Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-04-05
Opportunity
BY ALVAH j. GARTH
10. 1870. western Newspaper Union)

low citizens. He had led an easy
going, humdrum life in Woodville;
had always earned good living, had
some property. and, by a curious
switch In local politics, was nomi-
mated as a candidate 10 the state SEN
ate and was very proud and ambitious
over the circumstance.
II was of his motherless daughter
Myrtle that he first Thought when
public honor was thus thrust upon
him. He had guarded her jealousy
since early girlhood, often mapped out
mentally career of social promi-
neHce, a husband with a future, but
no one coming along who exactly
answered 10 these requirements, the
stubborn, self-opnionated old fellow
had discouraged male company for
Myrtle, and she had led a rather
dreary and companionless life.
He was seated with her upon the
porch engrossed in discussing his
prospects and plans with her mean
time casually and indifferently cycling
q stranger seated on lower step max
ing way with lunch Myrtle had CIV
en- him. He was poorly dressed, I'M
shaven, looked the tramp and home
less one, indeed; yet there was some
thing about him that suggested better
days. All the signs were of poverty
and not of dissipation. He had
clear, intelligent eye. and when he
had asked for food he had Insisted
first on earning ii by wedding gar
den patch. More than once his glance
wandered TO blithe, lissome Myrtle.
and at the same time he took in what
her father said:
"You can see am In a predica-
ment, Myrtle, and there seems TO be
no one here in Woodville who can
help me out of IL. OF course, right
here at home, where all my friends
live, ! will get the full vote. The
other counties have TO be canvassed,
though. In fact, must have smart,
up-to-date campaign manager and
some one TO help me get up my
speeches in presentabe form"
Just then a girl friend came along
the street and called TO Myrtle. who
joined her at the gate. Her father,
left alone, looked somewhat surprised
as the stranger, removing his tattered
cap, came upon the porch.
mfr. Bruce" he said. II have been
listening to what you have said about
your political situation. l am fully
experienced and prepared TO act in
your behalf"
"Youv calculated Bruce amazedly,
scanning the trampish attire before
him.
"Yes. Don't judge n down-and-out
without knowing something more than
the surface tells about him. You can
call me Bertram Carlisle. That is
not my name, but 1t will answer. l
was for two years private secretary
TO the governor of Western state. j
managed a long campaign for him. l
wrote his speeches and they re-elect-
ed him. Then hard luck came TO me.
Set me on my feet; give me a chance
and see what ] can do for you"
IF what you say is true" spoke
Bruce, after a minute of meditation,
"come to my Office downtown in an
hour"
The so-called Bertram Carlisle re-
fused to tell more about himself when
he appeared in response TO the APP
pointment. They had a long talk.
Carlisle had not been particularly no.
ticed in the town. Bruce trusted Linn
with a hundred dollars, with instruc-
tons TO get himself In shape in a
neighboring town.
When Bertram Carlisle returned
next day to Woodville he was like a
new being. When Mr.. Bruce took him
TO the house and introduced the we'll
groomed Mr.. Carlisle to Myrtle, not
for a moment did she connect him
with the tramp of two days previous.
The young man soon proved his
expertness. gaining the desirable pub
Lefty for his client, helping him frame
his speeches and scoring a complete
success. Bruce made a creditable
campaign, was elected by large n"-
jority and paid his helper a very lib
eral sum for his active cooperation.
1t was six months later at the state
capitol that father and daughter met
Carlisle at q reception. Time had
improved the young man and Myrtle
looked startled when he was adj
dressed as "Mr. Gage"
"That is my real name, Miss
Bruce" explained the young man. "a
wanderer, / was at odds with my IA
Their when you first knew me-" but he
did not then allude to his tramp ex-
perlence.
That came later, after he had Wis.
tied Myrtle at her home several
times, and had expressed the love he
felt for her and knew that she re-
turned his affection.
do you think i care the less for
you because you were estranged from
your family and in poverty? All, no!
said Myrtle. "You were only prince
in tatters. You love me, that is all
IN ALL"
And Woodville never knew the true
story of the engaging young man who
had helped Arnold Bruce win his way
and had won as his bride the belle
of fho vflfoUo