The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-09-20
THE
SORROWS
OF JOB

(@ by d. j. Walsh.)

JANICE REID was small and deli
cate looking, but her husband often
said she was the biggest person
= 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 4 Reid failed
and Ned, though only Junior partner,
lost all he had in the world, it was
Janice who comforted, counseled and
upheld him. She suggested that they
start life over on farm and a years
experience proved her advice sound.
They came to love the little old farm.
house, which was their new home, and
did not begrudge the hard toll that
made it 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 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 5000. To the delight of all
the friendly, interested onlookers 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 check in payment.
They had perforce got the cash and
her son was to come for it that after
noon.
"After dinner we'll 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 car, taking 1t
apart and putting it together again.
'Go by all means, but don't stay long,"
she smiled indnigently as to 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 danger" she asked.
Everybody in Bonneville. knows about
the mortgage money"
"Sure it's SAFE" he laug IF You
see anybody lurking an6unO fone md,
quick"
I'm mot Ipa or leds :. sheQ reas-
sured him. III not used to being
bor."
After Ned had gone Janice cleared
the table and sat down to wait for
the dish-water to heat. How quiet the
country was! Around the corner of
the kitchen 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 muffied 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 she 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! If only she dared phone
r 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 I'M
known.
Straining her ears, she heard an
other faint creak. He was listening
at the door above, waiting his time.
Then desperate plan flashed through
Janice's mind. Choking back her
tears, she crossed the big kitchen, and
with trembling fingers rang the clumsy,
life-saving country phone.
Short-short-lOng; short-short-
long. Why. oh why, didn't somebody
answer?
Then came gruff "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 you?"
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 thing! / forgot to re-
mind you TO bring my book back that
Edna borrowed. 1t is called The Sor-
rows of job The Sorrows of job
Ned. Got that title?"