Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-20

friend for telling you, you're cute and
all CAD, L never seen any one could
touch you, but there amt no future
to little soubrette and chorus stuff like
yours. You amt got the voice, hon.
You're pretty as peaches, but"
"You--you'd take the life out of
any girl with your joy killing. Ever
since we left Higginsville and you came
and crowded Lee out of this seat, you
been sittiu' here joy killing"
But, Lo, darling"
Lemme alone"
Cant you understand, dear, that
Maybe I'm nothing but a little
baby doll and maybe 1 amt! Maybe
I'm all the names you call mo right
here on this seat and maybe 1 amt.
Myabe I'm nothing but q little flirt
and maybe amt. Maybe I'm going to
flirt with Lee in the wings tonight and
maybe l amt. Now whatta you going
to do about it?"
She threw down the gauntlet from
a high hand, the rod of resolve straight
ening her back.
II don't need to stand for no man
sitting here and running me down to
my face all the way from Higginsville
to Adalai. I'm an ambitious girl, / am,
sai6 to me right here in this train and
get away with them. Lemme out -
He unwound his feet and jerked his
coat lapels together angrily. Beneath
his tiny clipped hedge Of mustache his
straight lips were compressed.
What you need, my little lady, is
good spanking"
"You try it..
"a. good garden variety Of spanking
to bring you to your senses!"
Lemme out, you! / don't have to
sit here and be talked to by fellow
that amt a gent Spank me! You
You!"
She was edging past him to the aisle.
"Sh -h-h, you don't need to air your
temper to the company, Lo. Here
put on your coat. Here we are al
Adalai."
Down the length of the coach, heads
rumpled with sleep appeared slowly
above the backs of the seats as If emerg
ing from trenches. Bags were swung
down from racks. Voices thick with
drowsiness and querulous with trave
rose to a hum. The Forty Thieves
Company Strengthened stiff limbs
yawned, adjusted straps and hats ant
sat forward on the edge of seats in 6
knees and gazing out into the black
ness.
Without, the first lights of Adalai be
gan to flash past. here there, here
there; then g necklace of lamplight
defining an outlying street; a hollow
rafting over q trestle and black water
rejecting beneath.
Last came the busy twinkling light
of the township; an illuminated clocl
in tower, yellow as moon; bill
boards shining in the white flare o
street arc lights and brilliantly herald
ing the Forty Thieves Spectacula
Surprise.
At the far end of the coach younI
his flesh, sprang upon the first of tn
plush covered seats waving his ligh
brown derby hat, and then slapped j
on the back of his polished thatch o
hair. A cold cigar sagged at an OBJ
lique from his mouth, his tan waistcoat
open it's full length, swung apart t
reveal the bold design of his shirt. II
rammed the cigar in his waistcoa
pocket and opened his mouth in down
ward slant, cupping his hand around i
to inclose his voice.
"Thirty five minutes late. Compan
report direct to Opry House."
''For Gawd's sake, Lee, us girls hav
| gotta eat-say-"
"Cut it! If there's anybody in thi
company don't like the runnings Of thi
show, 60 holler down we'll"
"Aw, Lee, whatta you think this is
a four a day show? I'm sick. I gott
get some rest Or"
"Say. the next member Of this com
pany that let's out squeal can di
down in his jeans for fine before thi
train pulls in
The muttering rose like wind in
lonely place and the speaker threN
out his oratorical tones above it.
''This is decent town with a de
cent house; see that you treat it de
cent. The milk special for Moline pull
out from this station at 4:10-break
fast on board"
Jaw, Lee, whatta you think we ar
A 10! Say, a fellow that can han
out route like this would murder
man for subway ticket
Cut it, ] say, or down in you
jeans! Four ten is what | said--ladlcE
and gents waiting rooms at station
Four ten is what l said !"
He descended from the red plush seal
his mouth sagging and the livid red {
exertion in his face swelling it.
''All out. Buses at station. Don
lag"
that lunchstand alone. Pile in. Pile il
Hurry, girls, there's plenty room for al
Here, pile in the last bus, some of yol