Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-11-05
AN EASY OLD GInk'
BY GAIL WHlTEHOUSE.


entity. as he observed from the corner
of his left eye the approach of a
bare-headed, elderly gentleman. an ex-
preston almost Of Intelligence dawned
upon his d0ughlke features.
Then, as il performing a rite, he
bent above the puddle, tenderly re-
moving the hat, he wiped it carefully
with sky-blue handkerchief. AS the
gentleman drew up smiling and puff
ting, he presented the hat with grave
ceremony.
Course. if it hadn't been for me-"
he suggested, tentatively.
The elderly gentleman chuckled,
fumbied through his trousers pockets
and brought to light a few pieces of
silver and a crumpled bill, He passed
he bin to the youth
Here, SON Smiling cordially he
pulled the hat more firmly over the.
ears and turned in the direction of
the square Nice lad" he told him
self. Mice and accommodating"
The tlabby-faced young man eyed
the bin, thrust it carelesSly into a
convenient pocket and again sought
the telegraph pole with his spinal col
umn
Easy old gink,' he mumbled.
AT the edge Of the square the elder
" gentleman paused. then proceeded
toward the nearest bench. one end Of
which was occupied by small. black
haired child ami a jaded doll.
The child noted his approach with
sullen eyes. Thoughtfuuy She grasped
the doll and gave 1t little shove
along the bench.
Hello, mister"
The elderly gentleman peered down,
his round face beaming with good hui
NOR
well, good afternoon, sister. Going
to let me sit beside you, eh?"
The child nodded gravely.
The elderly gentleman seated him
self in the indicated spot only to sud
denly rise again, a puzzled expression
on his good-natured face.
BLESS my SOUL he calculated
With convincing wall the child
grabbed up the doll.
Jaw, mister, YOU squashed her"
"Now, that's too bad" sympathized
the elderly gentleman, thrusung his
hand into a trousers pocket.
The child watched furtively for the
temperance Of the hand An she
cost two dollars" she gesticulated
tragically
"Never You mind" soothed the ell
DERBY gentleman, drawing forth the
contents Of his pockets Ohere was no
bin i'm evidence this time). He count
ed out folr 5o-cent pieces. Here you
are try a brunette one this timer
They're said to er g.
wear better than bonds"
The child pocketed the money, stared
blankly at the whimsical face Of him
whom she afterward termed ode cas-
fest eink I ever ruined up against"
and >piHted down the path.
BLESS my soul !" murnured the el-
derby gentleman. What a funny lit
Tie 6ia What nice little kid"
A few feet down from the path in
an artificial pond a band Of green
necked ducks, gave utterance to Sc
ries Of loud quacks.
Again the elderly gentleman crossed
back TO Main street and turned in mt
the little dejicatessen on the corner.
Got anything nice for hungry
ducks3" he greeted the marcelled
lady across the counter.
you en- get canary seed in the drug
store acrosst," she munbIed gloomily.
His attention centered on a pile OF
currant buns. "Wen, now, | think IN
have a dozen of those"
The lady across the counter count
ed out ten buns dropped them into
a paper bag and watched the elderly
gentleman depart with IT,
"Aint he the easy Old gink?" she
remarked absently to her reflection
opposite.
And the elderly gentleman. hasten
Ing back to the square chuckled in
wardly Canary seed What
nice witty, young lady. Canary seed "
He carried the buns down TO the
water and watched happily while an
occasional duck pecEed mildly at. his
offerings Being somewhat near
sighted he WIS unaware that eight If
the ten tuus eauk untouched and un-
desired into the muddy bottom Of the
pond.