The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-06
THE JUNK FIEND.
BY Stella Cole.
Copyright. 1922, by Wheeler
Syndicate. Incl


Syndicate, Inc.)
Mrs. Peter Smith was a junk
fiend. There never had been time
when she wasn't. From her
earliest childhood her one passion
had been to collect worthless ar
ticles-a broken saucer, piece OF
strap. a WORKOUT electric light
bulb, and other such rubbish.
AS a girl she had a corner of the
old barn set apart for the storing of
her miscellaneous collection, and
though cruel were the jeers thrown
at her by her little playmates, yet
great was their delight if on a rainy
afternoon they might be admitted
to the sacred spot; and many happy
hours were spent there pretend
ing" her ugliest and most impos-
sible article being in childish i'm
agination most beautifully trans
formed.
Grown to womanhood, she faith
fully tried to rid herself of the
habit, with somewhat of success,
but still the passion fingered.
If Peter Smith had known Of this
firmly fixed habit of little Ida Bow
er's, perhaps he wouldn't have mar
yried her. But marry her he did, and
in the course of time began to show
signs Of annoyance.
II never dare to go to bed at
night" he said, without first care
fully turning back the covers.
There might be rusty kettle cover,
piece of rope or broken look
ing-glass hidden there. A regular
Junk Fiend, that's what you are,
Ida. For goodness sake, what
makes you do it? Are>you crazy
Perhaps" replied Ida. II can't
say. 1t may be just the hangover
from some primitive instinct of my
caveman ancestors"
"Bosh!" replied Peter. "Just like
a woman, always blaming someone
else for their wrongdoings. And
what's worse, you go and blame il
onto a poor dead man who can't
help himself. But say, if you are
going to show a hangover from
your cavemaA ancestors. just let II
be from some of their good in
stincts-if they had any"
1t was the habit. Of the Smiths to
take q morning walk occasionally
on Sunday, before the travelling
was settled for auto driving, and
on such occasions as this Peters
wary eye was ever watchful, but in
spite of that Ida succeeded in snug
Cling some precious articles home
1t was when returning from one
Of these trips that Peter noticed
something swinging from Ida's hand
A cold chill went up his spine. Nov
what in the world have you. got
there?" he demanded. Some more
junk"
Ida lifted her hand; gazing appar.
emily for the first time on the object
therein. Held by its head between
her two fingers and dangling t.
and frD was q six-inch rusty spike
Peter glared. Nov where did yov
get that thing?'
IN, picked 1t up back there I
ways. Must have dropped from q
load Of timber they were using t.
rebuild that house."
But you aren't going to take i
homer
why. yes, I thought l would. Il
may come in handy sometime" ani
She looked at Peter almost plead
ingly.
Peter looked into the distance
shrugged his shoulders and begal
to whistle, sign Of cheerful resig
nation, or cheerful despair-ol
both.
Time went. A holiday came, and
according to plans previously made
Peter and Ida were to enjoy it
They packed up a lunch, crankef
up the little Ford and flivvered u,
through the mountains-just q pail
OF kids out for q good time-and a,
the perfectly working engine hum
med along it was all they could d,
4 to keep from shouting aloud witt
the sheer joy Of living.
Al fNkeFvnla thn aapf