The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-12-30
Big Happiness
BY VICTOR REDcLIFFE
(@. 1920. Western Newspaper Union.)

L
soliloquized Ben Rutter as brand
new auto, Respondent in shine, attach
ments and noiseless progress, circled
past him on the dusty country road,
and it's occupants, girl Of about
twenty and young man year or two
her senior, nodded crisply, casually,
and Ben knew that he was RELOCATED
to immediate forgetfulness.
''Humph!" he said little restively
and good deal hurt mentally, that
was Dolly Nugent and Ray Shad-
burne's new machine has caught her.
Excused herself last evening from q
drive in my plain but old reliable. That
ends another-no, won't say romance,
for it hadn't got that far-luckily.
Casting up affairs, I'm beginning to
think I'm not built right for Elsdene
society,""
Certainly Ben was suggestive Of
big overgrown boy, but in no way boor-
ish or awkward. He was the envy OF
every amateur sprinter and oarsman
in the district His good nature ever
edness baffled Indifference, even with
those who did not feel that he was
quite up to date in his notions. Ben
despised show and affectation and ex-
pressed the sentiment frankly. Out
spoken, clear-headed clean-minded,
he offended some, was feared by 9TH
ers who were not right themselves,
and the girls Of Elsdene seemed to
have a set model Of a "today' young
man that reminded Ben of dolls and
college graduates.
'Let me. see," he reflected as he al
lowed the auto to proceed leisurely,
"Ive not made much of hit since I
came here. Folks around copy after
the city and run in cliques. There was
Alva Lapham, a sweet, pretty girl any
one might like. She tried me out and
tired of me. Wearing my second best
to concert settled her. Then Wanda
Burt-coQuette all through and simply
had. fun with me. Greta Norris was
after money and my heap wasn't big
enough for her. AS to Dolly. she was
fairly bewitching, but don't smoke
cigarettes or wear a diamond ring or
spend all I've got on show and class,
as they call it, so she has given me a
final turn-down. Well, somehow feel
more like an escaped man than a dis
appointed one When I marry want
genuine old-fashioned big happiness
true hearts about me and comfort
rather than luxury"
Ben drove on for an hour or two
simply putting in the time of lovely
June morning. He gave a lift to
barefooted lad carrying his fathers
lunch to him in a distant field; he
drove mile away from the regular
road to accomm odate rheumatic old
woman, and at little electric railway
station took up lady, her child and
her satches and received warm thanks
for saving them two-mile walk. Then
Ben shifted and smacked his lips and
slowed up as half mile farther on
he neared farm house. The aroma
Of appetizjng cookery appealed strong
~ to his very human senses. He drove
out, and, hat in hand, knocked at the
front screen door of hOmelike farm
house.
A vivacious, healthy-faced girl, little
resembling in build and strength the
dainty, delicate devotees of culture and
fashion who had made Ben sick and
tired of femininity, appeared in an
swer to Ben's appeal at the old-fash-
toned knocker. She was all smiles
and dimples and seemed to recognize
a kindred spirit in the boyish careless
ness Of the young fellow who warmed
up magically to her greeting. ~
brought a message from my sis-
teri" she asked directly.
"Why, no! Who is your sister, If
may ask?" Intercepted the puzzled
Ben. '~1 Hv@
''Why, saw you deliver her and her
child at her home down the road"
"Oh, was that your sister," ques-
toned Ben. Happened to pick her up
on her way home. Nice lady; bright
little tot. What stopped here for was
lACuI, IL Sdi nave IL. Ill ucS-
perately hungry and that cookery fla
vor In the air halted me. OF course,
looking around at this well-kept place,
know you don't sell meals"
"But as you showed kindness to
Sister Bella, let me reciprocate, won't
you?" asked Ora Larned.
$50 can have the meal? won't
forget the favor. Say, it does my heart
good to get into real home, remind
ing me of mother. Let me just hang
around like boy ON a. vacation, won't,
you?" and Ben had hts way. and for
half an hour sat in the kitchen. a
Soon half dozen workers from the,
field came trooping in and introduce
lions to Ben followed. It appeared
that four families lived within miles
radius and great group of relatives
they made, unpretentious but con-
genial. ..... .r... -g.,.....t.
"Real big happiness call your COM
bination of good-natured. good-hearted
people!' commented Ben to Ora, as he
went his way. Can l call again?"