The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-05-13
Chapter CO
THE BOOM


Looking backwards, Ruth saw that
1t was war which made her realize her
dream. For the war made a demand
for things manufactured in factories,
labor was in demand, wages went up.
and the people from far back in the
country who had never seen even so
small a town as the one Ruth lived
in, began to flock TO the factory
centres.
Marketown caught the boom.
One day Riley, the real estate man.
came into the Office. looking bored and
sleepy. Ruth began TO take things up
with him.
Here are some leases made out for
the old John Street houses. Do you
want to look them over? And I've
three tenants asking for Number 8
Park Avenue, I've let it to the highest
bidder. Thcn--"
Riley yawned little.
"All right, you fix it up. What are
you leasing the Park Avenue place
for?"
Il asked $40 a month. 1t used to
be SIS, but people are coming here
fast, and this man was clearly able to
afford that"
You're all right" Mr. Riley opened
mis- eyes for the first time and began
10 laugh. I don't know why l ever
come to the office, you can run it so
much better than could. Miss O'Neil,
do you want to be a partner and take
over the wohle thing for half the
profits? III pay the office rent, and
go shooting. I'd much rather do that
and not worry"
That was one Way that Ruth began
10 realize her career.
This winter I'm going to study law
at least all law having a bearing on
real estate" she told Langley.
The man laughed.
will you never STOP"
Why stop" Ruth asked. II have
TO make more money. and want to be
change of tone, the roof needs to be
repaired, and they want $500 for ii
and 5000 to paint the house, which also
is badly needed"
when do you start your law
studies?" he asked.
Two evenings a week with old Mr.
Johnson" Johnson was the first and
Oldest lawyer in Marketown, and had
the reputation of being very smart
and slick
You're going to the Club dance
Wednesday,"
Yes. with a senseless little boy
home from college. He's % and has
the brains of is
"Grandmother! And how old are
YOU"
Ruth loked up at him seriously
Her blue eyes were always little
round and wistful and they held g
world of gravity in their depths.
I'm 90 she answered. But II
wears and responsibility and eXper
fence I'm the oldest person in the
town"
Not older than l." From his grea
height the man smiled down upor
her Ruth liked his angular honlely
face immensely, she liked the large
nose and the gray eyes, even the way
His blonde hair was thrown back from
his high forehead
They stood and smiled "gravely a
each other for few seconds. -. /
We've both been, through hare
luck Ruth said finally. And we're
both on the way out of it. Isn't il
gorgeous TO feel success almost within
your grasp"
1T is. But wait until we begin build
ing out on the flats They start films
in next week, and before frost they'll
start the first block of model cottages
Ruth. your percentage of this deal vii
make you rich"
How rich?" she asked.
"Greedy!" was all he would answer
They met again at the club dance
among other things the girl hat
learned to dance very we'll indeed. A
one time during the evening. Ruth
college escort and Langley's fluff.
ri ortnc
these two, a little tired, sat out on tn
veranda-the country club now boast
ed a closed-i1f porch. furnished in cast
off wicker things.
What will you do with you
wealth." the man asked.
Ruth looked in at the dancers an
the lights and bright colors of tn
girls dresses.
of course if all our plans g
through, We will be rich" she answer