Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-09-14
The
Loser
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BY MORRIS SCHULTZ


WHEs good loser" people said OF
IA Henry Ampthill That, many
surmised, was the best that could be
said of him. Henry was a loser, at
any rate.
For instance, when they picked the
assistant cashier in the bank, Henry's
name came up There was one other
name, Tom Benham. y-~
"Henry's pretty good old plug"
said the manager. sticks to it."
HE hasn't much get up-and-git u
him." said the president, Armstrong.
Hes a sound, steady man." said the
manager.
tom plays a rafting foursome,"
said the president.
So Tom became assistant cashier,
and by the time Henry was assistant
cashier Tom was cashier.
Now, If We can imagine dialogue
going on between May Harrlson's
heart and brain, maybe it could be
summarized in this way:
"Henry's a good old scout" said
Mays heart. Hes lovable sort of
person, and you've known him ever
since that day he soaked Tom in the
eye for pinching you on the way to
school,"
Granted" answered Mays BRAIN
"But Henry won't ever get anywhere"
Toms all right, but how can you
suppose he'll be true to your He
hasn't the very finest reputation, has
hef" said Mays heart.
That's all very WELL" answered the
brain, but honestly, wouldn't you
rather be loved by man like Tom,
who knows what love is, anyhow, even
If he were untrue to you later, than by
a man like Henry, who'll always be the
same?"
In spite of this, May would have mar
ried Henry. But when he got the no
ton in his head that May preferred
Tom he just stopped calling. May got
engaged to Tom out Of pique. Oh,
Henry was good loser
He met May in the street and con-
graduated her, hardly a muscle Qulv-
ering in his strong face. May thanked
him quietly, and hurried away to cry.
Henry certainly was darned good
loser.
SO May and Tom were married
Years passed Tom was now manager,
but Henry was still assistant cashier.
One day rumors began to fly about the
bank. The next 1t was known that
Tom had disappeared with most of the
banks funds and Mrs. Winters, the
wife of prominent citizen.
The bank was reconstructed and
Henry was promoted to cashier II
became known that May was getting n
divorce. Two years more passed.
Henry had never been to Mays home
since her marriage. One day he was
sent up on some, banking business.
They greeted each other like old
friends.
why haven't you called here all
these years?" asked May.
You know why, May" said Henry.
Listen, Henry. | cared for you
much, much more than for that man.
You-yOu stepped aside"
How was l to have known" asked
Henry.
May watched him with whimsical
little smile as he went down the road.
Then she cllnched her fists. She hated
Henry for the first time then. il.-'
They know everything in banks. 1t
was soon known that Winters was pay
ing marked attention to May. He was
IN elderly man. He was rich. They
were seen driving together constantly.
Henry had not been to Mays house
since that last meeting, and she al
ways passed him with a cold nod.
The bank had taken a mortgage on
her house Henry was sent up to
make an appraisal. 1t was painful
visit. 1t seemed such short while
ago that May had been a little thing
in knee-length dresses, and Henry had
escorted her from there to school.
Everything was the same-only May
and he had changed. But had they
changed? Why2
The interview was cold. Henry, in
the hall, said: IL believe I'm going
to be allowed to congratulate you
againT
81 suppose sO-thanks," said May
llstlessly.
II wish we could be better friends"
SAID Henry. "You know, 1--we always
felt friendly toward you, May, and
somehow things have gone wrong"
THAT'S just what I've always re-
scented 80 much" said May, "your be-
ing friendly"
Henry felt crushed. He turned
away, lingering his hat. A little sound
from May made him turn around. She
was sobblng. He took a step toward
her. He clasped her In his arms
"May-dearest May, I'd do anything
in the world to make you happy"
Henry, why-why didn't you tell
me before?" May sobbed.
And at last Henry knew. But they
say 1t takes good loser to make a