The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1922-01-19
For Sale for
$1,000
By r. RAY BAKER.
20. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

out III NaS blIlef disappointment.
Frankly Casper Hopkins had al
milted repeatedly to himself that
there was no reason why the mOsl
beautiful girl In Waterford should
look on him with favor. There were
handsome slIitors who lowered about
her threshold, and when the COOS
looks had been distributed Casper
must have been absent, for he was
very plain-looling young man.
There We're athletes who aSpired t.
her hand and in physical dimensions
and strength, Casper made pouI
showing. for he was a rather runty.
looking specimen of manhood. There
were rich mems sons who wooed the
fair maiden, and here again Casper
did not shine, for his future was
wrapped up in Il shoe store in which
he expected to buy an interest some
time soon.
But he had hoped against hope,
and now his heart WAS broken. HAY
ing received The fatal answer, he
turned from Christine and slowly.
with eyes doWncast, approached the
door Of her home, which he vowed
he never would darken again once
lie stepped out into the dark world
Casper"
Her voice arrested him as he was
turning the knob.
Christine sat on a davenport In a
detected posture, looking ut him with
lack -luster eyes.
"Will You come here, CasperY she
saih- II will explain some things to
you. l intended keeping it from
you, hut ] feel it is due you. You
have been very nice to me-"
He sat on the davenport beside her
Il will not mince words" she told
him, speaking rapidly. The fact is
Casper. | am about to offer myself
for sale"
"Nou-yoll--" Casper suffered
unable to believe his ears.
II am about to offer myself for
SALE she repeated. Casper, | do
NOT wish 10 appear cOnceiied, but
there are several young men who
:.
accept one--for one thousand dollars
cash. ! need the money. Father, you
know is in the hospital, and the only
thing that will -saveAhis life is an OPP
GRAFTON that will cost the amount /
have mentioned. 1t will not be the
first time such a plan has been used.
l read in the newspapers recently
about New York girl who made Il
similar offer,N with . similar purpose
Ia view. and that gave me the idea
The only assets we have are some
worthless mining stock this home
which father has always lived in, and
and me. / am going to sell myself.
Goodby"
Casper went out, walking in a
trance of misery. 1t was Sunday,
and his services We're not required
at the shoe store where he was en-
pioyed; so he set out for Il long
walk in the woods. He scarcely knew
where he WANDERED. his thoughts
were so busy. His dream was shat
tered, his heart broken, and he cared
little what happened. TO think Of
the girl he worshiped becoming the
bride of man she did not love-
for one thousand dollars.
BY the time Casper had walked
three hours there was a different
light in his eyes, expressive of
combination of determination and
desperation.
With hurried steps he made his
way to the house where he roomed
and boarded. From a drawer of his
dresser he brought bank book.
which he opened. Seated on the ed9.
of the bed. he stared at an array OF
figures. smiling grimly.
"Slle's going TO sell herself for
thousand dolIars,' he unused. every
well, l will buy her myself. / love
her and l have just as much right
to her as any of those rich men,
Tears threatened in CaSper's eyes.
1t had taken him three years to save
that thousand, and a great deal of
pinchipg and scraping. lie had In
mind lthe purchase Of an interest in
the shoe store where he worked. and
he had put off asking Christine to
marry him until he had accumulated
the necessary amount TO go into
business. Now, il he married. Chris
tine according to her own terms. it
would mean starting all over again.
But Casper's mind was made up. He
wanted Christine, even If he had to
buy her.
But Casper felt he would be unequal
to the task of appearing in person To
bid for Christine So the next morn
ing, before he went to work. he penned
a brief note. He carried this to work
with HIM, and when the bank was
opened he drew out his funds and inn
n.ediately transferred them to check
ing account. Then he\wrote q check
for thousand dollars and inclosed il
with the note. He had exactly $50 left
to his credit in the bank.
With~a peculiar feeling. Something
like guilt. Casper dropped the rote in
q mail box and returned to his iabors.
That very night he received an answer
from Christine. and in the envelope