Rockingham post-dispatch., 1922-04-20
A Little
Ranble
By AUSTIN FLEET

"Mr. Bramwell, meet my friend, Mr..
Johnson" said Mr.. Haynes. MIR. john
sons an Englishman."
I'm always pleased to meet repre-
sentatives of your ilfustrious country"
said Mr.. Bramwell, sitting down in
the hotel lobby ana scraping his jaw.
"On businesS?"
"No, just a little pleasure tour"
said little Mr.. Johnson wearily.
The others exchanged glances and
studied Mr.. Johnson attentively. He
had the appearance of retired trades
man; he was mild, meek and inoffen-
sive-also small.
"You see," said Mr.. Johnson, Il
made my pile. in the drapery line, and
l thought I'd give myself the pleasure
of long trip to America. I'd always
wanted to see your great country"
"Oh, we can show you the town."
said Mr.. Bramwell. 81 wonder, Haynes,
whether"
mo, no." said Haynes "Mr. John
son wouldn't want to consider"
ITS great opportunity" said Mr..
Bramwell. I'm going to let him in.
Mr.. Johnson, Haynes and l are look
ing for a partner in a sure thing. The
trouble is, we don't quite know you-
you see, dishonesty is so rampant over
here"
''No more than in my country" said
1Ir Inln hrtgl tnll
crook by his face. What's this busi-
neSS?"
Extracting gold from the city wa
ter" said Mr.. Bramwell. We've dis
covered that there's IN ounce of gold
in every hundred tons of water. All
you have to do is to turn the faucet
onto mercurized plate and let it run.
We've got the chemists assay. The
trouble is, we want another $1,000 for
our plant"
"Tve got 5000" said Mr.. Johnson
wearily, putting his hand into his
pocket. Never trust bank. They
burst, you know
Haynes and Bramwel breathed hard.
IF this isn't the doggonest-' began
MIR. Haynes. 'Why, Bramwell and |
have each brought 5000 here tonight
to meet the assayer later. But I guess
you wouldn't want to come in, Mr..
Johnson"
TRY me-" said Mr.. Johnson briefly.
"YOu wouldn't trust us. How can
we inspire confidence in each other"
asked Mr.. Haynes.
"See here" said Bramwell, suppose
each of us stays here in turn and
hands his $1,000 to the two others.
They walk round the block with 1t
and then return, to prove their hon
esty. l guess that's too hard to test
you, though, JOhnson?'
"Well, 1 would like one of you gen.
tlemen to stay here first" Johnson ad-
mitted.
1t was quickly arranged that Haynes
should wait in the hotel. lobby, while
HramWell and Johnson walked round
the block with his money. Haynes
produced his roll.
Let Mr.. Johnson carry it," lie sug-
gestcd.
I'm agreeable answered Bram-
well.
Lstnes delivered his $1,000 into the
hands of the EnGliShman.
I've absolute confidence in both of
you" he said.
Bramwell and Mr.. Johnson had a
nice little stroll round the block.
Really, you Americans are very
trustful people, said Mr.. johnson.
And why?" asked Bramwell. BE
incentive, crime that exist in your great,
but ettete country-you'll pardon me?"
"Of course, because it's true" said
Mr.. Johnson.
When they came back it was ar
ranged that Mr.. Johnson and Mr..
Haynes should stroll round the block
with Mr.. Bramwelrs money.
LET Mr.. Johnson carry it," Mr..
Bramwell suggested.
I'm agreeable" answered Haynes.
Mr.. Haynes and Mr.. Johnson had a
nice little stroll.
II think you Americans are won
derful" said Mr.. Johnson.
you wait till we get our gold ex-
traction plant in order" answered his
companion.
You're sure you trust us?" asked
Mr.. Haynes, as Johnson handed him
his roll.
absolutely" answered Mr.. Johnson.
Mr.. Haynes and Mr.. Bramwell did
not stroll round the block. They took
taxi to the Pennsylvania terminal.
1.-TWO to Scranton" said Mr.. Bram-
well. And suddenly he turned pale
and caught his friend by the arm.
"Stung" he beloved, lingering the
roll of bills that Mr.. Johnson had
given him.
"WhatT" yelled the other.
"Snides, every one of them! That
shark was wise to us!"
Haynes cursed softly. 'That leaves
us where we were!"
ut don't! He took the good 500
bill off the top of your roll and mine
Two hundred out Here, yOu!" he