Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-08-04
PEANUT
BY RUTH WOLF.

COt 1IoIH tNe Gay OF nef ARRIVAL. Sne
was capable worker, however, and
very soon made herself respected fol-
her "gray matter" among the large
stair of clerks In the big Office of
Wheeler & Co., architects.
A too-familiar Office boy had smll.
ingly saluted her as Babe" on her Sec
ond morning in the Office, but her
freezingly disdainful reply had put
an end to that Immediately. However,
after she had been there some time, it
was discovered that she had a great
fondness for peanuts-"Peanut," she
therefore became to the entire office,
and Peanut she remained to the end
of the chapter
1t was a rainy, slushy morning and
Peanut almost late made vain eff
fort to put her umbrella on top Of her
locker to dry.
"Guess you need some help, child"
said CHEEKY masculine voice behind
her, and Peanut startled by unexpect,
ed sound, wheeled around sharply.
The old locker. Mt best none too steady,
lurched forward and crashed to the
floor.
With warning cry, the man leaped
forward, and with one arm shooting
out, sent Peanut sprawling and safely
out of harms way. Not so fortunate,
her rescuer, however, for the heavy
locker. as it fell, caught him before he
could get out Of the way. and sent him
to the floor, his leg pinned fast.
"Oh. please, please lie STILL" she
begged, "and I'll try to get you out"
and in spite Of his pain the young
mans eyes twinkled-for the locker
was like mountain beside the girl.
Guess you'll never move that thing"
he said; "but I'll be quiet, and you run
downstairs and get some one up hero
to help" And Peanut rushed away.
1t proved to be nothing worse than q
wrenched ankle that resulted from the
accident. 1t was a very subdued Pea
nut who clicked at her typewriter keys
all that morning. and although the
news Of the accident had spread like
wildfire all over the office. no one as
vet had been able to learn the name
Of the hero.
1T was no one I had ever seen
around here before" confded Peanut
to the other girls in her section, "but
I'm going into Mr.. Wheeler's room at
noon to inquire about him. I feel that
it's my duty"
So she raped timidly at her en-
ployer's office door, and in response
to low-voiced "Come in," Peanut en-
tered. '-:>.a-<.,.,-,.,.,,-~
!, She stopped short in amazement at
the sight which met her eyes. There
sat. her rescuer of the morning, COM
sse:rtahlg leaning back In q BIZ office
chair, smoking a clgaT-his b@hdaged
foot resting on low stool Opposite
him sat Mr.. Wheeler (regarded as a
most stern and unapproachable man
by all the office force) just as comfor-
tably seated, and smoking just as con-
tentedly. Peanut gazed from one to
the other, her confusion growing great !
er every moment, and sending most |
becoming flush into her cheeks.
"I-er-I came" she stammered.
''And am very glad you did" fn- :
shed the younger Of the two men, smil- |
Ing 'Now, dad, you can properly in
troduce me to this young lady, whom
handled somewhat roughly this morn.
ng.'
"Ahem, this is Miss Marjorie Pierce,
Ted, one Of our most capable clerks. !
Miss Pierce, this young man is my son,
who thought to surprise me with WIS.,
t today-and succeeded admirably"
"Oh, Mr. Wheeler, l am so sorry!"
exclaimed the girl earnestly; at really
vas all my fault, and it's too bad that
7our son should have to suffer for
ny stupidity" 49,. .2.sa.-,, ~..,.e~...
"Why, dad. said Ted, II gave poor
Mss Pierce such push it nearly land
ID her in the middle Of next week."
Eyes, true enough" answered his IA
her, with a twinkle in his usually
teen, gray eyes. II believe I've heard
he name Peanut in connection with
Hiss Pierce" And Ted Wheeler's eyes
'egan to dance.
"Oh, Mr. Wheeler-that's just nick.
lame the girls gave mel never
lreamed that you knew about it."
swell, Junior, I'm going downstairs
n rot the machine and take you
,orie, 3 said Wheeler; senior: 'r'll 1edve
Iiss Pierce here to help you get ready
and ri be back shortly" And he J
eft tfem.
"If you'll tell me where your hat and
oat are I'll get them for you. Mr..
and the young man pointed
q q closet in the corner of the office.
iarjorie brought them and silently
,elped the junior Wheeler into his ul-
ter. He moved obediently as she
directed, so that she could button 1t
IS he sat in the chair. ;
you'd make capital nurse, Miss
'ierce," he commented.
"Oh, but Mr.. Wheeler, please let me
10 something for you while you are at
home. Can't / get you something to
lelp you pass the time, so you won't
eel lonely?"
"Why, yes-come to think of it, l
yuess you can. I'll speak to dad when
,e comes up, and ask him to lend you
@ me for the next couple of days"
"Me! Why, what can do fer you at
didn't maan-why, what can
vou possibly want Of me?"
WELL" said the young man, 81 have
always been very fond Of peanuts-and
| foresee that I'm going to like them