South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-24
MADGE ORDERS THE BARS
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE
ROAD

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE
ROAD.
It's a five minutes walk IL one
speeds ones steps from our house to
the pOstoffice. which is the geo
graphical civic and social center of
the ancient village OF Marin. But
if one walks slowly. as ! did. enjoy
ing 10 the utmost the early summer
day. the time consumed stretches
10 10. even TO IS minutes.
had another purpose in lOiterin-
by the wayside than the mere en-
iOyment Of the out-of-doors- II my
suspicious concerning my neighbors
were correct then one OF them
would appear somewhere alons the
road.
But there was no disturbing pres
ence anywhere, although ] kept "a
sharp lookout l went 10 the post
office. receiving a pile Of the nevi-
table advertising circulars for my
pains. and dropped i'm at the Local
hardware store across the way 20
arrange the putting Of iron bars
upon the windows OF my room.
Many RumOrs."
The old man in charge. of whom
I had bought many small articles.
grinred broadly when gave him
the order.
What's the matter with all YOU
folks ND in that section ." ne vheez
ed. Got burglar scare. or are
YOU afraid the Germans will get in
when YOU amt lookin' 90
Why" asked. smiling. al
though ordinarily the salesman's To-
auacious familiarity would have an
moved me. But his question had
rathered a startled query i'm my own
mind. one 10 which ] wished an
answer.
why ." ne echoed. jest because
yours is the second order I've had
today for iron bars on windows.
That there Jap what works for the
folks that's rented Mis- Dutkee's
house. he was in here early this
mornin' and ordered bars for every
window and door in the house.
"He can sling English fast enough
when il comes 10 ordering Things.
Out WHICH j rChFn tlAtAf " iAfiA tAA'
was afraid of he shook his head the
way the Chink laundryman does
when YOU haven't brought your
laundry ticket along. pretended he
didn't understand. But YOU bet he
did understand. all right-just did
not want To answer. the Pesky
heathen'"
was glad 10 escape a direct an
swer under cover OF this TRADE
Having secured the information I
wanted. / decided to forestall any
curiosity he might have concerning
my own order.
There have been many rumOrs
OF burglars lately. Mr.. smith" J
said. "and I'm follishly nervous. ,
suppose. because there is porch
easily climbed just beneath my win
dow | hope you can fix those bars
today"
The old man beamed al me in re-
ward for his gratified curiosity.
"TH Just do that, Mis- Graham. 81"
he said. Those other folks order
is ahead of yours but they'll just
wait till | git yours done. Serve
'em right for bein' so blasted top
lofty"
THANK YOU so much, Mr.. Smith.
returned. although | knew his de-
cision and my acceptance Of it were
faulty ethics. Good day"
In another moment I was on the
street again, my face turned toward
the open road"
walked briskly now. for the lure
Of the open was upon me. ia been
too busy for weeks 10 take the
tramps / love so well. / was eager
to get to the woods, TO find certain
fallen oak 7 knew by the side of a
brook. to sit there and invite my
soul" after I'd searched for the wild
flowers whose haunts / reInem-
bered
Pete battered along by may side.
and after I reached the open coun-
try. the almost noiseless footsteps of