The Owosso times., 1920-11-19
Rosalind's
Money Makers
BY r. RAY BAKER

"oh"r-chuSing days no sane woman
should consent to marry man who Is
unable to prove the possession Of
business acumen."
The speaker occupied the platform
In Crabtree Center's town hall. He
was a prominent retired banker,
touring the country on a Chautauqua
circuit. Crabtree Center was indulg-
Ing In an intellectual fling this sea-
son, and jealousy directed at the
neighborfng village Of Potato Springs
was the cause of It.
For three years Potato Springs had
supported lecture courses, and now
its leading citizens were boasting that
the community was the mecca of
culture for all Sand Lake county.
When the wealthy retired farmers
VINO were spending their declining
years in Crabtree Center heard of this
they became righteously indignant
and Immediately furnished the where.
withal to place their community in
the arena to fight for the blue rib
bon honors.
Rosallnd MenthOrn, belle Of the vii
iage. went home that night with "busi-
ness acumen" ringing In her ears.
She had never thought of the neces-
sity Of such qualification when con-
sidering available supply Of prospec-
tive husbands.
Only recently she had put her two
most promising knights to the test
Of bravery with the understanding
that the one most valiant should have
her. Felix Spriggins, who was 200
pounds heavy. had been victorious
over Josephus Smartlox, 125 pounds
light, In this "deeds Of valor" contest.
Rosalind dreamed that night of
business acumen and the next morn
Ing she made decision. Bravery was
a secondary consideration. Next to
moral rectitude business acumen was
what counted.
No sane woman should consent to
become the wife Of man who could
not prove the possession Of such acu-
men, and Rosalind considered herself
sane. Her father was an ideal exam
pie Of the perfect husband, and he
owned the bank In which Felix and
Josephus worked.
"Tm sorry, Felix" she told her fat
suitor. "but I can't marry you after
all-until you prove you have busi-
ness acumen. That let's Josephus in
for another chance"
Felix grOaned. Against Josephus he
feared he would stand little show In
a contest Of wits, for Josephus was
tricky and Felix was guileless.
Josephus smiled with confidence
when informed that his cause was not
lost. He felt he could turn the trick,
although he had no idea how to 60
about it,
Luck seemed to be with him. On
the way home that night from Rosa
lInd's dOmcile he came across Slim
Jim Longface, Crabtree Center's Indi-
an relic. who claimed to be hundred
years old, and his bronzed face bore
thousand wrinkles as testimony to
the veracity Of his assertion.
Slim Jim was looking hungrily
through the window Of Happy Hanks
restaurant, where a roast chicken re-
posed on an island Of green things.
"Got quarter" Jim grunted, ac- !
costing Josephus. Had no eats three
days. Been working lumber camp.
but not paid yet. Ready to starve.
Got Quarterf"
Josephus was In a benevolent mood,
50 he produced coin Of the specified
~, e.
"Thanks," said Jim. He started for
the restaurant door. but came back
close to his benefactor and said In a
low tone: ''- -.-
"You keep me from starving. tell
you big secret. Ottawas' treasure
buried on old Larkin place. Treasure
70 under rock that looks like horses
head at base Of oak tree, the middle
one at north end Of land. Take from
me, kid; know. You do me a good |
turn. Now we square,"
Josephus turned this information |
over In his mind as he walked the
of the distance home. The |
more he turned II the better II looked. |
He knew the Ottawas were supposed |
to nave Durleu lnelr treasures III Tie
and there were many !
pieces Of land that resembled sieves |
due to the work Of fortune hunters.
It was two days later, after the bank |
had closed in the afternoon, that Fe- |
lix Spriggins called on Rosalnd, DIS
playing face that looked happier |
than usual and more rounded than
usual. IL that were possible.
"Rosalind, win," he announced. II
have proved my business acumen. You
know the old Larkin place was the
only inheritance from my father.
The land Is so poor you COULDN'T raise
tin cans on II, and It's so full of rock
vou couldn't make an excavation for
house.
"Here's where my business acumeu
comes in. Sylvester Gordon came to
ne today and offered to buy the Lar
rim place. Ordinarily I'd have let him
nave II for fifty dollars, but thought
n This ncumen business, and set my
,rice at two hundred. Sylvester
onJ horp'S tho twn