Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-07-24
The
Sleeping Partner
By ALXAHJoRDAN GARTH
Copyright. 1919. By western Newspaper Union.

pehellc4afy 10 tne extent OF ten thou
sand dollars in cash and two buildings
on the main business street of the
town.
"Why, they were not very closely re-
lated" advanced our critic.
"Oh ! old Darow did 1t out of pity"
declared second. you see, Burton
was born lazy. He has never had to
work, for he don't know how. !, The
old man knew he would starve If he
didn't leave him provided for"
When the friends of Ellis came
around to congratulate him, they found
him ensconced in his favorite arm
chair, INDUCING in his afternoon nap,
an invariable adjunct of his daily rou-
tine.
It's my great luxury, a s1ooze," con-
fessed Ellis frankly. "You see, for ten
years lived with my uncle in the far
South, where, in summer time, nobody
works between 10 " m. and p. m.
It's a hammock and nap, except for
the natives. / fell in with the Sleep
ing habit"
For all his Incidence Ellis was great
favorite all around. He reverenced all
'womanlSind, and had way of pettlng
the children that made him universal
ly popular. Ellis was generous to a
fault, never out Of htmor, and he did
not even get excited when he was in
formed of his heirship
One day a young man asked for him
at his hotel. The proprietor of the
hostelry indicated his pleasant-faced
guest, asleep in a chair in the lobby.
II don't like to disturb him." OBJ
served the newcomer.
ooh, Burton wakes up as easily as
he goes to Sleep" said boniface. "Just
give him nudge. He'll take it friend
ly and natural" So the young man
went over to the side of the comforta-
bly, disposed slumberer.
Hello! What's up-a fire, or some
thing lille?' challenged Ellis.
No. little matter of business"
came the explanation. 81 am Arnold
Wells, and | am looking for business
location. ] understand that you own
the little vacant store opposite here,
and ] would like to know it's RENTAL
ooh. that's it, CHI" said Ellis.
whats going to be your line, Mr..
Wells?"
"Why, have been running small
cessories. They have put the new
paved highway through Brocton. so 1
am planning to move to where the
prospects are best"
Yes but say, also own the corner
building. That's vacant, too. And
there's a fiat overhead. suppose you
have family?'
only sister,"
Ellis manifested growing interest
in the clear-headed, intelligent young
man, who explained that he had less
than thousand dollars to invest in
the prospective enterprise. 1t all re-
suited in suggestion from Ellis that
his visitor expand his business propo-
sition and take in the sale of auto
'abiles, as well as accessories, he fur
nishing the capital. Ellis could sit
around the place and talk to CUSTOM
ers, making sure 1t was furnished
with q comfortable easy chair He
need not forego his customary after
noon snoozn, and, if there was any out
side work to do. what more pleasant
than a cushioned seat in a luxurious
ly appointed car? So bargain was
cemented, the big store was fitted up,
and the brother and sister established
I'm mn1nct livinu O1ortarc
Ellis was aroused to new interest
at the first sight of Edna Wells. Edna
kept the books of the business, her
brother put in full time working up
business and the happy Ellis decided
that he had fitted right into an ideal
occupation, if his activities could be
so considered.
just as the business seemed on a
settled basis Arnold broke down from
overwork. His doctor insisted that
he go away for two months rest.
Edna was to go with him as his
nurse. The last evening they spent in
BrOctOn she came to Ellis.
"Nlr. Burton" she said, 'you shall
not lose, after all your generosity
towards us, for if Arnold does not re-
cover his health he will make over to
you his share in the business But I
did hope" and her wistful, pleading
eyes caused Ellis to thrill, that you
wonld-would wake up. Oh forgive
me! But if you would only take the
interest in the business you are
capable of. that would give poor Ar
mold new life and hope"
"You dear sweet friend!" exclaimed
Ellis, reused out of himself.s you've
given me a grand motto: Wake Up!
I'm going to do it,"
All Brocton marveled just after
that One man noticed Ellis on the
street at daylight and rubbed his
eyes, and looked twice. From morn
ing until night Ellis was moving
Eriskly about town, working up bust
ness or out among the farmers selling
them machines. When the hour for
his accustomed nap arrived he would
take a run around the block. He
joined an athletic club. A springy
step, a rare glow of health were now
present with him. The supreme mo-
meht of his life came the day Edna
ana her brother returned to Brocton
and proudly he vaunted the business
progress he had made.
And later came the reward of well
doing-upcn one evcntful evening
when he told Edna Wells that he
loved her.