Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-11-08
When Clarence
Reformed
BY CORONA REMINGTON

A MAN Is an animal, and frequent
" wild animal but there are
some, like Clarence Maxey, for In
stance, who are most exceedingly
tame.
Clarence was good mana fina
fellow, In fact; but he had no mys-
terles, and you could never expect him
to do the unexpected. He was book
keeper and liked it-never had been
anything else.
Perhaps II was fate, or instinct, or
human nature, or the great law OF
compensation. or the cussedness oe
things that he should fall In love with
Dorothy Dwight, the most dashing, vl-
vacious little cashier that ever sat be-
hind register and welded lip
stick.
81 do love you, Clarence" she
once said, "but you're slow You
haven't got any pep, honey. Not a
bit"
That was the first time she had ever
called him "honey," and 1t took the
sting out of her rather painful critl-
cism.
81 know IT," he stammered humbly.
"But you're good and you're decent,
and you love me, and those three
things count more than everything
else put together"
"But | want to be Just the kind
Of man you want me to be-" he an
swered dolefully.
ooh, you've got 1t In you all right.
see 1t In your eyes every once In
a while, but the trouble is you've been
brought up by two old maid aunts who
probably made you go calling with
them on Sunday afternoons when you
ought to have been out snowballlng
some old mans hat off, Now, wnnt
to meet those aunts of yours"
But they don't even know I've got a
GIRL" he stammered.
"Good; that's one more jolt COM
Ing their way. Trouble with you Is
you're scared OF people. You've got
right to girl, haven't your Old
enough to have one, aren't you? How
long since you had raise, Clarencer
"Three yearsl"
"Three yearsl Geel How often do
you ask for one"
81 haven't lately" he admitted. I'm
fact, not since l got the last one."
"Gee Good lands" said Dorothy,
slapping huge powder pun at her
face. snow, I'm going to tell you
something. You're going to ask the
boss for a raise and II you don't get
1t I'm not going to marry you"
"But, Dorothy, we're engngedw
"Never hear OF n girl jlltlng fell
low? It isn't the money I'm after. It's
the backbone. You got ten minutes
of your lunch hour left; the boss
doesn't leave until two you go up and
tackle him right now, and all the time
you're talking to him, remember It's
good-by Dorothy unless you bring him
around"
Five minutes later when Clarence
walked into the presidents office tiny
beads Of persplratlOn were standing
out on his forehead. His hands were
moist and his tongue felt the size
Of feather pillow. He didn't want
raise, anyway.
"WellT The voice was peremp-
tory. Instant flight, death--would moth.
Ing come to the rescuef
"Well, what Is IT."
I'll want raise" Clarence heard
himself saying.
"A raise? Most people do. DO you
think you are worth any more to the
firm this year than you were lastf"
flush of anger spread across CLAIR
ence's face and he was amazed by his
own retort:
"No, / don't, but | was worth more
to the firm last year than ! got, and
know darned well I'm not going to
stay here another twentyfOur hours
unless | get raise"
"By George, Maxey, | didn't believe
you could do 1t. had an idea you
were meek sort Of chap"
"Thank you" said Maxey trucuent-
ly. Leaving personalities out. do I get
the raise?"
"Why, bless my soul, thought l
was judge OF human nature, but I've
found out I'm not. Pardon the per-
sonaltles, guess you will get the
raise"
"All right. Thanks" said Clarence,
loftlly, as he walked out with his head
In the air.
II knew you'd get IT," said DOrO.
thy joyfully as he walked past the
little cage. "Clarence, honestly. you
look two inches taller than ever
saw you before. Somehow you're diff
ferent. thought knew you, but now
I don't believe | do after all. Men
are such mysteries" she sighed hap
PLY.
That night at supper Clarence broke
the news TO his aunts.
"Golng to get married." he said.
"Pass the bread, please"
"oh, Clarence, you? Marryf Aunt
Hannah squeaked family.
ard like 10 know why In thunder
not" he demanded.
'Dear, dear" said Aunt Agatha. ~
can hardly believe It's our little Clar.
ence--be was always such gentle.
sweet boy"
"Oh, HIP said Clarence feryent-
Iy, and vent up to his room.
A few minutes later he heard his
nunts voice In the hall below. She
was evidently talking over the phone.
"Yes, we're awfully proud Of him.
OF course he talks TO US as II we we're
bralnless babies, but most men think
women ARE that, anyway"
"Lord love Dorothy" sighed Clar.
ence giving credit where credit was
due.