The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-04-02

10 ledVe the army anu get INTO harness
again, but after all there's plenty of
excitement right in the United States.
Big work to be done, son! Big money
to make. And it helps the war along,
too. I tell you there never was big
ger opportunity to make money than
there is right this minute. The hard
job isn't to find the scheme it's to find
the men to run it. Don't you worry
you'll land something right off
the bat"
"Thanks for the compliment !"
ooh, it's no compliment! Anybody
can make money these days. It's q
plain statement of fact -. Say,
let's go in and have something. Come
in and be sociable. What you wants
a drink. Am right or am wrong?"
"Well--"
sand that's what the doctor or
dered! Come on! It's on me-"
The other man hesitated. and at
last succumbed, out of sheer uncon-
Germ, to companionship he realized
in advance would be distasteful.
Gall right" he consented briefly /;
and together, arm in arm. they STUN
bled and tackled across the treacnerous
deck, and presently crossed the thresh-
old into the hazy light of the smoking
room. Harmon, smiling broadly, wiped
the brine from his smarting eyes.
snow, then" he said, what particu-
lar brand of poison do you" And
broke off short and stared, fascinated,
at the extraordinary young man In
front Of him. -
He was anywhere from twenty-five
to forty, this American from the dis
tant trenches, and his age was as hard
to guess as clever woman's; there
was something about him peculiar to
youth, and yet when his face was in
repose, he might easily have claimed
two score of years and gone undis-
puted. 1t was face which suggested
both the fire of immaturity and the
drain of experience; there was breath
taking gravity about it, hint of the
dignity of marble, of ageless perma-
hence. 1t was slightly thin face,
SCARED by heavy line or two, and
indelibly stamped with the evidence
Of intense thought and inward suffer
ing; but it lacked the hollows which,
at the first glance, should have sup
ported the evidence. 1t was a thin and
oval face, with q mouth of large and
sympathetic sweetness, a forehead
white and high, prominent, delicate
nose, and irises of clear, luminous
gray. 1t wasn't altogether an Anglo
Saxon type Of countenance, nor was
it definitely European; it seemed
rather to have taken all the better
qualities from several races. 1t was
a face to inspire immediate trust and
confidence and respect, and Harmon,
despite his lack of practice in all three
Of these reactions, was evidently at
tracted by it..
"Vichy- Celestins for me-" said the
old-young man indifferently.
"Tll I guess I'll have vichy
too" said Harmon, relaxing. eff it
wasn't for something can't just de-
scribe I'd say well, never
mind. Err 80. what business have
you been in, by the way?"
The younger mans reply was tardy
and not particularly gracious.
"Why, the longest time ever put
in at any one business was selling In
surance. The last thing did was to
sell bonds. Why?"
Harmon stiffened. "a salesman
Good Lordl That's the last thing in
the world I'd have but, say !!
You must have been a whirlwind |!
Why, man with presence like yours
would hardly have to open his mouth
You've got a sort Of I'll be
hanged If know what to call 1t /. f.
but kind of feeling, IL you know
what mean. Salesman! Why, all
you need is an Introduction and dot
ted liner
The young man laughed rather for
lornly and slipped his vichy.
"Just at present haven't either"
Harmon's gaze was unfaltering, and
his sinterest and admiration bounded
higher. Mechanically, In accordance
with his habits, he was striving to dis
cover how this new acquaintance
might be put to practical use. "Was
right, or. was I wrong? Playing In
hard luck don't strengthen a mans
courage much, even If he tries to bluff
himself into thinking it does. Cut out
the regret stuff; that's my advice, and
you can take it or leave it. Forget
all that tough luck you had over here,
and get busy figuring out how you're
going to cash in on all your expert
ence. Americas full of chances
you'll land something big in no time.
Can't help 1t If you try. Salesman
Son, you're carrying your best recon-
mendation right on top Of your own
shoulders !"
The young man gave him back a wry
smile and finished his vichy.
81 only hope it comes true he said.
Harmon looked at him steadily. and
falling under the spell of those radiant
features stared and stared until he
came to himself and all at once
brought his fist down on the table, so
that the glasses rang again.
swell, why shouldn't it? AS a mat
ter of fact, why shouldn't it?"
The younger mans expression hadn't
changed. Meaning what?"
Meaning" said Harmon deliberate
ly, that the first thing I've got to do
when get home is to hunt up couple
of good statesmen myself. Are you
hunting for good job, or aren't your
aren't you little hasty?' The
young mans information was sardonic.
i've cleaned up most of my money"
said Harmon very slowly to the cell
ing ''by making quick decisions.