Evening star., 1928-03-27
Boosting John.

boosting JOhn,
Della Borden lay curled up in The
porch hammock. She had been sleep
ins, but voices had aroused her She
listened moment 6rowSily. then her
senses became kcenly alert as she real
ise6 that the two women who were
passing the house were discussing her.
Rising cautiously on her elbow she
pccped through the vines One OF the
Women was Mrs Banks. her next-door
neiehbor. the other woman she did not
know
1T is ShameT Mrs Banks was
s. fne in her high pitched voice This
place used to be the best kept one on
this street The BordenS have hVed
here going on nine years, and they We
never done thing TO the house but
patch il. It looks like a crazy QUIT.
What seems 10 be the trouble? the
strange woman asked
why John Borden is failure,
there's no doubt Of that I suppose
when A mans a failure nothing can
make his succeed, but then John hasn't
any hcln in his wife Della Borden IS
slack She didn't use to be. but Sh"
3uSt seems 10 have lost her grip. lltS
hard 10 believe sometimes, bur think q
man usually rejects his Wife
The two women moved out Of hear
ing
Della rose to her feet Her knees
treplhled Mrs Banks had called John
= failure She had blamed her For the
first time she knew what people thought
cs her husband her home. herself. h3o
Mrs Banks spoken the truth2 The old
house was ugly with its patched root
and scaling paint surrounded oy It's
yS-d filled with neglected Shruboery. il
Hr.s s-~ = ~ Ysfl H.
cared for residences set in neatly clip
ped lawns. Every one around them had
progressed while she and John had
seemed 10 retrograde John was Still
barely holding on 10 his job with old
Mr. Grant lust where he had COM
menCed Il years ago. Mr.. Grant IN
turn was Clmging to a Worn-Out buSl-
ness John had lacked initiative 70 look
for something better. At first she had
been hopeful that John would succeed,
lately she mad given up and accepted
things as they were. She had even
fallen into neglecting her home. her
person. she looked down at her stub
bed-out shoes and Soiled dress. Had
John notlccd2 Had he TOO. felt some
thing Of what She had Just heard? Ger
tain things he had said came 10 her
with hard revelation. Did he know that
the cruel hurt If she should lose his
love!
Della went into the house and began
70 busy herself with preparations for
lunch. She worked furiously cleaning
the dining room. She set the table with
clean cloth and her best dishes She
changed her dress and put on her best
pair of pumps. Her thoughts dweit upon
the situation that had presented itself
to her
John came presently. looking more
dull than usual He kissed her per-
functorlly and took his place at the
liable
Beef stew with onions, dear-your
favoTite dish" Della said.
He looked UP with a faint smile.
Lhanks. old giTl-can YOU bear a bit
O bad neWS?"
Tell me-" Della said. with cold fear
gripping her heart
Mr. Grant is giving I'D his sl1op-
this Is the last day for me. Hes going
70 live with his daughter. Cole takes
over the stock, what there is-and there
isn't much" John showed his plate Of
stew aside and buried his head in his
hands
Good" Delia's voice rang with a
triumph she did not feel Now you
are free 70 DO something for yourself.
70 get a Job that you can make a sue
cess Of This is your chance, John. 10
see what you can do"
Where is such a iob7" John asked
with = sneeT
i don't know. But you must find
nne-y0u VAL IL you look
Where8 I loo12" John said Jobs
aren't picked up as easy as all that"
They are, too" Della said, the color
hcighteninE In her cheeks. Il bet /
could find something 10 do II ! were a
man
Suppose you try John suggested.
I viii" Delia's voice was firm. IN
tel you what vel do. John W. will
both leave this house al exactly
O'clock. Hen be really looking for work
J promise you when / come back I'll
not only have job but Ill have some
actual cash 70 show Suppose you do
the same" Relish for stew was over
- far as Della was concerned. She
had made q statement Would she be
able 10 make ROod2 She must. for II
Ehe did not John would IN all proba-
btliiy 90 on being failure.
A. exactly 2 O'Clock Della left the
house John made some excuse about
having ~ shave. He would no doubt
start 3 little later Della with head
held high and cheeks burning. stopped
a. four 0r five places and asked IL they
we're IN need ~ help. She left hcr
name 81 sefersl other places They all
said they might call her later. Just nov
they had nothing for her 10 do. At
4 80. with sinking heart and aching
feet. she was Just on tine point of giving
Up. when MT. Garter. the painter hailed
her ~ she Was nurrying past Judge
Walls. where ne was At work
Hey Mrs. BOToent" Mr. Carter
called ogt. I llst got a telegram from
my daughter Her husband Was hurt
IN an accident. She wants me and my
woman 70 come on the FIRST train We
can. thought I'd tell you, seeing as
how yog and EeVah were always such
great fr4encs
On I'm 80 sorry" Della paused 70
eoEnm}8eFage When are you golng2"
We ought u De On our way this
minute bit can't leave mere I've
ggt enls l0o pretty vel along Sd ey-
nX TEH DTAT%0