The Clio messenger., 1919-12-25
A Steam Shovelier
By r. RAY BAKER
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)

10 men,, GlenQuiSt observed, nicking
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
a 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 boil
shevism, solved the problem of III. G.
L., settled the railroad ownership is
sue and thoroughly threshed out the
osophy, spiritualism and new thought.
Yes. we were congenial souls, were
Glenquist and I.
AS yet we had never discussed the
most perplexing problem Of the ages
love. Maybe 1t was because we
were both confirmed bachelors and did
not feel In position to talk authori-
marriage Of mutual friend had
brought the matter before us this eve
ming, and casually I had inquired
why Glenquist had never selected
lifelong companion.
Suppose you tell your story" he
suggested when l broached the sub
Ject. "Then I'll burden you with
mine."
'I'll burden you with no story" I
replied. There's no story to 1t.
just naturally didn't take to the fair
sex, or rather they didn't take to me.
I guess it was mutual. Have you
story?"
For moment he did not reply, and
when he broke the silence 1t was to ut
ter the words that opened this tale.
Furthermore" he went on, ut is
strange that brains do not appear to
be considered much Of an asset to
man when he asks woman to become
his wife. At least that is the case
with some women, and very good,
bright and capable women, too, I
mean. Perhaps, as say, 1t Is their
intuition. or their ability to see far
ahead.
''In my case, perhaps, I deluded my
self into thinking had brains. Maybe
I mistook 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 l may claim to
having at least a normal supply Of
thinking machinery. l am what you
would call successful criminal law.
yer.
81 was terribly fond Of Cassie We'll
don six years ago. This was my home
town, and also hers. We were class
were graduated I went to the univer-
sity and she became 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 1t were keeping
steady company.
"When / was at college we corre-
sponded regularly, and 1t seemed to
me that she cared almost as much for
me as for her. I pictured her pre-
siding in a nice little home when got
started on the road to success in my
chosen profession, and although I did
not broach the subject, felt con-
vinced she would see II that way.
Perhaps I was somewhat egotistical,
but really do not believe It was that.
To be sure, I was proud of the show
ing was making in my studies and
very hopeful Of the future.
whenever / came home she pro-
fessed to be happy over being with
me, and I really believe she was. Our
favorite pastime was walks In the
woods with camera, and must con-
fess that, deep down In a trunk, still
have q number Of those snaps. Just
for fun, think I'll dig down and take
a squint at them tomorrow.
Things went on like this for some
time, and / am sure that she did not
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 q
partner for some special social event.
This was only to be expected, seeing
that we were not engaged and 1t not
being natural for young girl to stay
at home and spend her evenings read
ing Robinson Crusoe' and Red Riding
Hood
at finally dawned on me that had
better get busy. I was in the fourth
year Of my law course, but Cassie was
growing more attractive each day, and
as I was not home to look after my
interests II behcoved me to get an op-
ton on her hand.
"I had spent that summer working
in an attorneys office In Clarksburg,
and so had not seen Cassie any more
during vacation than during the school
term. It was In the fall, and I was
home for few days. when I felt that