New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1925-10-23


/ the ceiling. From the center OF the
disk hung a cord, and from the
end OF the cord dangled leather
bag, snugly inflated with air.
Her hands were doubled into
fists and the fists we're smashing
rhythmically --, right. left, right.
left -- against the swaying bag.
Every time a fist drove the bag
against the wooden disk. the bag
rebounded only TO meet another
fist lying crafty in wait. Constance
was breathing sharply: her eyes
we're glistening with excitement.
For an instant the efficiency
mans gaze roved. Alice, CARRIED
much as her sister, with the cx-
ception that she wore loose knick-
erbockers instead of a skirt was
just clearing bar that was bal
anced some four feet from the
floor. Billy was pulling viciously at
set Of pulley weights attached 10
the farther wall. Scattered about
/ the gymnasium were several pieces
I Of idle apparatus
There was a sharp snap and the
, beating of the bag against its
wooden barrier ceased abruptly ~.
Hedge turned his head. Just In time
TO see a globular Object approach
ing him ut appalling speed Ther"
vas no time TO dodge. Tho missile
struck him fairly III the middle OF
. his forehead, bounded back with
equal suddennces. and rolled along
the floor to far corner.
broken cord was dangling over
Constance Brook"'s head az she
stood rigid for an instant, breath
ing heavily and staring with wa"
eyes at the efficiency man. He Vas
rubbing his forehead ia a beWiId-
cred way and returning he's stare
There was q shrek Of laught"'
from Alice; an "I'n be" from
Billy.
The -puncher bit her lip.
frowncd, but said never word
Pulling oft her gloves, she. tossed
them aside. marched rapidly 10 the
door. brushed past Hedge and dis
appeared Horace noted a CLINT OF
triumph in her eyes.
The efficiency man stroiled
across the gymnasium and re-
trieved the bag from the CORN.
where it lay. He examined it curl
ously. noting the broken bit oil
i, cord that was attached TO 1t and
podding his head in evident APP
proval. AS he turned the leather
sphere in his hands he observed
} ! that 1t had been marked upon, ap-
parently with chalk. The inscription
was half obliterated ny busy fists
yet still legible. 1t said:
II. HEDGE. ~ Z.
ut seems that each one has hel
own way of producing an impress
sion" unused the efficiency man
"l'll admit I'm impressed"
They made Alice do it, after din
ncr. A turtivc inspection of the
efficiency man revealed no scars as
a result Of his encounter with the
punching bag; he displayed no dis
ccrnible sign Of grudge. The time
seemed as proptious as any. while
the need was dire and urgent,
Alice played thai she was read
ing, and presently looked up from
her magazine and nlurmurcd soft
iy:
-, "There's an article about poverty
here, Mr.. Hedge. 1t must be aN'
. full
Sinful" he affirmed.
Were you ever poor"
q? Indeed. yes" He looked a
her sharply.
"Prt you're not poor now
:, "Not-eXactly."
81 ans" said Alice. plaintvely.
Fl. Hedge made an exclamation
with his eyes.
81 don't own solitary buck,
added Alice. Neither does Billy
And Connie has only lwo-seventy
!, nine"
/, She paused impressivcly theI
!, continued;
II "But--this Is pay day
Il Pay day." echoed II. Hedge
: wrInkling his forehead. Whose %
! "Why ours!' AIice's gcstur
l. included the other Brookes,
II Constance was .studiously OBJ
, serving the fire. while Billy con
> tinucd his artistic ramblc. TIL
II keen cars Of neither, however
q missed a word.
-, "a didn't know you had a pa
u day" remarked Hedge.
Yes, indeed! Once month, 70
know"
That's interesting, I'm sure
Who pays you?"
Father OF course, Who els
would"
What for"
why why, just for being hi
children, OF course."
Alice stared at him uneasil!
then ventured a sidelong glance g
Constance. That young lady's hea
vas turned away.
You mean that you get salarie
for being Mr.. Brooke's children?
Allowance, suppose you'd ca
IT," answered Alice with a hesitan
smile.
oh" said the efficiency man, hi
bewilderment vanishing. ~ o
mean that each of you receives
k stated gratuity from your father.
Billy glared blackly at Hedg'
who failed 10 perceive the expires
# sion. Constance, her head sti
,e averted, was browning.
e He never calls 1t that" faltere
1. Alice. angry, yet mindful of tn
Ie end rather than the means. He
n he Just pays it."
IL And what do you do in retur
e for it?"
I'VE? Why, We just love him!
Z Constance cleared her throat os