Jackson County journal., 1919-11-28
A Steam Shovelier
BY R. RAY BAKER
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)


paper syndicate.)
There is no accounting for the
tastes of some women when it comes
to men," Glenquist observed, fiicking
the ashes from his cigar. Maybe it's
their intuition" he added, drawing his
lungs full of smoke and exhaling
through his nose.
The lawyer appeared more than usu-
ally loquacious this evening. He had
reputation for being rather taciturn
when he was not in court, but with me
he always threw off the cloak of re-
serve and chatted freely
During our after-dinner chats, which
always took place in his office on the
seventh floor of the Boltwood build
ing, we had decided the fate Of boi-
shevism, solved the problem Of H. G.
L., settled the railroad ownership is
sue and thoroughly threshed out the
osOphy, spirltualism and new thought
Yes, we were congenial souls, were
Glenquist and |.
AS yet we had never discussed the
most perple1ing problem of the ages
love. Maybe it was because we
were both confirmed bachelors and did
not feel in a position to talk authori-
tatively on the question. However, the
marriage Of mutual friend had
brought the matter before us this eve
ming, and casually I had inquired
why Glenquist had never selected a
| lifelong companion.
Suppose you tell your story" he
| suggested when I broached the sub
| ject. 'Then I'll burden you with
mine"
"1'll burden you with no story" 1
replied. There's no story to 1t. I
just naturally didn't take to the fair
sex, or rather they didn't take to me.
l guess 1t was mutual. Have you
story?"
For moment he did not reply, and
when he broke the silence it was to ut
ter the words that opened this tale.
| Furthermore" he went on. 'it is
strange that brains do not appear to
be considered much of an asset to
man when he asks a woman to become
his wife. At least that is the case
with some women, and very good,
bright and capable women, too,
mean. Perhaps, as l say, it Is their
Intuition, or their ability to see far
ahead
I'm my case, perhaps, deluded my
self into thinking l had brains Maybe
l mstook my education for gray mat
ter. Yes there is difference. A man
may be fairly well educated and still
lack an adequate amount of brains.
On the other hand. without being con-
ceited. 1T seems that I may claim to
having at least normal supply Of
thinking machinery. l am what YOU
would call successful criminal law
yer.
Il was terribly fond of Cassie We'll
don SIX years ago. This was my home
town, and also hers. We were class
mates in high school, and when we
were graduated I went to the uniyer-
sity and she became a typist in real
estate office. During our last year in
high school we had become very close
ly associated in social work and be-
fore we realized it were keeping
steady company.
when l was at college we corre-
sponded regularly, and it seemed to
me that she cared almost as much for
me as | for her. I pictured her pre-
siding in nice little home when I got
started on the road to success in nv
chosen profession, and although T did
not broach the subject, l felt con-
v1nced she would see it that way.
Perhaps | was somewhat egotistical
but really I do not believe it was that.
10 be sure, | was proud of the show.
ing l was making in my studies and
very hopeful Of the future.
whenever I came home she pro.
fessed to be happy over being with
me, and l really believe she was. Our
Iavorlte paStlme was walks in the
woods with a camera, and 1 must con.
TESS that, deep down in a trunk, I still
have number Of those snaps. Just
for fun, think I'll dig down and take
squint at them tomorrow.
'Things went on like this for some
time, and 1 am sure that she did no,
keep company with any other partic
ular fellow, although she occasionally
went to dances and other entertain
ments with some male acquaintance
who happened along and needed ,
partner for some special social event
This was only to be expected. seein1
that we were not engaged and it no
being natural for a young girl to STAY
at home and spend her evenings read
ing Robinson Crusoe' and Red Ridin.
Hood