Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-07
THE EVENING STORY
He laughed softly.

he lAuRueQ SO1Liy.
Another thing I've never done-rve
never done any woman dirt. Don't be-
lieve in it. I've got touch Of the New
England conscience, reckon. II you
don't want to talk, don't. I'm headed
West-goin' out to Join a man knew
in Montpelier. He's got prune farm
in Oregon. He raises q prune every
once In a while. he tells me. He's got a
hen that lays an egg now and then. and
he keeps bee that gives honey. I'm
sort of lookin' forward to gettin' out
there II I'm suited I'll buy sometain'."
Gradually the young womar's express
sion softened. "You walking out?" she
inquired politely.
"Shucks. mol I'm travelin' by the
steam cars: all regular, ticket and
everything. Do I look like a bump"
she replied. Excuse me. No, you don't
look like bum or yegg. You look
"Well, spit it out. Don't be afraid.
I'm leaving this here burg on the e:10
and you'll likely never see me agin."
did you make that poetry on pur-
pose?" she asked.
mo, 1t just happened Why"
II was going to say you look like .
poet"
Maybe I am q poet, sort Of Maybe
that's another reason can't admire
this pie. Now. back in Vermont the
| pie"
81 know. came from Vermont, too"
do tell" He put q hand across the
counter. but drew 1t back. "Stinson's
my name--Israel stinson. Care to tell
me yours?"
why should II"
you shouldn't if you don't feel like
| it. Now, this dam pie"
MY names Grace Goble," she inter-
posed hastily
Not the Coolies up Burlin'ton way?"
| yes, one of the poor relations"
Great Caesars ghostl What you
dom In dump like this?"
Then she said: There's no harm in
telling you, I guess. My father died
three years ago-killed by an automo-
i bile. Mother has been dead for 20
years. was left all alone. One
of mothers sisters lives here and I
came out to stay with her. I didn't get
along with her husband. They're poor
as church mice, anyway. After I got
here I couldn't get back and I've been
doing what could get to do" +
'M-m-m-m-didn't your pa leave
you any prop'ty at alp"
The house was mortgaged for about
all 1t was worth and it seems that
father had turned all his other prop
erty over to a friend for investment.
It amounted to about $4,000. I found
the Inan--his name was Levins-but
wasn't able to get anything out Of
him but promises, and finally he disap-
peared entirely"
eyes"
"All outlawed, reckon. But maybe
not: Makes this pie crime fade almost
| entirely" He rubbed his nose re.
f1ectiyely. Then he looked at his
watch. I've got to be hoppin' along.
Train won't wait" He extended q
hand hesitatingly. "You live here
sleeps and all?"
Yes. I've got a room upstairs. my
Good-by-vermont," she faltered,
and turned her face away to hide the
tears.
He looked at her wonderingly, get
ting down from the stool. "Good-by,
sister. Maybe I'll send you q prline or
somethin' when get out yonder."
In the doorway he paused 70 turn
up his coat collar and to glance back
ward. From policeman on the corner
he inquired the name Of the street.
Then he ran toward the railway sta
ton.
The days went by and the months
and the weary and worn and hopeless
young woman at the Gem Cafe still
faced the men who patronized its
/ counter and smiled as best she could.
She had tried for something better
tried with every ounce Of her not over
abundant strength, and. she had failed
every day. Hers was dreary life.
There were times when-but never
mind that-she did not give UP.
And then one day, perhaps six
months later. the postman brought her
a letter. She thought It a mistake,
and said so. but the postman shook his
head and placed finger on the scrawiy
| Superscription SO she opened 1t and
read 1t through, her eyes growing wider
line by line.
Dear sister," it said. maybe you've
forgot the man from Vermont who
tried to eat your pie and couldn't but
he hasn't forgot you. And he's got
some news for you, which Is that he's
bought q farm out here In Oregon and
hasn't paid for it yet. It's nice
little farm, with prune tree on 1t and
hen and q bee and barn and
house. The price Is $4,000. My option
What want you to do Is to come out
here and take 1t OFF my hands, because
I've got one farm already. II you
haven't got the money for railroad fare
telegraph me collect and III send 1t to
you. but reckon you can rake 1t up,
because us Vermonters Is that way.
Bring them notes Of your pas and
come dam quick. Me and a lawyer
is waitin' for you and we'll see you
through, one way or another. The
man that owns the ranch IL named
Levins."
Next morning sign was In the win
dow at the Gem Cafe-"Waitfess
Wanted" the proprietor himself
was serving the early morning trade
and answering a question over and
| over again.
Eyes, she's gone. Crazy. Took the
$40 train last night. Fiat on crooked
| Eyes blazing. She was getting too old
| for the Job, anyhow. Saved me the
| trouble of firing her"
THE END.
tCopyrisht, 1927