideal at
tennis, dancing and acting the gener-
Gus host
As natural and unavoidable mat
ter of course, ElstOn went to see Mr..
Deane He made quick work of an
nouncing his situation. The way the
old man burst out upon him was the
first real startler and waking up FL.
ston had ever encountered. The old
man was merciless. When Elston re-
tired from the encounter with the in
furiated tyro he was angry humiliat-
ed and uneasy. Mr.. Deane had in-
formed him that ne was q worthless
spendthrift, had announced definitely
that not one dollar further would be
provided to keeping him in wasteful
idleness.
"In other words, John Deane had
stated, you are a pauper. It's work
or starve, for, until I see you headed
on the road Of industry and economy.
not a cent"
Viola wept when Elston swept into
her presence nightly affronted and in'
dignant. She had no idea that their
monetary affairs were so bad.
Don't antagOnlZe papa, ElstOn,
DEAR" she pleaded. Let us try and
prudent man. We must get down to
common sense and retrench."
"Oh!" shouted Elston, you're getting
tired of me, Ell? And you side with
your father" and, like the impetuous,
irrational being that he was he flung
out of the house, for a week INDUCED
in a riotOus round Of dissipation, and
returned home to find the place vacant.
Eyes, great things have happened
while you have been playing fool" a
close friend told him. you've run
mad career of extravaganza, Gordon,
and you've got to pun up. Old Deane
has pounced down on all your wife had
to pay him back for the money adj
vanced. You deserted her at a criti-
cal moment, and everybody blames you.
She had no one to go to except to her
father, and if you'll take my advice
you will see her, patch up this ridic-
ulOus quarrel, and 20 to work and
show that you are a real man."
what :" cried Elston, "knuckle down
to that old tyrant-never! He's wal
lowing in wealth. and he's humiliat-
ing me because he dislikes me. Say,
I'll go him one better I'll stir up some
Of his ideas ] call his action snap
judgment. He might have given us
little breathing spell mightn't he? Obi
I'll bring him down from his high and
mighty ideas, see if l don't! Then I'll
sue him for alienation Of the affections
of my wife"
you'll lose out, If you do" declared
Elston's adviser.
The town was agOg two days later.
Arrayed in blue jeans driving an old
nag attached to a ramshackly peddler's
wagon. fastidious, exclusive Elston
Gordon drove down the street calling
out Cabbage. Turnlps! Potatoes" !"
He fancied that John Deane would
soon come to terms rather than see
his high-toned son-in-law descend TO
the level Of a common huckster.
But no-the wise old schemer had
his plan as well as Elston, and Viola,
though dismally, was helping him car
ry 1t out. One day after heroically de
livering a peck Of potatoes to a pur-
chaser. EIston came out to the street
TO find Viola dealing out a bunch OF
lettuce. He stared at her in wonder,
for she wore a work apron and hid
eous sunbOnnet.
"See herer' he stammered, but she
rushed at him and wound her arms
about his neck.
ooh. you dear grand man." she
cried. showing the world that you are
no laggard when a crisis comes. Pm
going to help you peddle and isn't it
glorious fun And Wen get a cheap lit
tie place TO live fin. And il will just