Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-07-22
By RALPH HAMILTON
Copyright. 1920. western Newspaper Union


This was true, and Nellie looked
trifle flustered as she thus called at
tention to the fact. Vance Drury had
got to be pretty steady company, and
Nellie's preference for him was SO
clearly shown that would-be suitors ac-
cepted the situation and it was pref
ty generally considered that Nellie and
Vance would make match of it.
A courteous. well-considered young
man was Vance Drury, and except for
the head of the household who stood
on his dignity with all of Nellie's Wis
itors. the family all liked him i'm
mensely. Not only the lovers, but Mrs.
Dodson and Nellie's two younger sis
tiers were always invited to become
an audience when Nellie and Vance
played their duets in the music room.
But one particular evening John
Dodson was all out of sorts. Bust
ness had been bad at the Office and he
felt tired and grumpy. He wanted to
get to bed early and make other peo-
pie do the same. The usual coterie
were enjoying themselves in the mu-
sic room when Mr.. Dodson stole from
the den unobserved and entered the
main living apartment whence the
family group had finally adjourned.
The lights were turned down low
and apparently no one was observing
him as he approached the clock on
the mantel shelf. The house was run
by this trusty old timepiece and
Vance pretty Systematically followed
its indications as to departure Mr..
Dodson noiselessly opened the glass
face of the clock. The hands stood at
half past eight. He deliberately
turned them ahead an even hour, Gid
ed back to the den and awaited the
contamination of his unlovely scheme
for sacrificing the contentment of
others to his own selfish ends.
At 8 O'clock correct time the music
room group returned to the main
apartment. It was Mrs. Dodson who
CHANGED first to glance at the clock
and in her pleasing polite way OBJ
served:
"Why, how late 1t is, declare you
two are SO engrossing in your delight
full music that time flies faster than
we realize" and consistent Vance,
while his face bore queer expression.
arose to go and within Is minutes
John Dodson, wickedly grinning to
himself, was ensconced in his comfort
able bed.
Alas! for the retribution of the fol-
lowing morning. The profoundly SUM
bering Mr.. Dodson has aroused by
the direful intelligence that 1t was
half past seven, and that If he expect
ed to catch his regular o'clock sub
urban train he must make short shrift
Of dressing and breakfast. He had a
wretched 20 minutes of haste and hot
temper, nettled to comprehend that
he was hoist by his own petard, for
he had neglected to set the clock right
after the departure of Vance.
Breathless. his scarf united, his shoe
laces dragging he reached the depot
Just in time to catch-the 7 o'clock
train! Mentally he scored himself for
forgetting that the clock had not been
restored to normal, taking it for grant
ed that the well trained servant had
gone by her own timepiece in her
usual morning activities.
He pumped down into seat and
then, looking about him, observed IN
familiar faces. "Why! this is not my
regular traln," he began, turning to
the other occupant of the seat. He
flushed, embarrassed, as he recognized
Vance Drury.
NO." replied the young man, this
is the o'clock. An hour earlier than
you thought, Mr.. Dodson? Perhaps
your clock was wrong"
eyes, 1t was"-.and then the speak
er paused glkltily.
II noticed you set 1t ahead said
Vance very calmly, and smiled. John
Dodson fidgeted.
"You did,"
YES" nodded Vance equally.
"And said nothing about it?"
"Oh, was too polite for that! Be
sides. the gentle hint had its effect.
The system of your household has my
I respect, Mr.. Dodson. And do you
know" continued Vance brightly, ait
was very fortunate for you that you
sent me home an hour earlier than
usual"
"Why, how so?" inquired the mysti.
| fed father of Nellie.
IA friend Of my father was at our
j home, just leaving. He comes from
the east to settle down here has
some large funds to invest and asked
me to send him to a good broker.
: named you, of course"
"Why, thanks" stammered Mr.. bod
son.
John Dodson gave Vance Drury g
warm greeting when he called upon
Nellie four nights later. Why not
| For had not the young man turned his
| way, an investor worth having?
And at 8 o'clock that evening, witt
| solemn wink at his prospective son
| fn-law, John Dodson turned back the
clock. This time Nellie saw 1t. ant
both she and Vance knew that the,
had stanch friend in father"