The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-01
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
Back to His Ideal.
Do b. RAY RAKER.

BY n. hay BAKER.
Copyright, 1920, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
"HE three years war was over and
Leonard Moore was going home.
= The war in question had moth
ing TO do was England. France or
Germany II with private family
~sr-between Leonard Moore and ].
Sriffen Moore. Perhaps 1t had better
be termed rupture in relations, for
no shots were fired.
In his hand Leonard had the terms
Of peace. They were contained In a
letter from j Griffen Moore, who hap.
pened to be his father. The situation
was summed up in the closing para.
Graph Of the letter:
so the doors OF the old home are
open to you. I learn from reliable
sources that you have settled down
and made good as an. automobile
salesman. It has been a trying TIRES
years for me, all alone in the big
house except for the servants, but I
believe It has done US both good and
we will understand each other better
when you return. There is only one
obligation I will place you under; that
IL that YOU marry at once, and of
course 1t must be some one in our
own class. Maize Dixon would suit me,
and you used to appear extremely
fond Of her. I'll look for you shortly
II was the first communication from
his father since the latter sent hin,
out into the world to shift for him.
self three years ago. II was after
Leonard's second expulsion from COL
lege that the break occurred.
Leonard had steadfasuy refused to
shoulder any responsibility in life.
had never been vicious, but had trav.
eled with a clique that was not noted
for It's thrifty propensities or its mild
forms of amusement; had openly de.
fled hard and fast regulations OF the
school and had ended his, career
there with an extemporaneous valedic.
tory addressed delivered in the pres.
ence OF the faculty when the latter
summoned him before 1t and which
was far from being eulogy
The summons had resulted from a
series OF misdeI7eanors which had
come TO, the faculty's attention, but
when the faculty tried to express its
opinion as to the merit of Leonard's
sundry escapades the latter usurpcd
the stage and expressed his ideas con
corning the faculty, collectively and
individually. BE went home by the
next train, bag and baggage.
When j. Griften Moore shut the
door OF his magnificent home that
night Leonard was on the outside with
$500 in his pocket with which to try"
to make something Of yourself"
II woke Leonard up, and, taking an
inventory of himself, he decided 1t
was high time to assume a different
attitude toward life. Heretofore he
had been irresponsible, because his
father was wealthy and he was the
only heir; consequently there had
been no occasion TO shoulder respon.
sibility.
Now, of sudden, there was plenty
of occasion. He had been ,disowned
by his parent, and his reasoning fac.
ulties told him j. Griffen Moore was
right. So he went to work.
Three years later found Leonard a
successful salesman, rooming at a
place where other young business
men and women made their homes.
He had responsibilities, and he was
glad oft.
5 Not once had he implored aid of his
father. He was proud of himself. but
not too proud of to go back home
when invited: Leonard had no parti,
cular liking for hard work, and he
knew his father would get him a pc.
sit.on wlie2c that kind of activity
played minor role. He had worked
hard, but because he had 10.
His heart filled with exultation,
which showed in hisSeyes, he left his
room and walked down the hall, paus.
ing before a doo9, on which he knock.
ed 1t was opened by a pretty brun.
cite, rather 6iminutive, attractive. in.
telligent Young woman who smi:sf
hin welcome ana iuvisad him to a
chair.
tits come, Minnie" he announced
Tsleefully. Father has relented and
I'm to go home. The world is rosy
once more"
She walked to the window and look.
ed out. The smile disappeared from
her face when her back was turned
TO him.
Tell me about it." she said.
He did. There was no reason why
he shouldn't, because Minnie had
been his confidante ever since he
came to room here. They had been
great friends-nothiug more than
that-and had spent many an evening
together, discussing their hopes and
ambition. Minnie edited the woman's
page on one OF the newspapers, but
had an intense yearning to become a
police reporter.
4 know they don't have women
police reporters" she said, but
don't understand why seeing that
they have women policemen. Any
how, ] WAC. to be ono. I'm tired of
fashions and divorces and marriages