Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-22

DuShyS WhiC hC o Sthh SoHuC lCu ia
the ears, he's bluffin' 1t through well.
"You people over there were easy.
all right" says he. Just because we
scattered francs careless you suspect
ed we was all recruited right on 5th =
avenue. 1t was the first time I ever
had a chance to pass for a plute and
I expect l played 1t for all 1t was
worth. II I'd had bunch you'd ever
follow it up maybe I'd have drawn
it milder. Too bad though, you blew
in all that taxi fare just on my ac-
count"
Zone always pays to learn" says
Sterpin. Besides, l have not forgot :.
ten the white bread, the sugar. the
butter"
Jaw, them things" says Bucky. II
swiped 'em Off the mess table,
Il understand. says the other. yet
except for those timely gifts-Well,
who knows? And as I have come I
may as well view your establishment,
even II it is not large enough to roof
all Belgium Heinz"
well, TRACE beans, as you say"
says Bucky. springin' some of his
doughboy French. There's the whole
VI dhu hV WAVES HIS AduO a. lu0 4
1Ox2O shack with half dozen second
hand window sash let into the top.
The old boy insists on walkin' out
and inspectin' it solemn. He even
pokes his fingers into the soil Of the
beds and smells of it. Then he shakes
his head.
.' "All very crude" says he. ut re-
quires lime and phosphates. There
should be ventilation as well as heat.
This does not appear sufficient, either"
and he jerks his thumb at the rusty
boiler.
Pm wise to that" says Bucky.
TITS all could buy with the money
had. though" ~
But I had heard" goes on Sterpin,
that your great government had
voted many millions to aid her return
ed heroes"
Maybe" says Bucky. "All that was
handed me was my $50 bonus and my
discharge papers when they turned
me loose" rt
There are your townspeople, how .
ever" puts in the old boy, chose for
whom you went across the sea to face
the cannon. Surely, they have not
IOTSOtten 50 quickly: 80
II dunno" says Bucky. Shorty Me-
Cabe here has helped me some. but
outside Of him there amt nobody
been around much. Anyway, they
amt come and forced any millions on
me. Not that I was 1ookin' for any.
thing like that. All I want is .
chance, a start"
True" says Sterpin. "And might
1 ask what are these plans of yours?"
At which Bucky sketches out how.
II he had the stock. he could supply
the local market with potted plants
and cut flowers; also where he want
ed to add on to his houses, and about
the new heater.
"Ah, yes" says the old gent from
Sunderbeeke, twirling his glasses
thoughtful. well. it shall be done.
Yes, at once"
"Eh?" says Bucky gawpin' at him.
you shall build on our credit"
says M. Sterpin. II will arrange that.
at the office. From our store Of bulbs
you may have what you wish, too.
And you shall repay as you are able"
What" says Bucky. "You-you
mean you'll take a chance on backin' .
me! Me!
why not?" says the other. "One
must find new customers. and the field
hereabouts should be good one.
Perhaps we shall not lose on the ven-
ture, after all. II we do-Pouf! 1t
goes that way, business. Tomorrow
you will receive a statement Of de-
post to your credit. Then you may
make your start"
well, I'll be jiggered" gasps
Bucky. Say, that's what call
mighty decent Of you. Mr.. Sterpin."
TOO amiable"' protests the old boy
I'VE Belgians are not much different
from your own people. We have an
eye on the main chance, for the most
part. But now and then some Of US
remember who it was that helped rid
us Of the boche. Yes. Then there
was that white bread. Well. what do
you expect when one has eaten only
bran and potatoes for two years?
Z-z-zut! It Is but fair that I should
make some small return. My best
wishes for your success. M. Kinney"
And he leaves Bucky, his mouth still
open. diggin' into the black dirt with
the toe Of his rubber boot.
You know, Bucky," I suggests.
were plannin' to put your name in