The Tomahawk., 1925-05-28

M KIM 10 MIN wnen Sne named
i Y him smith," but as usual she
had compensated for II In
many ways. The account was prob
ably more than balanced by one ability
which he possessed in a remarkable
degree-the ability to return whatever
he received-favors, knocks, tips, no.
matter-whats - and return with due
and proper accumulation. .-.
Hand him your half-used match for
his cigar and he would hand you q
much better cigar than the one you
were smoking. Hand him hot shot
Of sarcasm and his instantaneous reply
would ignite your thought magazine.
He never held grudge-he did not
need to. He always forgave but he
did not always receive forgiveness.
So 1t was that in the town of Edge
more he was known by everyone, yet
I doubt II dozen could have told you
what his initials "B. R." really stood
for. The nickname Boomerang" had
SO overshadowed any baptismal title,
and seemed to fit the initials so nicely,
that boomerang Smith" he was to all
and sundry.
People were continually saying what
wonders he surely could accomplish in
big city, and Boomerang himself had
often thought of experimenting, yet he
was essentially a home-body, and
Edgemore was his home and here he
stayed.
So he reread the letter and frowned
again. 10 Bill in Kansas City and
broke, and needing three hundred
like the very mischief! Hum! Well,
Boomerang knew he didn't have three
hundred to spare just at that time, but
10 Bill-well, Joseph william Snow
had done him favor-he had forgot
ten just what, but that did not make
any dlfference-he had done him q ia
vor, and it was now Boomerang's
move. One more frown "a frown on
Boomerang's brow indicated deep
thought) and then a smile! He had a
scheme that might be worth trying
somewhat risky and might cause an
including 10 Bill, but
And then Boomerang remembered.
That little favor 10 Bill had done him
had been a favor all right In its uti-
mate result, but 1t had nearly put him
in jail meanwhile. He would return
In like measure. Like for like, plus r.
was his motto, and he grinned as he
reached for telegraph blank.
Thus 1t was that the telegraph oper-
ator In the city, sleepily TRANSFERRING
uninteresting message after uninter-
esting message-that Is, uninteresting
to him-suddenly started wide-awake
and reread the words he had just
written: ~.
Mr.. ]. w. Snow,
2235 Walnut Street,
Kansas City. lie r..
Hide out Five hundred dollars
reward for you in Joplin.
Boom.
The messenger boy who called at
Shows address an hour later did not
carry q copy Of this telegram, but
simply notice stating that there was
a message for him at the main office
and requesting him to call for same.
10 Bill did not know why this should
be and neither did the boy. As a re-
suit, 10 Bill In due season arrived at
the window Of the main Office and
asked for his telegram. Another gentle
man before the window glanced up at
him as he announced his name. The
window clerk, also, seemed greatly
impressed and scanned him carefully
before reaching into the rack for the
message. -s55.@ 81.
"Is your name J. w. Snow?" he in
quired, still studying him closely as
though seeking verification of the
name>in his face or garb. r.
at u.s." said 10 Bill, thinking that
such formality must mean that Boom
had telegraphed him some money, and
his face lit up accordingly.
do you live at 2235 Walnut streetT
continued the clerk. e,
II am staying there at present"
. Thereupon the clerk handed him the
telegram which he began opening
but before he had read 1t the
man who had been standing quietly by
stepped up to him saying:
"Come with me. Mr.. Snow. You are