Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-12-28
The "Dunb-Bell"
Making Good
By MARY LOUISE CORNER

70. 1928. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
His real name was Horace B. Dan
gloss, but to his associates in the Cen
fury Book store he was known more
simply as "the dumb-bell." From the
moment when he first appeared, trail
ing in the wake of Harris, the store
manager, his cOgnomen was inevitable.
This" announced Old Harris in his
weighty manner, is 'Mr. Horace Dan
gloss. Mr.. Dangloss will have charge
OF the Egyptian counter"
"Dangloss, my eyes," whispered jim
my Spencer to bevy Of grinning sales
men. THAT bird isn't Dangloss; he's
q dumb-bell p
'1The dumb-bell," little, slim whisp
of a man, with straw-colored hair,
pasty cheeks and pale, apathetic blue
eyes, bowed awkwardly and sided be-
hind the counter assigned to him.
Jimmy, with a fatuous smile on his
sallow face, Joined Emily Cook in her
corner among the magazines and Ror-
eign newspapers.
SAY, Emily, have you met the dumb
bell yetr He jerked derlsive thumb
at the Century's new salesman. "Old
Harris put him on the Egyptian stuff.
Huh I'll bet that bird couldn't sell"
"You never can tell by appearances,
Jimmy" she interrupted, quietly. "He
does look rather drab and old-fash-
Toned, but"
"Old-fashionedi !" echoed Jimmy.
Hes worse than that-he's obsolete
No wonder Old Harris gave him the
mummy counter"
Just then the salesman In charge Of
the mummy counter raised his head
and met Emily's warm, friendly glance.
He smiled gratefully, and the express
sion reminded Emily Of a neglected
dog upon whom some unexpected kind
ness is lavished. Mr.. Horace Dangloss
was lonely, she declded-just lonely
and starved for little human sym
pathy.
Introduce me, Jimmy" she COM
handed
"What!" gasped Jimmy. do you
really mean it?"
81 certainly do" Emily declared
firmly.
A second later she was shaking "the
dumb-bell's" limp hand and looking into
pale, wistful eyes that stared shyly at
her through a pair of horn-rimmed
spectacles.
"I-er-Pm pleased to meet you,"
stammered Horace, flushing and max
ing series Of jerky bows. Ter
nice weather for April-that is, l
mean"
IF there's anything can do to
help you in your work." she inter-
rupted, tactfully you just let me |
know. Don't be afraid to ask"
"Er-thank you-thank you very
much" responded the dumb-bell." |
"It's very kind of you, butt think
er-I feel certain that I'll get along |
splendidly in day or two"
But day or two and week or two |
passed and "the dumb-bell" did not get
along splendidly. Jimmy's estimate of |
his craftsmanship had been correct |
His sales were the lowest of any mans |
In the store. To the Century staff this |
was the obvious result of being a |
dumb-bell. But to Emily it was an !
enigma.
"What do you suppose is the matter
with HoraceT she inquired Of Jimmy
one noon, when "the dumb-belr" wasf|
out to lunch. Everyone is reading
books on Egypt these days, and YET
his sales are constantly falling or
Jimmy, sartorial to the nth degree,
fiicked speck of dust from his trou-
sers before replying.
swell, I'll tell you, Emily" he said.
patronizingly. 1.-THE poor sap is dead
and he doesn't know it. He's as dead
as one Of the mummies in the books
he tries to sell. See what mean? No
pep-no personality And look at his
clothes That black get-up of his
makes him look like an undertaken In
the period of Queen Victoria. I'd like
to see the poor dumb-bell's face when
old Harris gives him the sack"
"Well, you won'tl" Emily told him,
sharply. "Old Harris isn't going to
give him the sack-and Horace is 60
ing to stick |"
Horace stuck surprisingly well dur
ing the next few months, though his
position was always bit precarious.
Then, one Saturday night, Jimmy
stopped at Emily's stand with a tri-
umphant leer on his face.
swell, the dumb-bell's demise is fixed
for next Saturday night" he an
nounced. 81 just overheard Harris CIV
ing few instructions to the book
keeper"
II don't believe it," Emily declared.
But she waited, after closing, for Hor-
ace to come out of the managers of.
flee. His face was chalky, his eyes
more dispirited than ever. He leaned
against a counter and stared DULY nj
the rain, driving against the show win
dows.
Then Jimmy was right exclaimed
the girl, staring at him. "Mr. Harris
gave you noticef The old beastr'
you mustn't blame him." Horace
defended. quickly. "He was right, !
suppose. Pm not book salesman
I'm just "a dumb-bell." He smiled
ruefully.
You're not!" denied Emily, indlg
nantly. Get your hat and coat, Hor
ace. You're going to walk home witt
me. I've got something l want to tel
You" Presently they were walkir
up Grant avenue in the pouring ra
and insufficiently sheltered by Ho,
aces absurd, leaky, green umbrella
In a frank, concise manner Emily tolc