The Coolidge examiner., 1931-02-27
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Poured Oil on
Troubled Waters
By RUBY DOUGLAS

becoming reading lamp. Her book
was not absorbing enough to hold
her attention and she could not
help Overhearing parts of the con-
verSatiOn of her father and two
neighbOrs on the porch outside the
window.
81 read the riot act to them last
night again." said her father.
"Well, my letters in which told
them where they got off had no eff
feet" added the next-door neigh
bOr
It'll be winter again before the
roads are fit to drive on, and yet
l don't see anybody putting down
| our taxes"
The three men went on discuss
ing the Oiling of the roads in front
of their homes, and wondered at
the utter lack of attention shown
them by the new city officials.
To Babette, sitting within, their
method of approach was all wrong.
| Why did not some of the men in
the neighbOrhood try a little kind
persuasion on the commissioner of
public works? She had never seen
the official, but she gathered that
he was at least human. and she re-
membered something about it be-
ing better far to rule by love than
fear"
ImpulSive always, Babette jumped
to her feet and pushed open the
easement window.
Father" she said, excuse me
| for listening, but may l suggest
something to you three wise menT'
The neighbOrs laughed. Her IA
ther was a trifle annoyed. He was
in an irritable mood because the
new white paint on the trim of his
house had neen covered with yel-
low dust from the neglected roads.
The officials had failed to apply
the usual oil and there had been a
long. dry spell.
"What is it, daughter?" he asked,
abruptly.
"Why not try another way of get
ting the roads oiled?
"Who is this Commissioner Wat
son? Is he such an ogre?" she
asked.
"Oh-he's a young fellow just
starting out in politics, and it's
gone to his head-if he has any"
Babette laughed. "Some one has
to fill the thankless offices in this
turbulent new city, father. Per
haps he means well. Why not let
me see him?"
"YOu?" exclaimed her father.
what good could that do?"
II could put it to him from the
housekeeper's point of view. Let
me try" she begged.
at wouldn't do any harm," said
the next-door neighbOr. "WatsOn's
a decent enough chap socially. My
wife likes him."
The very next morning found
Babette in the new city hall build
ing standing in the Office of the
commissioner Of public works.
"GoOd-morning, she said cheer
fly.
"Good-morning," replied Commits
siOner Watson, removing his hat a
bit tardily. He had been somewhat
taken off his feet by the appear
ance so early in the morning of so
radiant a vision as Babette in his
dull office.
"I'm Babette Morrison of Edge
water Park. My father has called
on you" she began.
Gff hnVUn
Morrison.
"I've come to see If, perhaps, we
might not have some oil on our
roads. If you were the housekeep-
er and had to dust eternally or
keep all the windows closed you
would try to do something. I'm
sure" She smiled at the young
man who had taken a seat opposite
her at his desk.
"T've been trying to get at that
section, but we have been short of
oil. and-weIl, to tell the truth,
Miss Morrison, so many citizens in
other parts of the city have ap-
preached this office in so different
tone from that used by your
neighbors that"
Babette laughed. THAT, natural
ly, you gave them the first atten-
ton. When-dO you think the oil
will be here?"
"Thursday-at the latest" said
Watson.
"Do you think we could have
some of it?" Babette persisted.
"The sand will be there on
Wednesday and on Thursday your
roads will be swimming in oil
How's that?"
"YOu don't know what troubled
waters that oil will be poured upon.
Our neighborhoOd is quite up in
arms"
"You've disarmed me-can't you
go and do likewise to them" the
young commissioner said with more
than one meaning in his words.
Babette flushed slightly and rOst
to go. "Thank you" she said offer
ing him her hand And I'm glad
to have met my first politician"
81 hope you won't let the preju-
dice against our-professiOn. shall
l cab it?-be too strong" he said
Commissioner Watson found it
necessary to supervise, personally
the Edgewater Park job. and to
call upon Mr.. Morrison to apologize
for the delay.
"YOu see, father" Babette said
at the end of what had been a
wonderful summer to her. Il told
you it was better to rule by love
than fear"