Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-01-14
A Bright
Idea
By ALVAH J. GARTH

q. 1870. Western Nowspapef Union ,


me drive you over to the harvest home
in the rig Uncle Justin has given me2"
observed Mort Bissell, with search
ing glance at the prettlest face that
had ever shone on him-that of Tes-
sic Upham.
sand why notf" clearly and unhesi-
tatingly challenged the fair young girl,
with no trace Of false pride or artful
evasion In her manner.
"Oh, well, 1t is hardly q chariot, and
the old nag is slow and clumsy look
ing. Now, If Uncle Justin's twenty
first birthday gift had been an automo-
bile or patent spring buggyp
I'VE could have passed MS beings
with means, whereas we are both poor
as church mice. Your company is
what / appreciate, Mort, and am not
ashamed to ride In an humble, modest
rig in keeping with our circum-
stances"
"You are girl in thousand,
and you make me very happy, Tesslei"
said Mort with heartiness and emo
ton. "Never mind. The old rig may
be the starting point of fortune, and
the grander things of life may come
along, IL we are patient and persever-
ing. Uncle Justin gave me some good
advice. He suggested that I go to
Springfield next week, and see II can
not make IN arrangement with some
manufacturer to canvass for the sale
of his goods, and deliver with the rig.
There are half dozen fellows know
Of who have worked up fine business"
They were natures own children,
those two, and happiness was bound
to come to such sensible and harmo-
NOUS souls. Tessie was only eight
cen, but she knew more about house
keeping and thrift than the average
woman Of thirty. They had radiant
plans for the future, content when they
welded to occupy two rooms In the
Upham home, until they could earn
and save enough to build little cot
tage ON a village lot Uncle Justin had
promised them.
Mort was gone for half week. He
returned one afternoon about four
O'clock made out Tessle busy bus
Ting in the kitchen, and went to the
rear door.
"Hello, loveyw he hailed, but at a
glance she discerned that he was not
enthused over his success In the city.
She did not question him, however, but
in her bright pretty way told him how
lonesome she had been during his
brief absence and reclted some Of the
events that had transpired in the
meantime.
"Well," he said, after time, 81
haven't made the connection / ex-
pected."
moi" Intercepted Tessle gently.
II suppose It takes time to get things
running right"
1.-THE only two houses that at all en-
couraged me-" went on Mort, "were,
one a concern that publishes music,
They expect me to go from house to
house like a common peddler. The
other company had books to sell on
the installment plan. / tried that
once, and am not fitted for that kind
Of work"
"Why, Mort, you are smart enough
to do anything that anybody else can
do"
"Yes, perhaps" assented Mort a
trifle gloomlly, "but was looking for
strict business proposition that will
bring me in touch with people I'm a
commercial way, like storekeepers and
large buyers. What are you making,
Tessie"
A lot Of bobbing, brlstling bits Of
niry nothingness were visible in a
kettle Of boiling lard. and on the
kitchen table was a great yellow
crock heaped high with those that
had just been removed from the re-
ceptacle.
"Vanlties," replied Tessle Some
friends are coming over this evening
md I had some surplus dough, so
nm making It up into something palat-
nble. Try some"
She handed Mort welI-flled plate.
He soon dispatched what It held, for
the filmy. "vanities" had little Of bulk
or substance. Then she took some
dough, with a def twist Of her pretty
hands made II into n graceful cornu-
copia, let 1t cook for minute or two,
and took 1t to the pantry, filled It With
cream and berries and passed 1t to
Mort with the words:
"There is something more substan-
tial."
To her surprise Mort gave a great
start He held the dellcacy before
him, turning 1t round and round and
inspecting II with critical eyes Of sug-
gestion and enlightenment.
"Why, Tesslep he burst forth abb
ruptly, you've made a regular Ice
cream cone"
"And pray what is n regular Ice
cream cone" inquired Tessie.
"a common article of use and profit
in the city drug stores, and candy and
soda water places. We are Of the
backwoods, surely, not to have had
them introduced here long since.
Where is my llstT and he produced It.
"Yes, there are over hundred places
In the county where they sell ice
cream. Tessle, my love, can you make
up cones like that right alongT
1.-THE simplest and easiest thing in
the world, dear" came the prompt re-
ply.
"Then our fortune is nader de-
clared Mort rapturously.
Which was somewhat extravagant,
but the experiment that followed with
these mutually Industrious partners
ushered In a business that was step
ping stone to larger commercial activ-
tiles by the time Of their wedding.