The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1925-10-03
When the Worm
Turns
By M. and r. NJ. TERRELL
ID. 1925, western Newgpaner ~

always DelleFeQ IN giving mankind tha
benefit of the doubt. The night was
bitterly cold, the thinly clad man wait
ing before Olmstead's book Store bis
face as expressionless as though if had
been gnawed out Of rock. needed no
story to portray his condition. Good
old Phineas didn't hesitate a second
He took the stranger by the arm. took
off his heavy mackinaw and forced it
on the coatless derelict and marched
off swiftly for his homelike little bun
galow.
They finally reached the CHEEKY
bachelor home. Phineas, who kent
impossible hours at his book shop. was
accustomed to midnight homecomings
In jiffy he had a fire going on the
Old-fashioned hearth and something
hot for his chance guest to drink.
Mr. Olmstead, your name should be
Mr. Prince" the stranger summed IN
his sentiments as they smoked in front
of the cracking fire before turning in.
tive heard of your pranks. sir. But
you're too keen a gambler; you're TAX
Ing a lOng-shot chance on me. Nv
story? It's as old as the hills and as
much a bore. I'm down and out.
Wen let it so at that. And you took
me in-the right way. would have
frozen to death out there. No. I
didn't see your light in the back. Mr..
Olmstead, are you making a habit of
this good samaritan bunk? Most men
aren't worth it,
You're wrong there, Mr.-er-"
call me the exception that proves
the rule"
Most men are good at heart if you
give EN- a chance, Exception. There's
no risk. my boy III share nv dough
bag with the very first fellow that
comes along who needs it. He may re-
turn the lift some day."
zone question, Mr. Olmstead. and
then you can show me some corner to
hit the hay in" he remarked. Haven't
you ever had that admirable faith of
yours nicked by somebody"
"Only three times in twenty years
experience" Phineas acknowledged
truthfully. "a poor young devil in
here once over night switched watches
on me. Dick Todhunter, who is our
leading banker now, once did me out Of
a hundred, and Clay Hastings, who is
our towns terrible example, has never
paid me $27 l once loaned him to get
his daddy out Of jail" He chuckled
you see, Experience, old cynic, you're
barking up the wrong tree. I'll make
up that davenport if you'll move over
here. No, I'll trust any man once"
well. you'd better hide that wallet
sticking out Of your coat pocket Mr.
Olmstead. It's making faces at me-
There might be money in it,"
IT take the chance on you, Elk
ception"
Suppose a burglar took it before
morning. Where would your faith be
in me?"
Phineas awOke the next morning, the
same old determined believer in his
fellow men. "A few minutes later. for
the first time in his life, the worm
turned Phineas found that Mr. Excep-
ton had proven the rule-he had de-
camped with him went Phineas
watch and his wallet from the coat
pocket. The strangers bed had been
made neatly back into a davenport
There were signs of a hasty breakfast
In the kitchen; Phineas could remem-
Der no noise. that was all.
Olmstead dressed quickly and sought
his old friend, Detective Jack SaywoOd
l.
into that wise birds best ear Say
wood was a decent sort; he didn't say
81 told you So" and he didn't laugh.
Together they searched most Of the
fale gathering places below the dead
line" Exception was a long shot; he
never showed at all!
Saywood walked over to the book
shop with Phineas. AS they entered
Phineas' cubbyhole Of an Office, Mr.
Exception, who was the only occupant
and who strangely was reading, jumped
to his feet and started speaking at
once.
"Mr. Olmstead." he exclaimed, I've
been looking for you everywhere
Here's S127. TOdhunter wasn't so bad
/ only had to scare the devil out of
him. That blackjacker Hastings
had to lick it out of him Don't look
at my right eye. It's a knockout, sir"
"Todhunter? Hastings?" sputtered
Phineas The detective contented him
self with near smile, which would
let him out all right, either way the
story went
''Why, Mr. Olmstead," the young
fellow cried. "a man with d faith like
yours has got to have a clean slate
no exceptions. 1t was up to me. Then,
you're the only good Samaritan who
runs 100 per cent TO the good
Phineas heard himself saying. "Ah,
Exception. you forgot my watch"
mo, l had that last night, but l
held it over I'm the chap who ex-
changed with you. years ago. Here it
is. I've never hooked it, because
funny thing, that faith of yours stuck
in my craw"
SaywOod took a hand. See here,
where's that wallet?" he began bellig-
erently.
The Exception who had proven the
rule looked up in unfeigned surprise.
Good Lord, Mr.. Olmstead, you don't
think surely you remember getting
up in the night and chucking it in your