Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-03-11

than than l do! Let's omit
the comedy; I'm talking business -
The young mans mouth curled
Don't be mistaken, Mr.. Harmon
there's very little joking in me when
l ever mention Syracuse" Harmon
shivered at the tone, but waved the
Photograph In soothing accusation.
You're not trying to sit there and
tell me"
Il told you was in hospital for
nearly year. l believe" said Hilllard
icily. ut was shrapnel-across the
face. As a matter of fact l didn't
have much of any face left. But the
surgeons-they're pretty clever. Yes
they're cleverw billiards. eyes were
needle points. "They make a man over
from his own photograph. In my OWL
case l preferred it differently. SO
when they asked me for something to
use as a pattern in remodeling me
gave 'em this" He tossed out a pic
| ture postcard, soled and frayed.'
| well, that's where the trouble began.
They cursed me up and down for a :.
still that part of it won't interest
yOu!" His eyes were blazing now, and
his voice shook with passion. "Natu-
rally l hadn't meant it as ID
literal as all that but they had
me under ether before 1 could help
myself . and they went through
with 1t and cursed me some
more afterward They couldn't
or hynf n
the best they could. Gloated
over 1t! Took infinite pains to make
1t perfect /. and sneered at me
while they did it! Sneered-and
laughed. Well, you've got the
results in front of you. That's what
l was-and that's what l am What's
your opinion now?" The last sentence
came snarling through set teeth.
The brokers' pupils had dilated
grossly; his eyes wandered racantly
from the photograph to the postcard
and back to billiards. face. His whole |
imagination was pinned down and
crushed; he swore softly under his
breath and wet his lips.
ITS a . miracleW he STAN |
mered. "a miraclc :"
"The photograph" said Hilliard |
harshly, sis the way they remember
me up in Syracuse. Do you think |
they'd ever recognize me now?"
ITS a miracle it's paralyZ- |
ing! :. :" Harmon swallowed hard |
and looked down almost fearfully at
the tlme-worn postcard. There's so
much difference nobody'd ever
think of 1t without knowing l.
but when you see the original!
1t 1t knocks me all in a heap! |
It's staggering! And they did that to
you! Just to think they could do that
to you: I've got to have a
drink !"
billiard motioned impatiently, but
his fit of rage was slowly going down.
There's no miracle about 1t at all.
1t was good plastic surgery. If they'd
sent me out looking as l used to you
wouldn't call 1t miracle, would you?
No. It's only what they did do that
makes It staggering. But it's clever
oh, yes-clever! And you can see for
yourself how few marks of it there
are" He drew long breath and man.
aged to smile again but the effect was
for while his features were
and kindly his eyes were
"Well. / certainly never
intended to go to Syracuse again for
pleasure, but If there's enough com
pensation to pay for the risk I'm not
afraid to try it on business"
His accent sent cold chills coursing
down Harmon's spine. I'm fact now
hat l think of it, 1t ought to be
rather amuslngw
The broker was striving to pull him
self together.
"But why on earth didn't you have
EN- use your own picture for copy
II they're as clever as .
Oh" He stopped short and his chin
lropped. "Oh! Is that the answer" .
yes" said billiard, reclaiming the
wo photographs. "That's the answer
didn't mind starting over again i.
'nly--" He sighed and inhaled might
ly. "Only take my advice, Mr.. Har.
non, and don't lose your temper JUS, |
'efore an operation"
Harmon breathed more freely, bur I
lie was still in violent intellectual dis
rcss. lie round face was vapid with =
we, and he was tongueing his lips in S
onstnnt nervousness, for the complete e
possibility of the situation was creep. 7
NJ over him. c
"If that's the case" he ventured, [
why they surely needn't rec :,
gnize your name either, Mr.. billiard, {
eed they? / mean, If you had any h
lea of going back to your home town a
1cognito as II were" II
"They wouldn't recognize anything
bout me-" said billiard dryly. His
neth, showing at the moment were A
'hte and regular as young VOLTS.
We won't discuss that side of II Just s.
\ |