The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1919-07-31
The Opportunist
BY L HAMILTON


Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper Union
"Yes, you've done we'll, Marshall, we
oil admit that. You seemed to start
in business at just the right moment
Opportunity knocks only once at every
door, and you was ready to welcome
her, eh?"
Nonsense" uttered Eben Marshall,
opportunity is hanging around most
Of the time, I've got her trained, see:
I've made a science Of 1t. In fact, ]
call myself an expert as an opportun.
tst."
Jim Ready nodded approvingly and
with profound admiration of his for.
tunate acquaintance. Certainly Eben
had done well. He had struck Whar
ton just a the boom Of that thriving
little town was beginning. He had
s%peculated in a new subdivision and
had doubled his investment. He was
the first man to comprehend the prac.
~ticability Of starting a movie show, and
money flowed in.
"YOu see, JIM" he observed, "there's
no helter-skelter in grabbing oppor'
tunity. You have to get so that you
recognize her when you meet her. Then
you have to know how to utilize her.
You've got to act just in time, and ex-
actly right. You've got to be shrewd.
diligent, sure of your ground and con-
fident and irresistible in your power.
Confidentially, I am now counting the
shy damsel along new lines. I've tried
opportunity in business. I'm going to
see how she is going to treat me in the
matrimonial line"
'N""You don't mean it, Marshall! I
didn't suppose you was much inter-
ested in that way"
I'm interested in any way where an
advantage means money or my own
we'll being. For some time I've been
having my eye on Miss Eva Burton"
Jim uttered a low whistle. II say"
he remarked, "you aim high. Why, her
father is the richest man in Wharton
and she's the most refined, cultured
and beautiful girl in the district"
Eben did not like this, for, per con
ira, as he was fully aware, he was
boorfsh, ignorant and decidedly un-
handsome. All the same he perked up.
ratified some coins in his pocket and
hecked a speck of dust from his newly
made coat as if so he would brush
away any obstacle that might come in
his path.
1--WE heard that Ross Adams had a
sort Of fondness for Eva" went on
Jim speculatingly.
"Humph !" snorted Eben, contemptu-
ously. "That pauper! Writing books
and painting pictures. Fine prospects,
en-? I've got money and I amount to
something in this community. Watch
me prove it to pretty Eva when oppor.
tunity hits my trail"
Reckon Eben has begun his court
Ing" soliloquized Jim about a month
later, As he saw the .opportunist in his
shiny, brand-new automobile speeding
down the street. with Eva by his side.
"Wonder how Ross Adams feels about
IT. Poor fellow! He's the match for
Eva, Just the same, for she's educated
and artistic and all that. and Ross Ger.
tainly has written some beautiful
things"
Jim had transferred his glance to
young Adams, who had just come out
OF the village post office. His atten.
ton and interest were centered IN a
letter he had just received. He stepped
into q sheltered doorway and opened
the envelope.
The inquisitive and interested Jim.
~unobserved, had kept pace with him.
While casually lingering at the curb
he watched every movement Of Ross
Adams. He noted that q sudden dash
Of delight lit up his face. He fancied
he almost caught the echo Of q wild
cy Of Joy from the lips Of the youne
nan. Down the street the latter Start.
Cd. He almost ran. he seemed % 6ssAs
.sG1ifl
1899 go nse.loea19El1ee