Evening star., 1919-10-05

way. An active mentality is bound to
have fads. They are the escape valves.
But, of course, I cannot devote to them
the time that they demand. So l hire
experts to look after my fads. Poppy
raising is one. Perhaps you have seen
the Tom Bristow double fringed scarlet
poppy? No? Well. / have been awarded
two first prizes for 1t, and l pay my
head gardener $4,000 a year. Collecting
pencil studies is another OF my fads. A
bankrupt art dealer gave me the idea;
said it would be an original thing to do
So hired him at good salary and he
makes monthly report Of the treasures
he picks up for me. This summer he
made great find-two sketches Of an
cid lady in chair, by some chap by the
iame Of Whistler. So YOU See. Mctabe.
il you can buy what YOU want. why de-
lude yourself with the fiction Of friend
ship?'
why guess 1 never thought much
about It," says I. might be worth
lookin' into, this idea of yours. I've al
ways supposed, though. that few Of
my friends was the real thing. and II
rvc been kiddin myself along
"You surely have been. McCabe,"
breaks in Bristow. "Just for example
now, suppose you pick out one person
whom you could call a real friend
don't know why, but off hand I looks
around for Swiftly Joe Gallagher He
amt in sight, though l expect seem
me turn down that big check was too
much for him and he's gone back into
him. just the same.
"Ah. yes" says Bristow. smlin'
your paid assistant. What makes you
think he is a true friend?"
"Well.' says l. hes always gone
through the motions ever since picked
him off park bench. One OF my gang
OF rubbers. Swiftly was, once. He'd
started out to be pug. himself over In
South Brooklyn A handy boy he was
with the mitts, too, and good on foot
work. II It hadn't been for streak of
yellow In him maybe he'd made good.
But he couldn't stand punishment; and
at twenty-five he found himself hangin'
around trainin' camps. with no trade,
no steady job and a hearty appetite.
When ran across him. about as l was
startin' the studio. he was down and
cut. took him on and he amt missed
a meal since. He amt ever said much
about being grateful. 1 doubt II he
knows the word. But it's there. I've
never had much call to try him out. but
expect there amt anything l could
ask Swiftly Joe to do for me that he
wouldn't make a stab at
Mr.. Bristow shrugs his shoulders
Try that on a stray dog and you'M get
results equally satisfactory" says he.
"A helper and dependent cannot be a
real friend"
I'D bank strong on Swiftly In a
pinch" says I.
ut would be interesting to arrange a
test" says Bristow. "Merkins, can you
suggest something's
Merkins can. Hos an ingenious young
gent. and suspect 10 a movie fan and
maybe tried his hand at scenario writin'.
After thinkin' only minute he sketches
out a neat little plot
''Do you agree to try that?" asks
Bristow.
go on. stage it," says l.
So when Swiftly Is called in I'm dis
covered with my overcoat and hat on,
standin' by the door registerin' sup
pressed grief.
Gallagher" says Mr.. Bristow, "how
would you like to take charge Of this
establishment?
''Me?" says Swiftly. his mouth droppin'
open. "Why-why-what about Shorty
McCabef'
Then Bristow springs his tale about
row I've been speculatin' in stocks and
not only lost my pile, but given out q
lot Of notes l can't meet, hintin' that
he's bought EN- up and taken over the
studio.
i've been having a talk with Prof.
McCabe." goes on Bristow. "and find
that I would not care to have him con-
tnue as manager. His methods would