The Glenwood post., 1920-03-13

Couldn't wait till afternoon to begin!
I'm delighted that you"
II wanted to say" George began,
but his patron cut him off.
"Wait just 4 minute. my boy. I've
prepared a little speech of welcome.
and even though you're five hours
ahead Of time, mean to deliver It.
First Of all, your grandfather was my
old war comrade and my best client;
for years prospered through my con-
nection with his business, and his
grandson Is welcome in my office and
to my best efforts in his behalf. But I
want to confess, George. that during
your earlier youth 1 may have had
some slight feeling Orwell, prejudice,
not altogether In your favor but what
ever slight feeling 1t was, it began to
vanish on that afternoon, good while
ago. when you stood up r your Aunt
Amelia Anderson as you did in the
Majors library, and talked to her a. q
man and gentleman should. / saw
then what good stuff was in you-and
I always wanted to mention 1t. I think
you'll find an honest pleasure now in
industry and frugality that wouldn't
have come to you in a more frivolous
career. The law is a jealous mistress
| and stern mistress, but a."
George had stood before him in
and he was unable to allow the ad-
dress to proceed to its conclusion.
81 can't do It'll" he burst out. II
can't take her for my mistress"
"What?"
i've come to tell you, I've got to
ind something that's quicker. I
can't"
Old Frank got little red. Lets sit
down." he said. whats the trouble?"
George told him.
The old gentleman listened sympa-
thetlcally. only murmuring: "well,
well I" from time to time, and nodding
acquiescence.
"You see she's set her mind on this
apartment" George explained. "She's
got some old cronies there, and guess
shes been looking forward to the
games of bridge and the kind of HARM
less gossip that goes on in such places.
Really, it's life she'd like better than
anything else-better than that she's
lived at home, l really believe. It
struck me she's Just about got to have
1t, and after all she could hardly have
anything less"
"This comes pretty heavily upon me,
you know" said old Frank. II got her
into that headlight company, and she
fooled me about her resources as much
as she did your Uncle George. I was
never your fathers adviser, II you re-
member, and when the insurance was
turned over to her some other lawyer
arranged it-probably your fathers.
But 1t comes pretty heavily on me, and
feel certain responsibility"
"Not at all. I'm taking the responA-
bility." And George smiled with one
corner Of his mouth. "Pll tell you how
1t is, sir" he flushed. and. looking out
of the streaked and smoky window be-
side which he was sitting, spoke with
difficulty. II feel as if-as If perhaps
had one or two pretty important
things in my life to make up for. Well,
can't. I can't make them up toto
whom l would. It's struck me that,
as couldn't, might be little decent
to somebody else, -perhaps-if could
manage 1t! never have been particu-
larry decent to poor old Aunt Fanny
"Oh. I don't know: 1 shouldn't say
that. A little youthful teasingI
doubt If she's minded so much. II
seems to me she's had a fairly COM
Portable life-up to now-if she was
disposed to take 1t that way"
''But up to now is the important
thing" George said. snow is now
and you see can't wait two years to
be admitted to the bar and begin to
practice. I've got to start in at some
thing else that pays from the start,
and that's what I've come to you
about. have an idea. you see."
swell. I'm glad Of thatw said old
Frank, smiling. II can't think Of any
thing Just at this minute that pays
from the start"
"What is itf'
George flushed again, but managed
to laugh at his own embarrassment. II
suppose I'm about as ignorant Of bust
ness as anybody in the world" he said.
''But I've heard they pay very high
wages to people in dangerous trades !;
I've always heard they did, and I'm
sure 1t must be true. I mean people
that handle touchy chemicals or high
expl0sives-men In dynamite factories.
or who take things Of that sort about
the country in wagons, and shoot oil