Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1919-02-06
STRAIGHT STREET

BY MAY NEWcoMBE.
Vcopyrsht. l9ls. Weston Newspaper unlonl

once been n country cow path Strag-
gled through the nucleus Of what
finally became Groyerdale. As houses
were built here and there along its
sinuouS length, 1t assumed, or alb
Sorbcd, or was given a anne Crook
ed Lane"
When the first snail stores began
To find Il locatinn on a line with the
depot, the town commissioners cut a
broad line west. condemned curves
and windingS and laid out a compass
correct t~liurou=hfarc. II was not a
pretty appclative they bestowed on
the new ~lhoroughfarc, but 1t was fully
appropriate rs Il contrast. Ii became
Straight street.
10 do business ON Straight street
was 10 he quite IN the business sphere,
10 live farther ont in its residential
section was to he acknowledged and
accepted socially. One day IA stranger
entered the town, n iaunty, fairly Well
dressed fellow, about twenty-five. He
was straight MS an arrow, supple,
swift of gait, bright-eyed, Wide awake
suggesting a person seeking a brand
new environment and on the alert to
seize IFS best opportunities. 4 whim-
steal smile crossed his expressive face
as he glanced at the sign on a lamp
post.
Straight street he read, as though
il had made Il pleasant sound. "That
sritS me and I take II as n harbingcr
of fortune. It's the road I've had IN
mind"
The young nan started looking for
a room, n cheap room. Side thorough
fares invited In this direction, hut he
maintained his tramp along the street
called straight" until he finally
found I'm apartment suited TO his thin
purse, and then east about for work
His brisk, CHEEKY ways and Frank, open
personality caught the fancy of the
hookkeeper Of a large factory and Abel
Morse. as he gave his name, was EN-.
ployed.
He became a favurite all around.
There was one popularity about him
he took long. %iaunts, and ii might have
been remarked that he never left
Straight street. Beyond We're the dance
halls, drinking places, tawdry side
shows and rollicking crowds, but, in
TOWN or leaving il, Straight street he
came his beaten path One moonlit
n,ght lie was pacing IFS middle pave
ment, for the sides We're blocked where
new cement was being laid. Abruptly
Il spirited horse attached to Il high
trap turned into HE street. The AMI.
nal became frightened at the pres
ence Of ii road roller aud made Il wild
dash across the rubblr stone and I'LL
lng In debris. A handsome sirl held
steadily tu The tense, Straining rrilrs,
but the horse. was frantic. rs the w.
hiclr was AL hul ul,srtling, the youn.
man Sprang III The head Of the speed
Ing animal. lie chung "a tlit bride,
was dragged, swung, almost %lrampled,
but halted the aflrighted stecd AT last.
"Oh, don't let him get hurt, tram
ping among the clnderS and glass :"
called out Miss Eva Powers, his driver.
and Morse led the horse 10 the center
smooth roadway. "You had better let
me drive him home" he said, and that
was how it came about that he first
saw at the sumptuouS Powers man
sion modest, petite Mary Lane, seam
stress.
Thereafter when he called to see
Mary at home or TO chat with her in
the garden. Miss Powers smiled indul-
gently and Mary was fiattered and
pleased at the attentions of the man
", good-looking young fellow. There
came about u rapidly occurring series
Of events. The war came on, Mary
was proud about her lover when he
was the first t. enter the service
Miss Powers gave him quite a pub.
lie reception when he came from en-
campment. a first lieutenant. Some
where Abel Morse had learned disci
pline, self-contr0l and the power TO
lead men. He aud Mary had become
engaged. He was popular with his
comrades, Il model to the young men
Of the town and in direct line for fur
ther advancement.
He had just left Mary one afternoon
and was crossing the garden e the
street when a hurrying, flushed and
hard-breathing man almost ran into
him. Then the latter halted, stated
and regarded Morse with u certain In
solent. triumphant look. i
Double luck Well. well. Ned Du-
rand! and a blooming lieutenant, I've
heard OF you. saw you before. And
transformed into Abel Morse. U. \. A.
Some rise III the world, Ell. from con-
Wet 22441 What Is It worth to shut
my moulin
Hold that man 7" burst forth sharp
ly, aud Miss Powers came rushing into
view. Her direction Vas to Morse.
ale has just entered the house. and
has stolen a case of jewels. There
they are. in his pocket. Bring him TO
my father, and We shall see how far
his unmanly threat will carry him."
Todd Brewster, ex-cOnvict. thief.
left Groyedale that evening q cowed
with evidence sufficient be-
hind him TO send him back where he