The Lamar register., 1920-03-10
mo MANS
PORT"
BY GENEvIEvE uLMAR


win Bross. Down late mornings
sleepy till noon, out of the office half
an hour before quitting time. 1t
won't do. Watch your step!"
Bross was attentive. but nnheeding
A month later, when someone asked
Mr.. Warren about the young man, the
response came:
Drifting. He was pleasant, ac-
commodating young fellow, but he
ldled his time away. Not vicious. nor
dissiputed. Just caught with the glare
of the town and it dazzled him. Start
ed wrong somehow in choosing his
business career and Incidence and
carelcSSuess have done the rest"
Slipping. drifting and then down
and Outr These were the three for
mldablc phases that contended with
well meaning, but happy go-lucky Mar
win Bross and won the contest. He
had come from n quiet country town
where he would have been success
with his easygoing. smiling ways and
familiarity with local business meth
DDS, and the city, instead OF being an
Impetus to ambition. became pleas
enjoyment.
The last phase Of Marvin's reckless
experience became very manifest to
him, as one chilly winter evening.
homeless. out of money aud work. he
crept into the hallway of public
building and crouched behind a radi-
ator.
Looks seedy. hut he's sober" OBJ
served one of two night watchmen a
little later. Here with shake of
Marvin's arm. 'where did you come
fromT"
ITS not where came from. gen;
tlemen," remarked Marvin pleasantly,
"but where Tm going to IL you turn
me out of this warm nest. I've had
bad luck What do ycu do in cases
ike minrf'
"He looks Of the right sort. only
down at heel" observed the other Off
Ger. 81 would say No Mans Port. He
looks the kind Old Salty favors.'
"All right. take him there" came
the response. see here. my man,
you're grazing vagrnncy and the mu-
nicipal court. 50 go with my partner
and see what old Salty can do with
you"
And who is Old Salty. IL / may
askT" propounded Marvin.
Every mans friend who deserves
chance. Hen be your free landlord
for night. anyhow"
Marvin followed the officer. He was
curious, Interested as they reached
store.
Here's another derelIct to add to
your fleet. Salty"
The dueerest appearing man Marvin
had ever met nodded and regarded
this new recruit with one probing eye.
He looked the retired old mariner
complete. He had also only one arm
and WINS battered up otherwise like
some son OF battle.
You seem To need meal and a
bed" he observed to Marvin. Dream
over having found a free harbor and
have talk with me in the morning"
and he led Marvin into another room
where frugal but wholesome table
was spread. and then to one Of the
dozen partitioned-on compartments
supplied with clean. comfortable cots.
In the morning he questioned Marvin
In fntherly way and said;
You talk right, now to get feeling
right. The matter with you is that
you have lost your bearings. Suppose
| ind them for you-will you try TO
do me creditr'
III you mean a job" replied Marvin
eagerly. "Just try me. I've had my
lesson"
Before the day was over Old Salty
who was one OF those philanthroplsts
who do good deal for humanity with
out saying much. had secured Mar
win position as attendant to a young
mnn Il confirmed invalid. going South
for his health For five months Mar
rin applied himself diligently to his
duties. He was well paid and when
the invalid died his parents made Mar
vim 20 grateful present of thousand
dollars. lie was new and welcome
Marvin when he reported to Old Salty.
You've stood the test" remarked
the old mariner. Nov. then. to get
back 10 the old basis. Ny lad, you
made II mistake when you left peace
ana plenty for the city. You took the
wrong road. A man can never mend
mistake without going back direct TO
the original environment and starting
"a, ali fresh again log yDur memory