The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-09-20
THE
SORROWS
OF JOB
~ON~~N-N ~NNJO'
&c by ID. j. Walsh
r JANICE, REID was small and de

II cate tOOhIHE, Jul hcI uuSDdlQ OIIeD
said she was the biggest person
II of her size in the world. Certainly
she poured out on brown haired
iaughing-eyed Ned all the love of a
generous, devoted heart
She and Ned mad played together as
children and been boy and girl sweet
hearts. When Smith & Reid failed
and Ned though only junior partner
lost all he had in the world. il was
Janice who comforted. counseleh and
upheld him. She suggested that they
start life over on a farm and a years
experience proved her advice sound
They came Lnlove the little old farm
house. which was their new home. and
did not begrudge the hard toll that
made il possible. Besides the ordinary
crops. they were selling cream TO
dairy company, eggs and fresh vege-
tables to the nearest city and already
their business showed a profit
But when the first payment on the
mortgage was due the young farmers
declared a holiday, Early in the morn
ing they drove to Bonneville. ten miles
distant. and at the small country bank
drew OUT 500 of their hard-earned
money. They were not only able To
pay the interest. but to reduce the
mortgage $500. To the delight of all
the friendly, interested onIookers Jan
ice reached up and kissed the proud
husband and business partner.
They laughed much on the way
home, chiefly at ancient Mr. Sampson,
holder of the mortgage, who had re-
fused to accept a check in payment.
They had perforce got the cash and
her son was TO come for it that after
noon.
after dinner well sit on the porch
in our best clothes and wait for Jake
Sampson" they decided.
But-as they were finishing the meal
John Webb, their nearest neighbor,
telephoned. "He wants me TO come
over and help him fix Lizzie" Ned ex-
planned. grinning. Janice knew that
Ned and John enjoyed nothing more
than tinkering with a car, taking ii
apart and putting ii together again.
go by all means. but don't stay long,"
she smiled indulgently as to a child.
"Sit on this" and he passed over
the plump billfold.
A sudden twinge of apprehension
shot through Janice. do you sup
pose there's any dangerT' she asked
Everybody in Bonneville knows about
the mortgage money.
"Sure it's safe" he laughed. IF you
see anybody lurking around phone me,
quick"
I'm not really worried" she reas-
sured him. I'm just not used to being
half mile from the nearest neigh
bor."
After Ned had gone Janice cleared
the table and sat down to wait for
the dish-water TO heat. How quiet the
country wasI Around the corner of
the kitchen a hen was clucking gently
to her brood. There was not another
sound. All nature seemed sleeping in
the heat Of midday.
Then Janice started. A board had
creaked directly above her head. The
girl was on her feet instantly, listen
ing intently. Another faint sound, like
a muffled football, was audible. Janice
stood, her hands clasped tightly, her
breath coming in little gasps. Some
body was upstairs in their room, some
body who had got in and concealed
himself before che and Ned returned
home. And she was alone with the
money.
She seized the bill-fold, put it down
the neck of her dress. That money
was precious! II only she dared phone
Ned. But the man could hear if she
phoned, could see if she attempted to
run: and if she locked him in the bed
room could easily get out over the
porch roof She was trapped in her
own kitchen and her safety lay in
making him believe his presence IN
known.
Straining her ears, she heard an
other faint creak. He was listening
at the door above, waiting his time
Then a desperate plan flashed through
Janice's mind. Choking back her
tears. she crossed the big Kitchen. and
with trembling fingers rang the clumsy.
life-saying country phone.
Short-short-long; short-short-
long. Why, oh why, didn't somebody
answer?
Then came a gruf Hello"
'-Oh, john" she forced herself to
speak lightly, and laughed Il forgot
to tell Ned something important Get
him to the phone. won't your"
An instant's wait. while she again
laughed as though much amused
about something.
"Well?" Ned's voice was anxious
''Ned.'' she said loudly and brightly.
The funniest thingl | forgot to re-
mind you 70 bring my book back that
Edna borrowed 1t is called The Sor
rows of job The Sorrows of job
Ned. Got that title?"
..Great heavensi What do you