Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-07-08
His "Rag
and Bone"
(Copyright)
By J. J. DE LONG


time to burn, left the train for a shave,
q cocktail, and a walk.
he took the cocktail first.
Then he stepped into a barber-shop,
F1moved his hat and coat, delivered
them to the brass-faced boy in charge
OF such things, and, looking neither to
the right nor the left dropped into a
chair.
The obsequious barber, after noting
q ~three-day growth of beard, inquired
his pleasure.
Il want a shave, a massage, and a
shampoo" said John Henry, adjusting
himself to the comfortable curves of
the chair.
"And a m~anicure?"
"Yes!" mechanically, for he was
gazing at the mirrored ceiling and
thinking nothing, but at the first stroke
OF the azo he became aware of the
preliminary work being done by the
lady of the files and shippers, and,
closing his eyes to the glare of the
shop, he began a review of the events
of the day.
How, after kissing his wife and
shaking a dada" to little ]. a., who
had been held up to the window and
his admiring gaze for that purpose,
he had found a day of good business
awaiting him at the office.
Hic puifo bod pboDo5 oho,A 49,, -
inquire if he had not forgotten ome
thing, and how she had refused to say
what that Something was, when he
failed to place 1t.
How mys~teriously happy she SEEM
ed to be under the circumstances.
At that point John Henry Jingle
tops attention was distracted by three
htle taps of a velvety hand on the
back of his own, and a moment later
the other hand was at rest under the
refining. influence of snugly comfort
able quarters, and comforting manipu-
lation, and he went back to his dream
ing.
Came again the tap, tap, tapping Of
the velvety hand.
He began to wonder if she would
accept his hospitality, but before he
could put the question another vision
came to him. 1t was a ride In the
park, with here and there a stop for
additional refreshment, the fairy be-
coming more and more fairylike until
Just for fun, you know-he caught
her In his arms and learned that she
wasn't a fairy at all, but an atom OF
real humanity.
1t pleased him nightly that she en-.
tered so thoroughly into the spirit OF
a good time. He realized that he
would not get home until a late hour
but, oh, happy invention, was there
not an out-of-town customer to detain
him2
Came another love tap, and, thank
Heaven, at the same moment the sus-
pense made necessary by the massage
was ended!
There was a convulsive, uplifting
movement of the chair, which. brought
the dreamer into close communion with
the fairy of his vision, who proved tC
be all he had pictured her.
She looked into his face-smilingly
inquiringly-and John Renry impetu'
DUSTY cancelled the order for a shampoo
"YOu do good work, Little Bright
Eyes" said he, when he had adjourned
y to one Of the little side tables which
served so well for the finishing strokes
Of the manicure's art.
Il am glad you think So" returned
the fairy, whose name was Geraldine
and who cheerfully and confidently
added: "If you'll let me treat you
cutfcle, I'll train 1t s. it won't neet
cutting at ALL"
sand if you will let me treat you tt
an oyster, 1 can train you to like
nice little dinner" said John Henri.
boldly; but, fearing a refusal to 81
abrupt a proposal, made an answe,
unnecessary by adding: "T1l smok'
a cigarette if you don't mind"
"Not in the least" said Geraldine
II rather like the smell Of tobacco"
sand the taste?" inquired Johl
Henry, returning to his mutton. "
suppose you indulge OCCASIONALLY
mot even occasionally" returne
the little lady, smiling. II shouldn'
care to have my fingers stained b
nicotine"
STAINED fingers is not an unusus
sight in the best of society,"" said job
Henry encouragingly.
But I'm not a society lady"
mo-" returned John Henry II
fectively. "YOu are just a very SCI
aible little manicure lady,"
.Just a manicure lady,"
Living with your %parentsT"
~No, with another very sensib
little manicure-lady."
-Just you two?'
~Just we two"
"Cook your own mealsT (Be car
fnl, John HenryD
"Yes," said Geraldine, land it's 10
OF fun"
ut would be lots Of fun II we we
% have a nice little snack togeth
a0night, don't you thinkY'
.And leave poor little Marion
afcne? No, indeed; the poor chi