Smyrna times., 1925-01-07
Would Let All
Have a Chance
to Make Good
By MILDRED c. CooDRIDGE

- blow Financially and to his affec-
tiOns as well. He was an odd, silent
old fellow, but when an impulse
swayed him he carried it to the full
limit.
Thus he had done with the son Of
an Old-time friend now dead-Vance
Peters. Mr.. Ross had formerly oper-
ated a little shop in Virden, given to
the manufacture of hardware special
ties. He took fancy to young Peters
and retired from the business in his
favor. He still retained ownership of
the business, but gave Peters full
sway, asking only a monthly statement
of the business.
One night the shop burned down
and Vance Peters disappeared. With
in twentyfOur hours it was known
that he had been embeZZling money.
The day after the fire Mr.. Ross sat
at home glOOmily immersed in thought.
His adopted daughter, Elsa, watched
his mood pityingly.
Father" she spoke finally, "dO not
let this trouble distress you"
IF l had followed your advice l
should have been better off," was the
frank reply. You never liked Vance,
you believed that he was deceiving me,
and you were right. For one thing
am sincerely thankful That is that
did not urge the wish of my heart
that you and Vance should make a
match of it.
81 find that Vance had little or no
system in the business" Mr.. Ross told
Elsa. He had bOOkkeeper, and un-
der manager and a travelling man.
They were all here this morning to
learn what the prospects were of the
plant starting up again"
why, are you thinking of that.
father?" asked Elsa in some surprise
Rogers, the bOOkkeeper, turned out
to be quite an exquisite. He lay
around smoking and reading in a COM
Portable hammock most of the time,
but was always on hand for his meals.
The old assistant manager, Mahon
devoted most of his time to hanging
around the village billiard hall. Both
borrowed money from Mr.. Ross. who
catered to their necessities and studied
them.
Young Bert Delaney was restless
and out of sorts the first day he ar
rived
"See here, Mr.. Ross" he said in his
Independent Off-handed way, you're a
generOus-hearted old man, but I'm no
sponge. l don't see why three husky
fellows like us should be dependent on
you"
Don't you want to resume your old
position when we start up business
again?" inquired Mr.. Ross.
"Surely, but Pm not born to be idle"
"All right; I'll make a new bargain
with all three of you fellows There's
a big garden to take care of, there's
wood to saw and all kinds of odd jobs
about the place. Put in your time
about them and I'll pay fair price for
the service"
Rogers regarded his well-manicured
hands and the rough garden tools
shrugged his shoulders and betOOb
himself to his hammock.
Mahon tried clearing some brush
got few thOrnS in his fingers and
hied him to cue and worries for solace
Bert pitched in forthwith. He
mended the broken fences. He made
the straggly garden look as If an ex
pert had gone over 1t. One morning
Mr.. Ross came out to find him witt
saw and buck tackllng four-cord pile
of stove wood.
The old mans eyes twinkled secret
ly. That evening when work was sus
pended, he stole out to the woodpilC
and put little clinking bag way un
der the last log of the heap.
Bert rather liked the task. The
wood was just behind the kitcher
where the fairy-like form Of pretty
winsOme Elsa constantly fitted Sew
eral times she brought the worker {
glass of cool lemonade and then the!
had an enjoyable chat together.
"See here. Mr.. Ross" said Bert, tive
days later, that wood is all sawed
and I found this little bag under tn,
last log"
"Ohol you dIdP" chuckled the olt
man. whats in 1t, nOw7"
"A dozen gold half eagles"
"That sO?' chirped the old man. &"
reckon the fairies have rewarded yOl
for your industry. See here, Mr.. De
lancy. I put them there and your,
going to keep them"
II don't like overpay-" began Bert
'There's better than that coming,
announced Mr. Ross. 1--WE beel
studying you, and that ladylike book
keeper, and that shiftless assistan
manager. You can have the position
If you want it,
Bert did not reply. His face grew
so serious and thoughtful that Mr.
Ross stared at him in wonder.
"Whyw he exclaimed, you dom
mean to say you turn down that kim