Evening star., 1932-05-01

zoe HAMDEN acquired the homecoming
complex with suddenness that left him
dazed.
On bright June morning, sitting at
i his desk whistling tune he had heard
the evening before on the Gibson roof,
he was trying to realize how fine and wonder
full the old world was treating him. Not
single worry to bother him. Only hour
ago he had mailed the final check to complete
the payment for his swanky Wimbly Eight.
And he didn't owe red cent now to anybody.
Even the piano was paid for, the piano and
the radio and the icebox
He also thought of Miriam there at home
in their fat this very minute, dream girl in
a fussy little apron, probably humming the
same tune that was lingering in his mind
she baked a cake a pie o. made an ice
box pudding.
What a wife to have! Miriam could waltz
around the Gibson roof just once and have
everybody admiring her. On the other hand.
she could grab little blue bowl out of the
cupboard and gayly mix concoctions that made
seasoned old matrons throw away their cook
books and beg for her recipes. Yes, the world
was good
THEN the home owning complex appeared
on the scene. 1t arrived in the form of a
letter from Uncle George Hamden, the familys
only millionaire announcing that the old
gentleman would come in 10 days for his
annual visit.
This visit might have appeared quite
innocuous in itself, but it was fraught with
all sort Of trepidations. 1t so happened that
Joe was Uncle Georges nearest relative and
right in line for juicy slice of that million
1t also so happened that Uncle George was a
crank on young couples owning their homes
Further, it SO happened that Uncle George
was blunt outspoken gentleman, who made
ideas knnun A ha hol 4
that Joe and Miriam ought to own their home.
that they wouldn't begin to attain success
until they did. And since he felt that way
about it Joe had recklessly announced that
when another year rolled around the home
would be owned and all like that
Indeed. Joe told the fond relative that the
money with which to buy said home was
being accumulated already and largely in
the bank Fine!
And now-another year gone by, and Joe
and Miriam after giggling a few times over
their smart way of turning off the old man,
had given no further thought to the purchase
OF regulation domicie. They still lived in
their fiat. Their money was still invested in
smart motor car. And Joes bank account
now showed the relatively unimportant total
OF 1924
He sighed heavily and reached for his tele-
phone. Il say. Miriam old girl, now is the time
to do bit of thinking
"Oh! You will tell fibs! I knew you'd he
sorry. Next time you'll be more careful"
Next time? There isn't any next time
We've got to have home by the time he ar
rives. He'll be as sore a boiled owl if he
catches us in the fiat again.
You've got sense, darling. Why not Just
tell him the truth? He'll understand"
Yeah? No. Miriam, we can't take the
chance. We've got to have a home Uncle
George has never been known to compromise I"
"Oh, well, Ed and Lucille are coming this
evening. Well ask them"
The weekly card game between the Ham
dens and the Jones was more of round table
for discussing the various triumphs and
tribulations Of the two households
They were such good friends no doubt be-
cause they were different. Joe was tall and
solemn. Ed short and boysh; Miriam
was tiny and dimpled, Lucille stately-Ed
called her Queenie
Joe lost no time in presenting the current
Hamden problem. Il bid three hearts," he an
nounced. You don't know where I can buy
o good, substantial home for $500, do you, Ed?"
"You spend your money freely on the worth
while things of life, don't you?" replied Ed.
"a young business like you shouldn't in
vest more than twice his annual income in a
place to live. Why the desperate plan?"
Joe told about Uncle George. 1T may mean