The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-12-25
Fourteen
Battles
Copyright, 1919. by the Western News
paper Union.)

BY CECILLE LANGDON

When Rodney Blair returned from
the war the hero of IA battles, he was
awarded a reception that would have
turned the head of more conceited
and ambitious young fellow. Claribel
Percy, who had been his sweetheart
before he enlisted, treated him with
idolizing admiration, his former
friends and acquaintance bestowed
full need Of appreciation as to his
patriotism and valor, and old Uncle
Wallace Blair after whom he was
named and who had himself been a
fighter in the Civil war, fairly dotted
upon this marvel warrior of a later
generation.
Rodney took it all very modestly.
you've got lot of relatives, boy" said
Uncle Wallace, affectionately, and the
last one of them is proud of you.
It's not coincidence but question
Of preference and selection, that II
of us got together to fete and
boom and boost you
But l must get ut something to
make a living" submitted Rodney Sc
riouS1y.
"That will come along in due time,
my boy" declared Uncle Wallace,
with confidence inspiring wave of
his hand,
"You see" added Rodney, with color
slightly heightened, there is a certain
young lady | am interested in"
"Know all about her" he was inter
rupted. "That's all right, but seeing
as she is going to have you all her life,
surely she can spare YOU to go the
rounds of your blood relations"
Rodney did not tell proud and
pretty Caribel this when he saw her
that evening. What he did impart to
her was that Uncle Wallace wished
him go down to Warrenton to his
home and become his guest for a few
days. He promised to write Clarlbel
and keep her advised of his move
ments, but when at the end Of two
weeks only letters and no Rodney put
in an appearance Claribel began to
grow melancholy and disappointed
Rodney wrote Der lovingly, cheer
ingly. He sent her newspapers con
tanning accounts of his reception in
The various communities which Uncle
Wallace had insisted he should visit.
Thus, a group of cousins at Falrdale
had met him ut the depot with q band
and string of automobiles. At
Winsted half the county turned out
for a festival celebration day. Els
dene and its college where Rodney had
graduated massed up an enthusiastic
reception with fireworks and a grand
supper Father Percy was made aware
Of the triumphant march of the young
soldier and spoke about II one day at
the dinner table.
young Blair is good deal of a
disappointment to me- said Mr.. Percy
to his wife. II would suppose that an
energetic fellow with his opportunities
would not idle his time away swinging
around the circle to show off"
ooh, papa, l am sure that is not
Rodney's idea interviewed Claribel
unanimously. you see, he has
heap of relatives, and they are so
proud of him."
"Humph !" muttered her father.
my old partners son, Egbert Brooks,
is coming to the city next week, and
! hope you will show him some at
tention."
81 detest him." reflected Clarlbel. "A
brainless fop. And papa favors him
because he has money, Oh, why does
Rodney waste his time the way he
is doing? And never comes back at
odd times to see me! | declare, II Is
more than provoking!" and Claribel
nearly merged into tears.
Papa would have his way, however,
and a few days later directed Claribel
and her mother TO come down to the
office in the automobile and take young
Broo ks for drive on the boulevards.
Claribel seated in the outer office after
they had reached the wholesale house
which Mr.. Percy owned, gave quite
start as she caught the echo of famII-
lar voices from the adjoining room.
"Ah, that was the way OF it?" her
father was saying, in a pleasantly con-
descending tone of voice.
"That was the way, Mr.. Percy" re-
piled the beloved accents Of the dila.
tory lover. "Uncle Wallace would have
1t that ! should spend a week with each
Of my II close relatives-a week, you
know for each battle l was in. Then
the surprise Of my life-I shall
place the $4,000 order for stock for
my first business venture with you, for
cash, and arrange If you will, for what
future credit | will be entitled to as
a going concern"
1--WE shall be glad and proud to have
you on our books declared the wise
old business expert, Twenty-Five thou
sand dollars ought to start you out in
a good way
81 refused to accept the money as
a donation spoke Rodney. 81 have
insisted on syndicate arrangement
where my financial hackers receive n
share in the business as In the profits"
"Then you have II partners"
chuckled Mr.. Percy.
Eyes, one for each battle. wish
! deserved all the honor and praise
those good old relatives have bestowed
upon me-
(which you dow enthused Clarlbel
as they spun along the bouleyards,
mamma and the chauffeur In the front
seat, and sympathetically obllvlous TO