Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-05-10
Just a Piece of
Thistledown
.xXXxHMxXxxxS.xxxXxxxxxxx
BY JOHN SMITH

9th Il Y'R II Just thlstledownl
They simply float along on any
breeze that offers, and never try to
resist They're no use In this world"
Stephen IIancocks voice was bitter.
His wife said nothing In reply, but
sighed and returned to her book. Aft
er all, Molly was their daughter, and
perhaps her wild ways were somewhat
their fault. 1t seemed shame that
she, who was naturally so pretty,
should spoil her good looks by the
Wild garments she wore. Ringing of
the telephone bell broke into the train
of her thoughts.
who was it2" she inquired of her
husband. as he returned from the In
strument.
ut was my old classmate, Bradley"
he replied. Hes going to Mexico on
business for three months-al sum-
mer-and he wants to send his boy
here to visit us. OF course, I couldn't
say no; but don't want wild young
ster around here. Molly and her
crowd are enough to drive anyone
crazy without another youth to help
keep the ball rolling"
but you asked him to come"
of course. What could I dot
hope he won't be too much of n bore"
But three days later, when young
Harry Bradley arrived at the Han
cock residence, Mr.. Hancock was
forced to make a grudglng retractIon
or some of his hard words. The new.
conner was tall, gOod-lOoklng youth,
with pair OF eyes that had habit
OF looking straight at one In such a,
manner as to create a favorable I'm
preston at once. Molly herself well
coined him enthusiastically.
"Oh, wen have peach of a time
this summerp she cried. "I'll intro
duce you to the crowd-we have the
best times herel You'll like it-and
they'll like you. We need some new
men, anyway" Stephen Hancock
snorted at his daughters words, and
did not notice the strange lack OF
enthusasm-ln his visitor.
Two months of the summer passed.
Molly seemed as usual, and her crowd
carried on their various activities
much as before. Dances, teas, lunch
cons at the Country club, long motor
rides by mOOnllght-the hundred and
one useless amusements of group Of
young folk who are bored with life
and afraid to admit 1t.
But one evening Molly announced
ut dinner that she was going to bed
early. This was 50 unusual as to call
forth Inquiries from her father and
when pressed said that she AMI
Bradley had been for a walk In the
country. Bradley smllingly admitted
his completely; more than that Molly's
father and mother could not discover.
But after Molly had retired, Mr.. Han
cOcl; said to his wife: THAT'S the first
really sensible thing that she's done
In years. l wonder what's got into
herT' Mrs. Hancock said nothing In
reply, but she smiled wisely.
Bradley's visit drew to close. He
was to leave In week, his father hav.
ing returned from Mexico and want
ing his son to Join him In his offices
in New York. On tbe evenIng that
marked the beginning of the last sew
en- days Of his stay Molly was called
to the telephone. She had long con
yersotion md returned with color IN
her checks
"Tbe crowd,s ooiro an, 90 .ood
house and wonfad Won ana mo IN came
along" she said 70 Bradley az fold
them 7 didn't think wa,d 90"
Rradlev smiled "Glod Won dIdp ho
said. "Tbose nortIes hore mo
"Thev bore mo too" renl,nd Mo,lv
"J.et,s go out an Tho ntovzor
Tho mir donortod Mr uonoooL
stood I'm silont omozomont sor a ma.
ment tben no ,urnod to his ,riso
"Greot sco,tr" no oiocuIo,od "n,d
Won hoor tbo,9 o,r 5oiIv-.AI,II', nha
novor nisood ohonno 20 nn ~,
nortv--MoIIv tho ,orst ,hIs,,edo,n 90
Tho buncby turnIn, down an ,nvI,o
lion Wbops bonnonod7U
Mrs Unncock louohod outrtoh,
"Ob. stenhen Won haven't seen
yhats heon Going on rioht under vonr
nosci Thot Young man Won dIdnt
want IN co,no hoe nd Nil, GOO no
49,, o,,,t,. o. So ~, 49, In,
- big ioh-hIs yotbor,s hnsInoos and
Iife meons moro ~ him than nor,Ios
and GIr,ottons And Ioi,n,a 80 ..
too Gem With ,non
Sho Iod hor mvs,iood bushood 30 .
uooL from where ,hov could hoar Tho
notr On ,ho nio.ao
81, i.n,, ,atr ,n ann nm ,ho,, - sho
wblsnarod ahn, tust ~ tJ,s anco ,,ont
bon, a. .on ~ 80 Lnroa, 30 ,,aa.
80 80 ' "PP ~ JN"'