Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1919-01-10
Observation-Disclosures
"BABY DOLL"
BY PERclVAL MARSH.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
tcopSrIspt, lois, Western Newspaper Calon1


three spinster sisters that he had at
last accumulated ten thousand dollars
aud that it was safe in bank, the sol.
acing complaceacy filed their souls
that they would never have to starye.
lie had gone into buying grain from
nearby farmers ana had made money
fast, storing his purchases aud ship
ping to the city always on rising
| market.
When one day he entered the house
and slapped down ON the table a pack
age of legal looking documents, with
gloating JUNCTION remarldug There
are the title deeds to house ana lot,
free and clear all hands smiled with
delight, for they knew that perina-
ncnt roof was assured.
Going to the city to buy an auto
mobile" he announced somewhat later.
"We're going to take all the good out
Of life we can get" About week
later there came telegram to Hor-
tense the elder sister. 1t read Home
Tuesday afternoon by new auto. Also
Wife, ana the nuttcr this informa-
zion caused kept the three astounded
and suSpenseful sisters ON tantnliaing
hooks through forty-eight hours.
They were kindly Of heart though
/ having narrow notions in some re-
spects. Horace had been good brGth-
en- ANA tliey hoped he had made suit
able choice of 4 helpmoet.
| She came ard ibc sisters stared.
! They had never seen greater beauty.
piqunnt, petite, ever smiling, It could
rot be in the heart Of uny one in the
world to resist her. She dHZzled them
with her pretty ways. AS tie three
sisters were alone Hortense said with
a sigh: "She loves Horace, that is
sure. She greets her new home as a
palace. She has no relatives, Horace
says, so there will be no divided nor
interfering interests. Only five words
express it,"
Speak them, nortense," urged
Muriel,
"She is baby doll" and that set
tied conviction seemed unaniMaus.
"One thing" spoke Rose, a week
later, Meta is no gadder, She loves
his home"
yes" echoed Murel, land her de
voton to Horace is almost pathetic"
And did you ever see such fancy
| work as she is capable Of dolng?' sup
plemented Hortense ard, when the
latter compimented Meta on this fen.
ture the next day, the latter said mod.
estly:
Il ought to know something in that
line, for l spent three years as an APP
prentice You see, artificial flower
making is my trade"
Trader" mildly Hortense echoed
the jarring word.
We'll, it is scarcely a profession, Is
it?" smiled Meta sWeety. You see
when your brother first met me had
become forewomHA in millinery sup
ply house. They say ! had become
an expert, so if ever dear Horace has
business reverses we have something
to fail back upon"
The reverses came. A slreWd, none
too scIupulous grain buyer appeared
as rival in the field ana Horace be-
gan to lose trade. He made some UNI
lucky purchases. In six months his
surplus at the bank was gone. A lit
tie later he had to mortgage the home
and sell the automobile. Then he had
a serious breakdown.
SISTERS" said Meta one day, the
time has come for us to show our
mottle. | went you, Hortensc. TO 90
to s2e city tomorrow to help me buy
some stock | am going to start into
the artificial flower business in mod
est way. ] know the line. | know
the trade, and l know further that in
side Of a week you three can become
experts with all your quick ideas ana
industry ard niftiness"
So Meta took Hortense with her to
the city and spent Il week studying the
market. She had some money Of her
own and she invested it unhcsitaing-
". She purchased ribbons and sheets
Of silk, and satin and other fabrics
used in making pretty floral counter
feits. She bought dies, and wire and
tools. BY the ehd Of two weeks the
big parlors were transformed into busy
work rooms. System and order pre-
vailed. A thorough business woman
Meta had an immediate outlet for her
wares Horace rccupcrating, muir
INJURED over his usolessness.
"Ready to work?' questioned Meta
brightly every well. First, you shall
help pack and ship. Then you shall
keep the books. Then, dear, as soon
as we are well started, instead Of sell
ing to the jobbers you shall be our
travelling salesman. We will work up
direct clients Of our own and make a
double profit. Why, the business viii
be ideal"
How cozy it has been, and how
nice" said Hortense one day, a year
later. The mortgage had been paid
off and they had a new automobile
ana money in bank. The business
had grown so that work rooms down
town were necessary and Horace was
slowly, safely feeling his way back
into his old business.
Horace" said Hortense to hei
brother one day, 81 did Meta a griev'
GUS wrong when she FIRST came among
US"