The herald., 1922-07-06
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MARTINS STRATEGY
BY WINIFRED DUNBAR

BILE" spoke Robert Grant, leading
man of Grafton.
Sorry, judge. Can l help you out
of 1t in any way?' questioned Martin
Blake, one Of the humble ones Of the
village.
I'm afraid not" replied Mr.. Grant
In really worried and mOurnful tone
of voice. 1--WE put my foot in 1t bad
and deep. I'd give lot TO get back
on the solid rock. l declare, it's get
ting on my nerves and l dread seeing
my wife,"
To have the judge almost make a
confidant of him stunned Martin and
raised his hopes vastly.
Those hopes of the ardent young
man centered about the bonniest girl
In Grafton-Jessie. the judges only
daughter Martin loved her from the
depths Of his heart and Jessie as fer
vently returned the sentiment.
The sudden acquisition Of quite a
fortune from a relative had given the
judge some new grand ideas Martin
was poor, Jessie was an heiress. The
match was unequal. He cast about
removing to a more ariStOcratic town.
He cut quite n swath, he fancied, go
ing with his family to a fashionable
watering place.
He had just returned looking both
cred and dismal.
"YOu see, It's all along OF my want
ing to get to bigger town, Martin,
somewhat sheepishly explained the
Judge. when we started on our out
ing | gave orders to put up the old
home here for sale"
"Yes l heard OF that" nodded Mar
tin.
81 also gave my lawyer a power OF
attorney TO act for me. Well, he mas
sold it,"
"And I've got to talk out my misery
to somebody. My wife made terrible
scene. came on here because this
Mr.. Morgan was here today. L offered
him back his money. doubled 1t. NO
use. He said II was the ideal place
he had been looking after for years
and his wife and children were equally
pleased with II. They're coming here
tomorrow to look 1t over to plan some
improvements.
Judge" said Martin, II see way
out Of this"
"You do" cried the Judge eagerly.
MARTIN" he added, there Is not
much I wouldn't do for you II you
help me out of this awful dilemma,
and he grasped the hand Of the young
man fervently.
"Judge. leave It all to me-" said
Martin grandly.
That afternoon Martin visited first
an old colored man of numerous fami-
ly at the edge Of town.
When. the next morning, the new
prospective residents arrived. they
found Martin bustllng about assuming
the role of a person who had been
deputized to overhaul the place.
81 declarei what Is that horrible
odor?" exclaimed Mrs. Morgan, as she
entered the house.
Martin pointed to the plumber ham
ufering at some pipes, mumbled some
thing about hunting for sewer gas
and hustled outside after whispering
to the plumber ito use some more OF
that chemical"
A series of frightfu1 screams soon
issued from the cellar. Up the stairs
came flying one of the misses OF tho
family.
She was fairly hysterical. she near
" tainted away. Two snakes. a toad
and some frogs had crossed her path
In the cellar!
Next door to the Grant place was
a small house that had been vacant
for years. 1t was temporarily occu-
pied that day, however. In fact, the
artful Martin had especially hired
Mr. Ephraim Brown, Whitewater.
and his numerous family to take pos
session Of the domicile.
Mrs. Morgan, inspecting the garden.
came to a halt as an open space In
the shrubbery showed the dividing
fence. Beyond It great washing
Haunted from the clothesline. TAT
NANNY was bustling about, with one
half dozen piccaninnies at her heels
Old Eph was splitting wood. On tho
fence sat four ebony cherubs eating
bread and butter.
For mercy's sake" cried Mrs. Nor
ran-"who are theyT
"Your neighbors." responded Martin
glibly-"very well behaved people.
too"
"But-black! almost shrieked the
sensitive lady and collapsed to gar
den seat.
That settled II. Within the hour
Mr.. Morgan was down to the office OF
the lawyer. Willingly he Cancelled the
contract Of purchase and received
back his forfeit money.
A telegram brought Mr.. Grant to the
village, 1ubilant and excited.
you made 1t. didn't you!" he cried.
Shaping Martin on the shoulder In Q
truly fatherly way.
"Yes, sir" replied Martin modestly.
"Now then, what can do for you
in appreciation Of your good endeav.
orsT
Cant you guessT queried Martin.
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