The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-05-23
'FRONT.'
~
BY Floyd Hamilton Hazard
(Copyright.)

Jones himself, anu, lot tniS reason, tnt
| greater part of the time. he had Q
firm conviction that Jones was quite
a man, and equal to almost any high
achievement.
He was an alert. practical. business
man, with large stock of knowledge
dearly purchased at the University OF
| Hard Work and there was brick dust
In his hair. His eyes were of deep
comprehending blue, and when there
was anything worth seeing he seldom
closed them. His trim appearance was
greatly in his favor; hut for the past
week ii had availed him nothing.
Was il his fault that the ole firm
had failed?
mo, 1t was not
Was Ii his fault that his weary
search for another position had so far
proved utterly fruitless?
Again no!
Was he to blame because his saw
ings had melted away?
Well. hardly!
He was standing on the curb, at the
lliiti oCNliOl VI Illll dNCHuC III
ty-fourth street, in New York. modify
rehearsing in his mind his recent eXpe-
riences, as he abstractedly watched the
people in the dining room of the enor-
nous hotel opposite.
"What week"
His search for similar work had de-
generated into frantic scramble for
any kind of work at all. And how, on
nothing "Cnt and Doctors bills and
acqu?r and cash to go ona
&c" ,oavens!" he thought. IF
only ! h.d some cash !"
Cash! Cash. Cash beat In on his
brain.
Got to have 1t! Can't get til" said
Jones.
"Can get 1T" answered Jones' spir-
II. keep a-going. Can and will get
It."
I'm hungry" complained Jones.
"Shucks!" scoffed his friend. Pull
In your belt couple of holes!"
AT Tie edge of pile of gutter-rub-
biSh "''"r Merry's, he noticed string
of d. BEADS.
{" e girl that lost them won't
mi.. give them to Helen" he
muscd as he slipped them into his
pocket. "A trifling present and a
doubtful one, but big help at that.
1t isn't her fault that she doesn't
know I'm out of work."
He cleaned them in the fountain and
placed them in the lonely security of
his empty purse.
A copy of the mornings paper was
stuck between the Stats of the bench
on which he sat. He was too tired. too
harassed by doubt and fear and hun
ger, to read; so he carried it with him.
This spirit of his made him stop to
sympathZe with little girl on roller
skates, who had fallen and bumped her
nose, near his home. 1t also nerved
him to greet the doctor at the entrance
to this up-to-date tenement.
"Ilallo. doe. How's my wife?" he
genially i"Iuired, with a sinking heart.
"All r. p" was the reply. "The cri-
sis came ~ noon today, and she will
recover, If you can manage the diet.
But how about my bill?"
Again was Jones prompted.
"How about your bill? Why! Aren't
you Doctor Bill?" he laughed. Cant
let you stop treatment yet, you know.
See you tomorrow"
Satisfied, the doctor left him; but
there was another touch needed to
almost complete his misery. Jones met
the agent.
"Your rent has been overdue five
days." was this individuals pleasant
salutation.,
81 know IT," answered Jones nonchal-
antly. "Would check on the First
Commercial do you right now?" he
queried in bantering tone.
ut would, If l could get it," was the
reply in forbidding tones.
"Well 7" said Jones checrfully.
"Dont look so grouchy! Let's be hap
py. Come round and see me tomorrow
night"
His feet seemed fastened to the
steps as he slowly dragged them up
the five flights of stairs, but after the
click Of the latch-key his heavy heart
was lifted by glad cry as he entered
the little three-rOom fiat.
Cyrus! Oh. you dearl Come
quickly and let me press you close.
The doctor says | will soon. be well.
Well! Yes! Completely and soundly
well! What do you think of that?"
Think" lie choked, as he bent over
the bed and kissed his invalid wife.
"Why. Helen, darling! can't think
for the glory of it"
"Hooray!" shouted Jones and his
spirit. "Hoorayw
There was wall from the crib by
the bedside.
Halo, son - he cried. as he caught
up the baby and kissed him. "Moml
mer is goin' t get well Dye hear
that! Yes, sir! Listen to that and
quit it-7yOu dear little indiana"
He drew up n chair and sat heavily
upon it, the child in his arms.
"What Is 1t that you need tonight.
dear hearth" he inquired.
1.-TWO prescriptions. some more port
uina mill. on.t oc,ra ..l,,