The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1931-04-10
Tom Titus Almost
Indian Civer
BY JANE OSBORN



1 again." announced Tom Titus at
the Omega Chi fraternity house, ad-
dressing some of whom were gath
cred around the large fireplace in the
main hall just before dinner. "You
know, she's the old girl that wants
our old clothes. Miss Perkins-Jane
PerkinS-ouch 70
No one was especially interested,
nor especially concerned. The name
suggested to them all rather dried
up spinster, Of which the college town
had plenty. This particular one hap
ened to be interested In an industrial
mission. The mission, she said, need
ed all the old clothes 1t could get.
They sold the garments at very
small price to the men who applied
for help and shelter. Sometimes, she
said, all the men needed to get back
ON their feet again was decent suit
Of clothes. 1t was hard to get old
clothes. And 1T had occurred to her
that the men at the fraternity houses
would have lots Of clothes to discard
before they were really at all badly
worn.
No one thought enough more about
1t to get together anything for the
industrial mission. Then one after
noon at about five, when Tom Titus
was reclining very comfortably before
the open fire, Miss Perkins drew up
in her fiivver and with jaunty self
assurance walked to the front door
OF the fraternity house and rang the
bell. AS was the custom, Tom Titus,
being nearest the front door, opened
1t and straightway he knew that this
Jane Perkins was very welcome
number.
She had come for the Clothes she
told him. The industrial mission was
her pet charity. She and her grand
mother, she explained, had not lived
in town long and they felt that they
were fortunate to have such an in
teresting cause to work for.
I'm mighty sorry" Tom Titus told
her, "that we haven't anything ready
now, but I'm sure we will have to-
morrow. Can you call, or shall I or
one of the other men bring them
around?"
'Tll CALL" smiled Jane brightly, and
Tom found himself smiling rather
eagerly back at her.
After she had gone he explained
and all, that it was their duty to pro-
duce something or other for the bun
die for the Industrial mission.
Rodney Praed was responsible for
the package that followed, but he nev-
er would have thought of it If 1t had
not been that Tom insisted that Rod
ney should donate his old raincoat and
his second pair of shoes, not to men,
ton all the neckties he owned but two,
and all his winter underclothes to the
cause you're senior" Tom told
him. you'll soon be earning money
and you can buy more by the time
winter comes around"
So the bundle was assembled. Rod
ney took upon his shoulders the task
of packing it up, and the next after
noon Tom waited to give it to Miss
Perkins when she called. He asked
if he could not go with her to the
mission-so he could help carry the
bundle-and before he had left her
he had dated her up for the next Sat
urday night house dance.
That night Tom discovered that his
spring suit-the only suit he owned
beside the one he was wearing and
his tuxedo-had disappeared from his
closet. Rodney Praed said that it
seemed only fair. He had sent Rod
neys suit.
Tom Titus made no comment, but
the next morning early he found his
way to the Industrial mission. A brisk
looking white-haired lady, apparently
rather nearsighted in spite of thick
lensed glasses, was at the desk in the
reception room. Ranged on hooks and
hangers behind her and around tn =
room were various suits, coats, hats,
etc.
''IS there something l can do for
you, young man." she said, and right
away Tom knew she was James grand
mother "We have some rather nice
things this morning."
This was an opportunity, thought
Tom. 1t would be easier getting his
suit back this way than by explaining
the prank and making himself out an
Indian giver.
81 was looking for a suit, SOS |
could go to work." said Tom with as
sumed wistfulness. 1.-THE one I'm
wearing is borrowed"
With a little manuevering he picked
out his own suit and retired to an
other room to try it on. The kind
old lady insisted that a dollar was
ample pay for 1t and threw In a half
dozen rather good secondhand ties
and some shirts, into the bargain.
Later when Jane Perkins knew Tom
much better she told how she had first
begun really to admire him when he
gave an almost new suit to the i-dus-
trial mission. Her grandmother had
| told her that she let very poor
young man have it-a poor down-and-
out fellow who was trying to get a
job.
And even after they were engaged
Tom did not tell Jane Perkins the
truth of the matter. And he is won
| dering whether it is one of the con-
fessions he ought to make after they
| are married