Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-10-12
The Old Home
Week
By CAROLINE H. WILSON

= = = = = = = . = = = = = N 10 ~
20 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
Il tell you, Sarah, think we ought
to go to Nedham next week. see by
the town newspaper that they are go
ing to have an old home week celebra-
ton, and want all the sons and daugh-
tiers OF the old town to come back
home and help make the occasion a
great success"
Il know, John, but won't 1t cost con
siderable more than we can spare?
replied Sarah, anxiously. "If we ate
going to meet the payments on the
new bungalow 1t Is necessary to save
every cent. Aren't you satisfied with
our new home, John2" she asked, look
Ing through the open door into her
pretty living room, with pride In her
eyes.
well, l guess you're right, Sarah.
I'll have to give 1t up" He bid
hasty good-by, stuffed the paper into
his pocket, and dejectedly walked
down the street.
At the office he put the paper in his
desk drawer. But at lunch time he
took 1t out again and read 1t In the
little restaurant around the corner
while he waited for his order.
The good chicken pie the waitress
brought him might just as well have
been corned beef hash, for all John
cared. He swallowed q few hurried
mouthfuls and then went back to the
office to reckon up his bank account.
well, guess that idea Is ex-
ploded," he sighed, tossing his bank
book back into the drawer. He turned
to his daily routine of work.
"Neyland Is a pretty sick man. Car
ried to the hospital this afternoon.
I've asked three men to take his place
and try their hand at selling, although
haven't much faith in their abilities.
None Of them was willing to try 1t.
can't let the spring trade go to my
competitors"
John pricked up his ears as he
heard the two members of the firm
discussing the health of their best
salesman.
Where Is 1t you wish a man to
gof Perhaps I'd do. was rather good
on swapping when l was a boy" John
laughed to cover his embarrassment.
The junior partner stroked his chin.
The senior member looked John over
from head to foot as If he was some
prehistoric dlnosaur.
HNnn tt1iaht ~ ok
the junior member. "rll take care Of
your department. That was my line
once Look the samples over and get
the prices. Then you can check the
trunks and get started tomorrow.
Thinks old man, for helping out"
John put his desk In order and
looked up NeyIand's itinerary. He
told his wife about his transaction that
evening
well, that prevents us from going
on the old home week celebration"
said Sarah. with sigh which John
resentfully interpreted as relief. The
next morning he started for Brunton
to sell his first bill of goods. In the
train he pulled out his time table.
"Huckleberry trainw he muttered
STOPS at every COMPOUNDED way sta
ton from here to Brunton. Well, If
Neyland can stand 1t, l guess cam"
and he sank down In his seat to read
his paper.
"Plympton Scarsdale Greenbriar !"
John read sturdlly on. Suddenly he
was aware of the blare of a brass
band. He looked out of the window
just as the conductor yelled at the
door, "Nedham !"
John jumped up and grabbed his
valise.
"Pm just going to step out on the
platform minute. l might see one
Of the boys"
He did, but the minute became n
half hour, and the train pulled out,
unnoticed. He had a guilty feeling
that he had betrayed his firms trust,
and his wife's confidence.
swell, perhaps I can sell bill of
goods In Nedham," he thought, trying
to justify his conduct. 1T can't be
helped now"
The streets were thronged with men,
women and children, blowing horns,
throwing streamers and confetti, and
generally making merry. Popcorn and
peanut stands were doing nourlshing
business. Fakirs, selling everything
from toy balloons to fortunes, yelled
their wares.
"Bedlam let loose" John laughed,
rs he neared his old home. II want
to see the garden and the orchard,
and maybe the owner will let me
ramble through the barn"
He was full of pleasant memories
until he reached the gate. On the three
sites stood three cottages. He realized
with pang that time had left Its
mark He turned with sigh.
"Well, after all, II isn't the house
one wants to see so much as old
friends"
Amidst the din and confusion
hand touched him on the back.
Don't you know me, John Morris?
Pm Frank Trooman; graduated from
Nedham high In 1910"
"Why, sure. Glad to see you,
Frank" But John didn't look 1t as he
shook hands with an individual in
whose features It was hard to trace
any likeness to his old classmate.
Just then stout, carelessIy dressed
woman passed with a string Of dirty
children at her heels.
Susie Clark" Trooman explained.
"YOu remember SusIer
"Well, | should say did," John
replied Hadn't Susie been his first
sweetheart? He felt another sinking
Of the heart. Trooman passed on and
John neared the old school house.