Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-07-16
Jerry Cured of the
Wanderlust
By K. RAY BAKER

Fred CalderS grate.tire. u can feel
it Juggling, and the tug is stronger
every succeeding day. Don't you ever
feel it-you who used 10 travel W and
down and across THIS old world with
mef"
Fred shook his head, and smiled as
he lighted his pipe.
"No more" lie sighed but the sigh
was expressive of cCntentment Not
Since Hazel came into my life have |
felt the call. You should be married,
too, and then you could settle down
and defy the fates that seek to send
you 10 far places. ! liked the old life,
the adventures we went through to-
gether. ! remember our tilt with polar
bears and recall our tiger hunt in
the jungles. and our wrestle with hun
ger IN the Rocky mountains. and they
have become bright spots In my mem
DRY, because OF the thrills and com
radeship connected with them. but love
is Il greater adventure than any or all
Of them. I'm satisfied and thought
you were. too now that that very desir-
able young lady has place In your
scheme of existence. I'll be- frank and
say that ii wouldn't be a square deal
TO 20 and leave her now, when she
has come TO care for you Besides, a
rolling stone. you know, doesn't be-
come plastered with grecnbacks."
The Pickering light Of the flame In
the fireplace reached out and brought
Jerry's face into bold relief IL was
young face. with some lines. but other
wise no evidences of cares Ii was a
good face. too, and handsome, with
eyes that burned with life.
I'm sorry he said after a pause.
while he puffed on a calabash but
can't give w. think a LOT Of
Carrie, hut ! can't resist the call Of
the long trails. lin rightly named.
The four winds have woven spell
about me that ! can't shake of. I've
kept this job as an auto salesman for
two years, and that's the record for me.
I've saved up some cash about four
hundred dollars -and I'm going 10
Brazil. may not gather the green
backs but I'll have adventure. which
my system requires. | thought once
Id marry Carrie-if she'd have me
but lis no use. told her last night
when | felt her that was going away
for week. and fooliShly made an
engagement with her for week from
ton. ght Ill have 10 break that en-
ga.cHent, that Is all. have a favor
Ia ask Of You. VIII you 90 10 her the
neN' day, after the engagement, that
! won't keep, and explain TO her what
worthless fellow ann"
There was Il serious look Oh Fr"d's
countcnance aS the light from the fire
turned lis attention to him.
"Ill do it il You insist lie said. "hut
is The wrong way. I'm disappointed
IN you. ! confess. hut Ina your friend,
Il course, jusi ,hc same. and VIII try
10 make satisfactory explanations.
You Had better think ii over, though,
before you take the step"
Il leave tomorrow morning" Jerry
answered. MY mind + made up
And lie did An early train bound
for The south took him out of Waiver
~. Lis eyes shining with the excite
melt uf once more hitting the trail"
and perhaps litile with regret over
some one hr lett behind.
NO girl j. going Ia tc me down"
Jerry Iuutt"rrd n he watched the
outskirts Of the city flash past I'm
leaving just in time. She was getting
pretty strong hold al me Poor
Fred He's settled for good
derry settled himself IN the smoker
ami tried Ia pass the time with maya
zines, hut somehow he couldn't get in
ierc>ird In the printed PAGE rs he
used To when travelling. He was UNI
able Ia account for this disturbed con
diiion Of the mind. but finally de-
ci,!cd il WAS the two years spent with
his nose to the grndstunc. a. lac
phrased H. He would overcome il in
short time. lie was confident
In the afternoon the ear became
crowded and Jerry shared his seat
with young travelling man. They
discussed business and reconstruction
and holsheviki and other matters. and
before long the talk turned 10 personal
matters. The travelling man seemed
inclined Ia Ice sentimental. and finally
admitted lie was In q joyful mood be-
cause he was returning 10 his home
in the West and never was going TO
leave il again.
"At last my firm has given me
city territory" he said. and now
can stay with my wife and kids. What
do You think of thiS?"
That's the wife aud Kids" he said
proudly. What's the verdct:"
Fine" said Jerry. with real adj
mlration. The travelling man lapScd
into silence and appeared lost in re
Election So was Jerry.
In the diner hat evening Kerry sat
across the aisle from e young couple
who continually smiled at each other
and pattcd each others hands in what
,,... Intended ~ Ia. a sstr..ttffs inns t,sit-