The Lambertville record., 1920-10-15
By SEWELL FORD

ested. mo family, suppose?" he
suggests.
Sure he has," says l. "That kind
generally does. Only it doesn't bother
him much. Yes, believe Bill has a
wife and several kids somewhere Up
in Lawrence, Mass, l think She
works in a mill AS for Bill, he's sup
posed to be out scoutn' for job. I've
found two for him. That's all the
good it's done. He lasted two weeks
in one place, which is about his rec
ord And yet kind of hate to see
him go hungry-he amt just the type
that should be panhandlin' around"
What do you mean by - that,
Shorty? asks Tupper.
why" says l, 81 don't know as l
can say exactly. Only he seems cut
out for something big-a senator or a
bank president"
Tupper smiles and shakes his head
doubtful
Here, take look at him. says l,
steppin' up and swingin' open the gym
door. There he is, restin' easy"
And even slouched down in an Office
chair with his feet on the window sill
he does look sort of imposin'. Just
the bulk of him, to say nothing of the
way his big head is poised on the
strong neck, or the odd streak of gray
hair that shows on top. Tupper takes
good look.
You're right, Shorty" says he. ''If
that man was shaved and cleaned up
and well dressed eh would pass any
where for a-oh, l say!" And the
next thing l know Tupper has pushed
| the door shut and is grabbin' me ex-
cited by the elbow. why not him %
| he whispers husky.
"Eh?" says I.
"As my understudy," he goes on.
1 expect l stares at him. "You-
you wouldn't really try to pull that,
would you?" I asks.
Certainly" says eh, "if it could be
arranged"
But how" l asks.
at ought to be simple" says Tup-
per. Il could coach him as to what
he had to say, fix him up, put him at
my desk, and introduce him as Muir
dock Tupper l might appear as his
private secretary. Yes, perhaps that
would be best. He could consult me
when in doubt. Really there wouldn't
be much for him to say. Simply yes
or no. Everything is practically de.
cided now Only they want to see me.
And if they could see this Hilton per-
son-say, Shorty, let's see if he'll try
it,
Sounds kind of batty to me, Tup-
per-" says l, "but you're the doctor.
Come on.
And minute later I'm putin the
proposition up to Bill. How'd you
like to sub in as head of stock
brokerage firm and swing a million
dollar deal asks.
Whats the joke, Shortly" says Bill,
in that detp, rumbly voice of his.
"The joke will be on bunch of De
troit plutes," says l. "That is, pro-
vided you can give a half-hour imita-
ton of big business man"
"Me?" says Bill, steadyin' down
them shifty eyes and starin' at me-
"Uh-huh," says I. Course, you'll
be costumed for the part, and the
scene will be set proper Then all you
got to do is imagine you're Mr.. Tup
per hert, and that you're about to be
persuaded to handle this big stock
issue that he'll tell you about. Get the
dea?"
1t was hard to say whether he did
or not. He just gazes at me, stupid
but dignifed.
Perfectly bully" says Tupper, eff
you can only look like that you'll have
EN- jumping through a hoop. I'll
make it worth your while to try, you
can be sure of that. And perahps it
won't end there. I may be able to give
you a permanent situation at a good
salary What do you say, eh?"
You'd most thin ka down-and-outer
like him wouldn't have stopped for a
econd thought, but would have jumped
at the chance Not Bill Hilton.
though. What mind he's got always
seems to run in low gear and he amt
sure at that if he's in reverse or not.
Il don't know" says he, runnin'
his fingers over the chin stubble aim
less.
well, Pm decidin' for you," saws
1. You'll try it or else you'll he
turned loose without taht five you was
expectin' to nick me for It's tomor-
row you need him, amt it, Upper "
AT 2.3O P. NJ" says Upper, "but
1 shall want him in my office by 11.O0
A M, at least"
He'll be there" says I, "If l have
to tow him at the end of dog chain.
And about the costume? How deep
do you want to splurge on that"
Go as far as you like, Shorty"
says he. "Just moment. There!
My check for couple of hundred. and