Palisadian., 1925-10-09
The Vigilant
Sex
By JACK wooDFoRD



he found this out the day he came
home with the news that it was the
last time that he would come nome
from work from that particular JOB.
"You say you've been fired?" re-
peated Elizabeth incredulously. "Well,
that's fine-that's great; I'm glad to
hear it !'
"Why, what the" stammered
Johnny. 81 thought; aren't you go
ing to faint or something. thought
women always went into Mysteries
when the husband lost his job y
"Well, Johnny boy, I'm not going
into Mysteries. In fact, I'm tickled to
death. l was afraid Old Man Stiles
might never fire you. The beautiful
part of It," went on Elizabeth, de-
murely, 'is that there are practically
no. other jobs in your line in town.
You are a bank clerk. There is only
one bank here SO there you are.
At least you'll have to do as l sug-
gested in the first place and go to
the city"
'T've often heard" remarked Johnny
coldly, "that women are visionary,
erratic creatures"
'Listen to me, Johnny. The trou-
BILE with men is that they're not Wis
ionary enough. All you can ever see
are facts-never possibilities. But when
that happens you've got to work with
possibilities. Get me now? I'll go
to work in the city-Fll live in one
room with YOU'LL go without clothes
for you, and eat beans every day for
six months for you-but, Johnny, boy,
if you qait cold and refuse to even
take while on big time I'll leave you
pronto-so help me-"
"On your little blond head be it,
he finally said, grouchily; ''I'li go, but
I'll bet we'll be walking back in six
months. Visionary idea any way you
take it." They went.
visionary, imaginative irrational"
went on Johnny, as he sat facing his
bright-eyed wife across the cheap
table in cheaper pair of rooms for
light housekeeping in the city month
later. always imagining the impos-
sible; always thinking in terms of SEN
timentality and romanticism; heavens
of all the silly ideas!" Elizabeth's
lips set in firm, straight red line.
Listen, Johnny Hines; you've hunt
ed for job for month, and you
haven't found one by your methods
Our money Is pretty near gone. I'm
going to look for work myself tomor-
row, but I'm not discouraged. I'll
stick to 1t with you, if you'll just
do this one thing for me-"
"But, my dear girl, the ad reads:
'Wanted-An assistant cashier You
probably think. like most women, that
assistant cashiers in banks are fell
lows who count money in cages
they're not; they're officers! The po-
sition of assistant cashier is one of
the best jobs in any bank -.
"And you, Mr.. Inferior Complex, re-
fuse to even try for the position You
ought to be shot-in fact I think III
shoot you; think of the wonderful pub
licity it would give newly, could
get hundred weeks on big times or
maybe a movie contract !"
Thanks for the frolic while I'm
glum," Johnny growled. The girl
changed her tone.
Johnny, please, for me, just try to
get that job, anyway"
"But there's the matter of refer
ences."
'Oh, something will turn up to take
care of that" said Elizabeth airily.
Visionary" snapped Johnny, you
don't understand - anything!" She
rose and faced him, eyes flashing.
Listen, sweet buddy, either you
make try for that job tomorrow, or
we part company right here, under
stand?"
She was bluffing, but Johnny fell
for it,
Next day he was home at eleven
o'clock. He tripped and fell twice
coming up one flight of stairs
II got the job" he managed to get
out when he entered and faced a
Psyche in a Mother Hubbard.
What did l tell you?' she sneezed
through the cloud of dust she was rails
ing.
1t was not until nearly two years
later that Johnny came across the
letter in the banks files. which Old
Man Stiles had sent them when they
wrote for references to his place of
former employment. He took it home
with him that night, out to the little
bungalow which the visionary" had
insisted upon purchasing on the time
payment plan.
"Mr. Milton Crosby, vice president.
Manufacturers National" it read,
"Mr. John Hines was in my employ
for nearly five years. During that
time he handled and learned practi-
cally every transaction in the banking
business. as one will in a very small
bank. in very small town. l dis
charged him at the earnest solicitation
Of his wife, who begged me to do
so on the grounds that it would be
for his own good. | am inclined
to agree with her. He is too big for
his surroundings, but, like most boys
reared in small towns, is little afraid
to take the initial step to break away.
He would make an excellent assistant
cashier, l am sure, and I take the
greatest pleasure In giving him the
highest possible recommendation in
every respect.