The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1922-05-18
ON HIS OWN
BY RUTH SONG

Sile Nouiu never " fcSIHheH ~ NE
impossible WAYS.
Johnnie" she demonstrated for the
third time. II wish you'd sit straight
lin your chair and stop finger-combing
yonr hair You look fright
Vaguely like sieep-walker, John
ME smoothed his sandy locks, up
standing by twisting fingers.
His mother sighed thinking o. his
1.-TWO brothers. She never naggsd
them. Trim and alert they were, both
employed in Boston bank such
comfort. As for Johnnie--h"peltss
What he lid down town where he
worked, she couldn't imagine. Even
II he enplied Wastp-baskets or swept
floors. someone probably had t" re-
mind him. Ms she was endlessly doing
at home.
These thoughts. audlby expressing
themselves. urged Johnnie finally +"
90 out. the parting injunction 10 take
the key ringing In his ears
Mrs. Raymond's taut nerves
waited for the slam OF the door. in
spite Of her caution to close 1t soft
ly, then she settled down to sewing.
a habit that had grown through color
less years Of widowhood.
Later the evening WAS Frightened
by neighbor's visit. These friendly
| chats under the sewing lamp, We're
welcome. They meant an unbnrden-
ing of the days grievances.
"Do you have To nag your boys
endessly, Mrs. HArst?' She was
sallinting toward the light in an effort
to thread fine needle with coarse
thread. MY Elmer and Alfred never
bother, hut Johnnie" she paused
signing. The subject eng,llfed her.
Your youngesti' the neighbor in
CURED bad company, maybe
The mother bristled.
ooh. no, Johnnie's q good boy. It's
his habits. I'm always reminding
hin--his rubbers, his handkerchief. to
wine his feet don't know how he
gets on where he works. don't see
him start for he goes early. It's
marvel he wakes up. He'll never
amount TO shucks."
~ haven't seen him lately" the
npighbor temporized where does he
work.
"At Jones, Allan Il Company. Law
yers.''
What does he do?'
coffee boy. guess. It's all hos fit
for. Untidy. Shiftless. Never talks
Ia a iJp ga oil "
A day or 80 after. this same neigh
Dor had business in the building
where Jones. Allan 4 Company'S
Offices were No harm to peek ut the
youngster for his mothers sake. She
didn't remember him. now that he
had grown up.
Impressed by the enblazOned door
that confronted her from the elevator
she hesitated looking around in hopes
VI seeing touseled-headed Johnnie
with a waste-basket, or hiding in a
corner reading paper novel.
Seeing no one, she timidly touched
the call-bell on the outer door
With startling alaerity the door
4 swung open, causing her to retreat 4
step or two, and tall, straight. keen
eyed young man popped out to de
mand her business with said Jones
Allan & Company
So brisk and not-to-be-trified-with
was he, that Mrs. Harst regretted the
errand which brought her.
She gasped, speechless. under this
disconcerting scrutiny Of this youns
guardian Of the law offices.
I'll beg pardon for disturbing you,
she apologized. at loss how to begin
hut neighbor Of mine has DO!
working here Being in the buildins
thought I'd drop In and say 'Howdy
do to lin. He wouldn't remember me
/ guess, now he's grown big enough tt
work"
AT her uncertain pause, the youn,
man stepped out. closing the door he
| hind him. He swung chair under
the astonished woman before she hat
time to see from whence 1t came. Hay
lng thus deposited her safely ava,
from the business entrance he in
CURED:
"Can l help your we nave grea
i many employed here and not everyone
is always available. II the boy ism
too busy or isn't needed for the mo
ment, Tn sure he'll be glad to SCI
you. II you'll tell me his name, II
look him up for you."
Having thus made the inquisitiv'
neighbor feel that business hours were
no time for social calls. the formidable
medium between Mrs. Harst and he
desire stood ready to receive informa
ti0n. s.
Crushed and III ut ease. she glanced
4 amidly up into the pleasing, although
unsmiling, eyes.
"rm sorry bothered about It. blu
now Tn here 1t can't be helped. Il
he's busy. never mind. His name i
Johnnie Raymond. II its an!
trouble
i For the first time the serious face O
the young man broke into charming
smile and his hand went uncertainl,
up 10 the sandy hair and came dowI
again without touching 1t. He bowed