The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-09-30
For Sale for
$1,000
BY r. RAY BAKER.

turned down by Christine WenslOW,
but 1t was bitter disappointment.
Frankly Casper Hopkins had ad-
mitted repeatedly to himself that
there was no reason why the most
beautiful girl in Waterford should
look on him with favor. There were
handsome sultors who lowered about
her threshold, and when the good
looks had been distributed Casper
must have been absent, FOR he was
very plain-loOking young man.
There were athletes who aspired to
her hand, and in physical dimensions
and strength, Casper made poor
showing, Tor he was q rather runty-
looking specimen of manhood. There
were rich mems sons who wooed the
fair maiden. and here again Casper
did not shine, for his future was
wrapped up in shoe store In which
he expected to buy an interest some
time soon.
But he had hoped against hope,
and now his heart was broken. Hav-
ing received the fatal answer, he
turned from Christine and slowly,
with eyes downcast, approached the
door of her home, which he vowed
he never would darken again once
he stepped out into the dark world.
Casper"
Her voice arrested him as he was
turning the knob.
Christine sat on davenport, in a
detected posture, looking at him with
lack-luster eyes.
"Will. you come here, Casper?' she
said. Il will explain some things to
you. intended keeping it from
you, but I feel it is due You. You
have been very nice to me-"
He sat on the davenport beside her.
Il will not mnce words" she told
him, speaking rapidly. "The fact is,
Casper, | am about to offer myself
for sale"
"You-you--" Casper suffered,
unable to believe his ears.
Il am about to offer myself for
sale" she repeated. "Casper do
not wish to appear conccited. but
there are several young men who
wish me to marry them, and / shall
accept one-for one thousand dollars
cash | need the money. Father, yOn
know, is in the hospital, and the only
thing that will save his life is an Op-
Grafton that will cost the amount
have mentioned. 1t will not be the
first time such a plan has been used
about a New York girl who made Il
| similar offer, with a similar purpose
| in view, and that gave me the idea
The only assets we have are some
worthless mining stock, this home
which father has always lived in, and
and me. am going to sell myself
Goodby."
Casper went out, walking in a
trance of misery. 1t was Sunday
and his services were not required
at the shoe store where he was EN-
ployed; so he set out for long
walk in the woods. He scarcely knew
where he wandered, his thoughts
were so busy. His dream was shat
tered, his heart broken, and he cared
| little what happened. To think Of
| the girl he wOrshiped becoming the
bride of a man she did not love
for one thousand dollars!
BY the time Casper had walkeC
three hours there was differen
light in his eyes, expressive of 5
combination of determination ant
desperation.
| With hurried steps he made hi
way to the house where he roOme'
and boarded. From a drawer of hi
dresser he brought a bank book
which he opened. Seated on the edg'
of the bed, he stared at an array o
figures, smiling grimly.
"She's going to sell herself for /
thousand dollars" he unused. ever,
well, | will buy her myself. / low
her and I have just as much RICH
to her as any Of those rich men,"
Tears threatened in Casper's eyes
1t had taken him three years to say
llldI lnOuSdnus anu great hCni
pinching and scraping. he had Il
mind the purchase of an interest i
the shoe store where he worked, an
he had put off asking Christine t
marry him until he had accumulate
the necessary amount to go int
business. Now, IL he married Chri;
tine according to her own terms,
would mean starting all over agaIT
But Casper's mind was made up. ii
wanted Christine, even if he had
buy her.
But Casper felt he would be unequf
to the task Of appearing in person t
bid for Christine. So the next morI
ing, before he went to work, he penne
brief note. He carried this to wOr
with him, and when the bank wa
opened he drew out his funds and in
mediately transferred them to checl
ing account. Then he wrote chez
for thousand dollars and inclosed
with the note. He had exactly $75 le
to his credit in the bank.
With a peculiar feeling, somethir
like guilt, Casper dropped the note
mail box and returned TO his labor
That very night he received an answ'
III from Christine, and in the enveloI