The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-04-28
A Hero's Reward
By JACK BLANK.

middle size, dark complexion and with beaming eyes
He worked steadily, went out with girls and as a re-
suit got himself a beautiful girl.
When the U. s. entered the world my friend was
in the first draft call and he had to go to fight
for Lady Democracy. His girl encouraged him and
sang to him the famous patriotic song, 81 Love You
You Know, But Want You To Co"
Patted BY Boss.
The boss patted him the shoulder and promised
that the job would be waiting for him. He went lover
there" and fought like real American took part in
many battles and his heroism admired by the mill
tary staff.
When the war was over he returned full of hope and
promise The first thing he did as a practical man
(realzing that business before peasure) was
to the boss in the hope of getting his job back
The boss on seeing him rather surprised, but he
shook hands with him and asked him whether he par
ticipated in many battles and how many times he
on no-man's-land.
Tells of Experiences.
My friend told him all that he experienced with great
enthusiasm. At the end of his enthusiastic outburst
he remained silent Silence prevailed in the office for
few minutes. Then the boss from his chair APP
preached my friend and said: Burton, very sorry,
your job is taken l very busy during your alb
sence, you know, the orders in rush and
had to take new help" The boss, however, promised
him that he would see to it to get him another job.
Gets Cigar.
He gave him cigar and shook hands again and told
him that he had very important appointment that
afternoon at the Hotel Commodore with Western
buyer.
When my friend came downstairs he was in a state
of exultation bearing a cigar in his mouth, and the
idea that he had just spoken to the boss about the
thrills which he experienced in France made him forget
what the boss told him about his job and thus he pro-
ceeded straightway to his "girl."
Was Married
Coming to the apartment where the lady lived, he
met by total strangers. When he inquired about
his fancee he told that she married rich man,
a foreman of some establishment This gave him a
rude shock he expected marry her and spend his
life with her. He sobered up recalling the conversa-
ton with the boss, namely the words that he
busy during his absence that he had to take help
His spirit began to dampen but the idea of seeing
his brother and friends cheered him up He went
to the lodging house where roomed his brother The
janitor the first to him. shook hands with
him. and told him that he proud of him, that he
did his duty well. He his brother and for few
days he had pleasant time visiting their friends and
relatives.
Hunts For Job.
His brother being travelling salesman, soon left
town promising him that he would send him fifty dol
lars to enable him to buy new clothes and give him
leisure to look for decent job Meanwhile he did go
about hunting the job but it remained elusive. He
blamed it his apprenticeship for factory work
must one be dressed neatly? He questioned himself.
He consoled himself that he would soon get the fifty
dollars and everything would be K.
He visited the post office twice day but the letter
not Forthcoming. Days and weeks passed but the
couldn't "land" job. The few dollars which he had
were gone.
Is Penniless
Finding himself penness he tried to live on cigarets
which he borrowed from his friends and he slept at
the railroad station but his stomach persisted to send
him increasingly unjust messages from time to time
The lack of food finally drove him to panhandle The
first quarter he received made him shudder he felt
ashamed of himself his heart almost broke. He ran
like mailman to side street crying to himself Gam
bum, John Burton beggar, a bum"
No Check.
One morning he was visiting the post office as usual
asking for letter for John Burton. This time the
post office clerk asked him for his name looked over
the pile Of letters, unearthed long letter and asked
for Identification papers. My friend produced his army
discharge papers, signed his and received the
letter IN which he expected to find the fifty dollars
To his establishment it was a letter from the u S.
government, asking him to appear at military head
quarters where he would be presented with medal
for his heroism He almost tainted from disappoint-
ment and exhaustion.
His Herosm.
One morning he lying on the bench at the
railroad station his eyes caught his John Burton
in newspaper column which was lying on the floor
1t was lengthy writeup in three columns about his
herosm in the different battles in which he took parts
and how he had saved officer by carrying him three
miles on his shoulders to the hospital.
The ceremony was to take place at the Plaza field
a military band would be hand and distinguished
guests were invited to attend the ceremony of reward
ing the hero When he had finished reading a feeling
of dizziness in him from his empty stomach which
bad not digested food for than three days But
he resolved to go.
Brightens Up.
Coming to the Plaza, he frightened up. Many flags
were displayed hundreds of automobiles surrounded
the field and band of music presented its chorus
He approached the headquarters. The officers on
seeing a shabby unshaven were taken aback They
asked him for the letter He produced the letter They
told him that had he little earlier they would
have fixed him up little Bit but the hour was late
and they had to start the ceremonial rites