The Meeker herald., 1921-02-12
Straight and
Crooked
B, cEclLLE LANcDoN

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


yIllnre II had Two well trnversed iiior'
oughfares only. The first one had been
called Straight street from time I'M
memorial and was nptly so designated.
Branching on from II was what ma"
been originally mere COW pain NO
effort WAS made to untansle lis siiu
OsltIcs. The precise opposite OF lhe
brOn,l far extending street chileu
Straight, II was naturally ter'ieu
Crooked street. AS time went on an"
the town grew they changed the name
10 HcllepiaIne avenue. but the o'u seq
Tiers aud even the younger generation
very often called II by It's old name
IL was probably mere circumstance
hist lodged Vernon Blair on Sirn'sh'
street. The thOroughfare was respect
allie and he was of n character tiini
would seek such an environment. II
was predilection. however. that DRIFT
cd Blake Massey to Crooked street
Gradually that avenue had become oD-
scurc. It's houses dilapidnted. II WAS
the social dumping ground Of the town
and what there were of drinking places
md the like found a harbor that SUIT
ed them. Massey had decent rooms
nbOvc n pawn shop. He liked to ne
amid scenes of activity and excitement
and the place suited him. lie never
stopped to think that the companion
ship he incidentally gained was not
elcvating. hut he cherished his lively
evenings among men who liked to see
what they called "life."
He had charge of floor In me
principal department store or Inc
town and Vernon Blair was the man
ngcr of another paying the best sal
ary In the establishment. Blair had
worked hard and faithfully to gain
this c-enInence. lie had honest
dreams of future and when he feii
In love with Lcsbia Burrows he fan
cied he saw success before nm.
Blair was uneasy when lie learned
that Massey had been introduced to
Icsbia by mutual friend and noted
That his fIashy ways had certain
effect In Interesting Lesbia, her fami-
ly and her friends.
There was n haunting. spccious fell
low named Greg Barth with whom
Massey trained and one day at the
noon hour these two met In rcstnu-
rant near the store.
"Wcll. I fancy I've set the ropes"
was the greeting Of Bnrth. so FAR
MS this Burrows girl you are so wild
over. Is concerned. ! don't think her
folks will tolerate much Of E'nir's
company after n letter I have got a
particular friend of mine In Empton
to write reaches them. That will he
his Guletus."
Nov then. about his position Mt
the store"
You know that little cousin OF
mine. Ned Trottcr. was transferred to
Blnir's department last week."
ayes"
swell. leave the rest to Ncd I've
posted him and he Is clever ms they
make them. Pretty soon Blair's de-
partmcni will he In middle. missing
goods. neglect In deliveries md all
that. You understand?"
~ do" nssented his unprinciplcd
confrcre. land won't besrudse
liberal rake on when get the new
position"
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