Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-11-12
Rosalind's
Money Makers
By r. RAY BAKER

Most of our matrimonial failures
are due to lack Of business ability on
the part Of the husband. In these
dollar-chaslng days no sane woman
should consent to marry man who is
unable to prove the possession of
business acumen."
The speaker occupied the platform
In Crabtree Center's town hall. He
was n prominent retired banker,
touring the country on Chautauqua
circuit Crabtree Center was indulg-
ing In an intellectual fling this sea-
son, and Jealousy directed at the
neighboring village of Potato Springs
was the cause of 1t.
For three years Potato Springs had
supported lecture courses, and now
Its leading citizens were Boosting that
the community was the mecca of
culture for all Sand Lake county.
When the wealthy retired farmers
who were spending their declining
years In Crabtree Center heard Of this
they became righteOusly indignant
and Immediately furnished the where
withal to place their community in
the arena to fight for the blue rib
bon honOrs.
Rosalind MenthOrn, belle of the vii
lage, went home that night with "busi-
ness acumen" ringing In her ears.
She had never thought of the neces-
sity of such qualification when con-
sidering available supply of prospec-
tive husbands
Only recently she had put her two
most promising knights to the test
Of bravery with the understanding
that the one most valiant should have
her. Felix Sprlgglns, who was 200
pounds heavy, had been victorious
over Josephus Smartlox, 1875 pounds
light, in this deeds of valor" contest.
Rosalind dreamed that night of
business acumen and the next morn
ing she made decision. Bravery was
secondary consideration. Next to
moral rectitude business acumen was
what counted.
No sane woman should consent to
become the wife of n man who could
not prove the possession Of such acu-
men, and Rosalnd considered herself
sane. Her father was an ideal exam
pie Of the perfect husband, and he
owned the bank in which Felix and
Josephus worked.
"Im sorry, Felix" she told her fat
sutton, "but l can't marry you after
all-until you prove you have busi-
ness acumen. That lets Josephus in
for another phonpao
Felix groaned. Against Josephus he
feared he would stand little show In
contest Of wits, for Josephus was
tricky and Felix was guileless.
Josephus smiled with confidence
when Informed that his cause was not
lost. He felt he could turn the trick,
although he had no idea how to go
about It.
Luck seemed to be with him. On
the way home that night from Rosa
lind's dOmiclle he came across Slim
Jim LOngface, Crabtree Center's Indi-
an relic, who claimed to be hundred
years old, and his bronZed face bore
a thousand wrinkles as testimony to
the veraclty OF his assertion.
Slim Jim was looking hungrlly
through the window Of Happy Hanks
restaurant, where roast chicken re-
posed on an island of green things.
Got quarterT Jim grunted, ac-
costing JoSephus. Had no eats three
days. Been working lumber camp,
but not paid yet Ready to starve.
Got quartcr2"
Josephus was In a benevolent mood,
so he produced coin of the specified
denomination.
Thanks" said Jim. He started for
the restaurant door, but came back
close to his benefactor and said in n
low tone:
"You keep me from starving. I tell
you big secret Ottawas' treasure
buried on old Larkin place. Treasure
Is under rock that looks like horses
head at base Of oak tree the middle
one at north end Of land. Take from
me, kid; know You do me a good
turn. Now we square"
Josephus turned this information
over In his mind as he walked the
remainder Of the distance home. The
more he turned It the better 1t looked
He knew the ottawas were supposed
TO have buried their treasures in the
nelghborhood, and there were many
pieces Of land that resembled sleeves
due 10 the work Of fortune hunters.
II was two days later, after the bank