The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-04
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Upgide Down
By RAY FISHER.
copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
NeRsnsper syndIcate.l
s. oRKY. young man, s saIu w.

\ OOTLlY llAs GLOA0Ng ~
~ rising to indicate that the ten.
minute interview was at an END; 3ut
yonr quest Is futile. l cannot allow
my daughter to marry man win no
more alluring future than the one ina!
confronts you."
But Weldon Miller did not move
toward the door of the bankers Office
disappointment showed on MS GEAR
cut countenance, but through u
cleaned q hint of smile, somewhat
determined smile. He creased his telt
hat carefully and asked:
DThen there's no hope, Mr.. sey-
mour. You know love Hutn sl9 1'
Nv. and its not because OF your tman,
cial standing, either. It's just her /
want. not your money"
Mr. Seymour paused in his march
across the room.
"rm really inclined to believe you
are sincere about that" he conceded,
lighting cigar. However that 10 MOI
the question. 1t is not so much that
you are not wealthy, but that you evil
IDENTIFY have not the resourcefulness,
the acumen to accumulate money. MY
daughter must become the wife OF a
successfuI man, and he must have the
goods to show that he is successrui.
But YOU are a mail carrier, and while
II is an honest occupation and a very
necessary one in the running OF the
world, 1t is so prosaic, so devoid OF
thrills, so lacking in opportunity for
achievement that-well, no, cannot
see much hope for you. You need NOT
tell me that Ruth loves you. believe
she does, or thinks she does, but she
will forget you. I'm sorry l let the
matter 90 SO Tar. didn't realize that
her activities in entertaining service
men would lead to any such serious
affair"
Still the young man held the fort at
the desk, while Mr.. Seymour fidgeted
and blew clouds of smoke and began
to feel vexed at his persistent visitor.
It was past time for lunch.
'Tn concrete terms, Mr.. Seymour"
said Weldon, Gust what would you re-
uuire .of me to make me eligible as
son-in-law? I'm determined to meet
your requirements. Just tell me how
to 20 about it and I'll leave you"
This was fair proposition, the
banker conceded.
"sit down." he said abruptly, and
dropped into his own swivel chair.
aTm wasting time, but / want to be
square. Here's the crux Of the thing.
You're not on your feet figuratiVely
speaking. You're upside down. Get
on your feet and make things hum
Nine young men out of ten are upside
down; they're like turtles Topped on
their backs, unable to make progress.
Sometimes fellow will get on his feet
overnight and then he can speed to the
heights of success. You're honest or
YOU wouldn't be carrying mail for a
living. You're too honest to succeed.
My advice may sound hard, but its
the only recipe for success. Go after
the coin and get it, no matter how, so
long as you don't run afoul OF the law.
Use your brains; put 1t over the other
fellow, grab his coin and you'll win
eyerybody's admiration, especially your
victims, to use harsh but applicable
term. You'll find such course profit
able and also thrilling! not humdrum
like carrying mail.
"You ask for plain business prop
osition. Well. here 1t is. 1t sounds i'm
possible, and for you 1t probably is. II
you can come to me inside Of two
weeks with thousand dollar bank
account you can have Ruth and there'll
be no questions asked. 1t will prove
your resourcefulness. Good day"
3 Weldon Miller went to his boarding
house and spent the rest of the day
shut in his room, smoking and think
ing. Early in the evening he appeared
TO come to a decision, for he flung on
his coat and hat and took street car
to the Second National Bank. His
card brought quick action, for in few
moments he was shaking hands with
the president of the institution, who
appeared to have seen no more than
thirty years.
"By George! I'm glad to see you,
Weld,9 said the president, shaking
his visitors hand warmly. What can
do for you? Ever since l inherited
THIS soft job I've been trying to start
Ycu In business, but you've always re-
IuSed."
srYou can do something, all right,
Ferd," said Weldon, accepting long,
5roWn cigar and light, you can help
urn me rightside up. You know old
nan Seymour, Of the First State, don't
Jou2 Well, listen"
II there was one subject on which
VT. Horace Seymour was touchy it was
is courage. During his rather adyen-
.urous career, before settling down to
become rich and rotund, he had hunt
a IN the jungles Of both Wall street
md Africa.
Re had engaged in hot struggles
sRainst brokers with the money as the
object, and against wild beasts, with
ne as the stake. He had never been
afraid and he was proud Of 1t. Hs
was in his prime, even If he did tip the
scales at PA. II eat danger" was his
boast.
Consequently, when the question Of
courage In aeronautics came up at the
club one night he took a prominent
part IN the debate. He had read up
So the subject more or less and as {.
sumed the role of an authority.
ut takes nerve to n.y." he admit
ted Hbut not so much as have been
forced to display at times on terra
+lrma."
IT may be true" observed George
gollister, the young president Of the