South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-21
TILE MEANING LILLIAN READ
INTO DICKY'S TELEGRAM

"MOrnin' Mis- Graham. Lookit!
Here's a telegram for you. Yes.
ma am. Funny thing, I was down
10 the Harbor this mornin' early be
cause of Lady. she's sick. and I went
to see old Doc Denton, yes. ma'am.
And jest as I was comm out OF his
office. the telegraph fellow over a.
the station was jest coming out, and
he Civ me this message. Yes.
ma'am. Wasn't that funny that
Jest happ ened TO be comm out?'
Jerry TIGER. stumbling. awkward
but with such honest good nature
shining in his rudy boyish face that
one simply had TO smile kindly at
him. or 70 mark ones self hope
less misanthrope, delivered his
monologue much as IL he were re
citing a piece" in school, while 7
hastily scanned the contents Of the
yellow envelope which he handed
me.
Yes. Jerry. that was funny"
said mechanically. then rousing
myself TO the inquiry which | knew
the boy expected, I asked solicitOus-
ly; us Lady very sick?"
Yes. ma am. she's pretty sick
When I got up this morning, she
was all doubled up with collie, but /
gave her a quart OF turpentine and
water, and she felt a little better
But old Doc Benton. he's got
splendid medicine for collie. so I
went down to see him and get some.
You ought TO try il some time.
Want me 20 leave sOme?"
The sight of Lillian's face with its
patent struggle to smother its
laughter made Il exceedingly diff
cult for me TO keep my own face
straight fastened TO dismiss
Jerry.
\ Mission for Jerry
THAT won't be necessary. Jerry,
said. If / want any / can always
come 10 you for it,, and now ! wish
you'd go out and count all the
chickens carefully. If they're all
there you needn't come in again.
but If any are missing, tell me at
once"
Yes. ma'am" Jerry hustled off
excitedly You know, Mis- Gra-
ham. chicken thieves might have
been around after all"
His voice held a distinctly hope
fui note and knew that Jerry's love
of something happening - hat
boon so desired BY lonely country
bred youth was involuntaruy
triumphinc over his loyal interest in
our property.
LAS long as that telegram Is not
bad news" Lillian said. as the door
closed after him, "a fact I knew
from your unrufhed face. will you
enlighten me as 20 this mysterious :
Lady who is given a quart OF tur-
pentlne and water. and whose collie
medicine our Jerry 50 soiicitousIy /
offers you9 trust for your sake 10
has nothing like turpentine IN it
Through my laughter at her puz
z.ed expression there ran swift;
little feeling OF citation that my face
had been enough OF a poker" one
TO deceive as astute an observer as
Lillian. For the news IN my wire
while not exactly bad. was still DIS
turblng. and I was glad indeed that
she had considered my face "un-
rufhed."
That's Easy
Lady is a new acquisition or
Jerry's" 7 explained. she Is an
old broken-down horse. one OF a
series which ne has bough, cheaply. .
nursed and sold more cheaply. or .
lost by death. You would know .
this" I added severely. IL you .
spent more time informing yourself /
as 20 the business OF the neighbors 4
and less on the affairs OF the ma
ton"
"Peccav. Peccayi," she cried
But am relieved 20
know you will not be expected 20
take the collie medicine. And
take OF my hat to Jerry's optim-
ism"
1T e unconquereb,e." I returned.
Then I held out my telegram 70 her.
for 7 knew she would never ask It's
contents You know Dicky's pro-
fessional affairs better than do
What do you think this meanss"
She read over aloud the message
! had Just conned:
please send Immediately express
small trunk complete changes
heavies. medium. socks silk. golf
stockings. shoes. knickers. clubs
guns evening clothes. ties. anything
else I need. also portfolio OF sketch
ss from a 10 lizard. Have written.
Dicky."
That's easy" she announced.
He has a commission 10 illustrate