Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-10-02

HducCus
But still-well, / suppose I'm a
little Old-fashioned and fastidious, but
I'm afraid being a sort of engine
driver never will appeal to me,
mother. It's exciting, and I'd like that
part of it. but still 1t doesn't seem to
me precisely the thing a gentleman
ought to do. Too much overalls and
monkey wrenches and grease! No; l
believe I'd rather wait for September
and a tandem, mother"
Nevertheless George sometimes con-
scented to sit in an automobile, while
waiting for September, and he fire.
quently went driving in one of Eu-
gene. cars with Lucy and her father.
He even allowed himself to be escort
ed with his mother and Fanny through
the growing factory. which vas now,
as the foreman of the paint shop in
formed the visitors. turning out a car
and a quarter a day"
From the factory Eugene took them
to lunch at a new restaurant, just
opened in the town, a place which sur
prised Isabel with it's metropolitan
air. and. though George made fun OF
her, in a whisper, she offered every.
thing the tribute of pleased exelama.
tons; and her gayety helped Eugene's
to make the little occasion almost q
festive one.
Georges ennui disappeared in spite
Of himself, and he laughed to see his
mother in such spirits. 81 didn't know
mineral waters could go to a persons
head" he said. "Or perhaps it's thi;
place. 1t might pay to have a new res
taurant opened somewhere in tow
every time you get the blues"
NO." Isabel said, "what makes me
laugh SO much at nothing is Eugene
factory. Wouldn't anybody be delight
ed to see an old friend take an ide;
out of the air like that-an idea tina
most people laughed at him for
wouldn't any old friend of his b.
happy to see how he'd made his ide;
into such a splendid, humming thin
as that factory-all shiny steel, click
ing, buzzing away, and with all thos'
workmen, such muscled-looking me
and yet so intelligent looking? It
beautiful to see such a thing" sh
said. "It makes us all happy, dear oil,
Eugene!"
And with a brave gesture sh
| cfnofOhn6 out har hand 40 him onrAc
the small table. He took it quickly
giving her a look in which his laughte
tried to remain but vanished before
gratitude threatening to become, emo
tional in spite of him. Isabel, how
ever, turned instantly to Fanny. Civ
him your hand, Fanny" she said gay
ly; and as Fanny mechanical
obeyed, "Therew Isabel cried. q
brother George were here, Eugen
would have his three oldest and bes
friends congratulating him all at one
We know what brother George think
about it, though. It's just beautiful
Eugene!"
Lucy leaned toward George an
whispered, did you ever see anythin
so lovely? 2"
"As what?" George inquired, ne
because he misunderstood but b.
cause he wished to prolong the pleas
ant neighborliness of whispering.
"As your mother! Think of her d,
ing that! She's a darling! An
papa"-here she imperfectly represse
a tendency to laugh-"papa looks a
if he were either going to explode {
utter loud sobsr
Eugene commanded his feature
however, and they resumed their GU
tomary apprehensiveness. Il used
write verses" he said-''if you remen
ber-'
YES" Isabel interrupted gently.
remember"
Il don't recall that I've written an
for twenty years or so," he continue
"But I'm almost thinking l could q
it again, to thank you for making
factory visit into such a kind eel
bration."
"Gracious" Lucy whispered, gil
Cling. AREN'T they sentimental !"
people that age always are
George returned. "They get sentimel
tai over anything at all. Factories {
restaurants, 1t doesn't matter what
And both of them were seized wit
/, fits Of laughter which they manage
! to cover under the general movemel
Of departure, as Isabel had risen to g
t Outside upon the crowded sire,
! George helped Lucy into his runabol
, and drove off, waving triumphant
and laughing at Eugene, who w,
struggling with the engine of his ca
in the tonneau Of which Isabel al
J Fanny had established themselve
? "Looks like a hand-organ man grin
] ing away for pennies" said George,
t the runabout turned the corner in
t National avenue. "Tn still take
horse, any day."
He waS not so cocksure half an no,
later, on an open road. when a sire
: whistle walled behind him, and befol
the sound had died away Eugene's ca
coming from behind with what SCENE
] fairly like n long leap, went by Il
| runabout and dwindled almost insta
4 taneously in perspective, with a La,
I handkerchief In q black-gloved har
iuttering sweet derision as 1t W;