The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-12-25

ElN had been drudging along in the office of NAL
u Liskeme Tor four years. He had started in as cler
ad ne was stl clerk Max was not lacking in ability HI
had earned advancement several times over bt the boa
OF the fim had found his work good where he was anr
d not care to change. For Abraham Erskeine was no
Wo'iea about the welfare of those who worked for him
suteo MS purpose to keep efficient clerk slavinq
"long at twenty week. while he hired stranger for nv
cFerutve position at double or treble that amont be did
80. II the clerk wanted to quit, he could do So There
are always plenty of men to fiji such nositions !,
most OF them are inefficient.
Max Martin raised up from his sooped nositior o,or
the DOCKS, stretched his back and gave long sigh He
was young, was Max. Scarcely over 25 Yet in his face
was weary dslusioned word-wom look better
.lhg tne man OF fortyfve For he had been dreamer
One OF those unhappy mortas to whom il is given tc
aream wonderful beautiful unsefsh dreams To whom Il
gwen 10 toll all through life in vain effort to bring to
some sort OF realization the ideals for betteent and for
tne turherance of happiness among earhs unfortunate
ones On this night in particular his face was drawn and
Long hours of toll for many days in succession
nad reduced his vitality His resistance to suggestion had
Teached the ebb 1t is to the boards of men sch as
much deprecates. ~' ~ ''
Hello, Max Going out with the Girl tonight?"
cheerliy interrupted the office boy.
h, mo- Jake haven't any girl Too busy here. Don't
nave nave any me 10 ve you know Damn all Jake, some
o hsr es Wna ~nt Why do like
selling their lives for pance while other men, like old
trskee pile up hoard of wealth they can never use It
Is enough 10 drive man crazy, some times-Oh WELL
:, Aw, know what's the matter with YOU Max.
You've been working too hard during this Christmas rush
NOW It's over. Come on Max. bunch of us are going
out for JOY ride tonight Sort of Christmas eve blowout
you know Join in the crowd. Wen show you the time of
your young fe and make you forget the old office for
Whiie anyway Don't he an old man, Max-life is worth
living, If you make il so. Come on"
And Max went. He was just poor denzen of one Of
our big cities whose playtme of life had been denied him
When the call of youth and pleasure came he could resist
no longer 1t wonderful time they had that night
our couples in big car out for time All of them like
Max overworked victims sof the Christmas rush season
Now that it was they celebrating with ven
yeance |
Max asked no questions about the car He didn't S
are For the night he had let down the bars of reserve
md convention What did the world and it's silly conven-
ions and laws mean to him that night? He knew the t
rowd he was with. poor, hardworfing lot out for
pree Whatever the cost he could bear his share along
With them And the night on. Oh, what night n
was worth year of life such he put in at the office il
lie said as much, and he meant it, c.
The dawn was just beginning to streak the east What
beautiful Christmas morning The gay party driving az a
reakneck speed down suburban street in the early o.
avn called out merry Christmas" to few worlmel Ii
hey passed
A motor cycle chugged up behind them-Passed m
owed up and ran along side for short distance. b
Halt" beloved the rider. He pulled back his coat &C
pei and showed star.
where's your drivers license? Whose car yu got
ere" IA
Confusion reigned Jake, at the wheel, faced the d
,p "Say old top, aint got license. Pm drivin hi
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