The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-12-15
Natures
Benson
~~D
Copyright 1919. by the western News-
paper union)
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB

/
It was the merest accident that Mar
Gus Blake became acquainted with
Nellie Powers, she preceded him leaV-
ing u streer car and he followed her
A startled cry from her lips caused
him to notice the fairest face be had
ever Sazed upon.
oh" she cried in vivid distress
~ left my purse on the window ledge
of my seat, and it held all 1 have in
the world"
She even started to pursue the car,
but Marcus checked her vain endeav-
or. Quick" he said--where will |
find you, if recover the purse?"
~ work at 232 and my name is Mel
lie Powers" came rapidly from the az
itated lips, and Marcus dashed to the
curb and sprang into taxi.
II wish to overtake that car ahead,
shot out Marcus, and within three
minutes the driver pulled up at a
street crossing half a block ahead Of
the car, said Half dollar" and a
moment later Marcus was aboard Of
the car that had led him his wild
chase 1t held only one or two pas
sengers. Marcus trayersed its length
He scanned the window lodges but
they held no purse,
Looking for something question
ed the conductor.
why, yes. A young lady passenger
you let off at Market street.
Il remember her, pretty as a pic
tuwe, Sat in the fourth seat from the
front"
Yes. she placed her purse Oh the
window ledge and forgot it,
A smile of enlightenment crossed
the conductors good natured face. II
fancy the purse is still aboard" he re-
marked. I've had these cases be-
fore. You see, the window let's down
from the b6ttom and there is big
space at the sill to allow its manipu-
lation. Instead Of placing her purse
on the sill, the young lady probably
let It drop down the window slide"
The conductor turned out a true
prophet, The purse was recovered
at the cost of an hours time. Marcus
was gratitied to appear at 232, which
proved to be millinery store, and re-
ceive the thanks of Miss Powers.
FAN my weeks pay and as much
more that | have saved is in the
purse" she explained. Il need it all
10 pay The doctor bill OF my little
brother, who is lust recovering from
a long siege Of Illness" and although
the conversation was brief it resulted
IN Flake ascertainlug that Miss Pow
ers and her brother. were all alone in
the world, and their living address
In two rooms. the klnd-hearted land
lady Of which, looked after little Les
ter. tile sick boy.
Marcus lived in suburb. Spring
had Just started IN, and anxious TO see
Miss Powers again Blake cast about
him next morning for something that
would please her invalid brother The
result was that he stopped on his way
10 work, and delighted little Lester by
bringing him baby rabbit, His re-
ward WAS the company of Miss Pow
erS an the way down town.
\ new interest in life began 70 ma.
terialize for both the devoted young
poople. There was rot n day when
Blake did not carry into town some
reminder Of the country--the early
wood violetS, he first fruit blossoms
and The like. Little Lester had but
.,.. ,,,.1s,.r t,,,pn ia, srat ptyt amid ft.l-
ture, but tho physician had told Nellie
that he must he near at hand where
he could come under medical care un
til he was further convalescent,
one day Nellie introduced Blake 10
an old gentleman who lived in the
building ana who dropped in coca
sionally to cheer up little Lester. The
latter had quite a collection of arti-
Giles Blake had donated, and from Mr.
Rossiter, who was placing suburban.
subdivision on the market, Marcus re-
ceivcd a suggestion which he discus
sed with enthusiasm.
You have given me quite an idea,
Mr. Blake, he said, you are quite
in touch with nature. in fact directly
In the midst of IT.. My office fronts
street with many passersby and with
"a window big enough to display min
lature farm, hi make it well worth
your while to fix up that window
daily with the developing beauties OF
nature on big scale, just as you have
on small one for Lester here"
Thenceforward every day Blake
brought in further reminders of
the country. He kept pace with
vegetation and added to the window
display from time to time, and intro
duced so many novelties that the adj
verusement proved profitable one
10 the energetic land man. Finally
that show window had all the attri-
butes of miniature rural spot, even
TO a mimic waterfall, frogs. fishes,
birds, ana at length Mr.. Rossiter EN-
ployed Blake permanently at salary
nearly double the one he had been
earning.
The doctor says am well enough
60 20 out in the country now glee-
fully announced Lester one day
You shall do so soon,' said Blake.
There's a special room my mother
has fixed up for you"
"But what about Nellle?" inquired