Smyrna times., 1932-10-12
WEEKLY STORY
AROUND TABLE
Reading to While Away Time
Under the Evening Lamp
When Days Work is Done
INTERESTING READING
TIMES ARE PICKING UP"
BY Marjory Haines

the hllcHeHetle IOr the very SOOQ
reason that there were no longer
any chairs to sit upon. They had
been packed. along with the other
furniture of Daphne's apartment
and stored in the basement in
hopes that the obliging janitor
might later on be able to sell them
to some incoming tenant. Daphne's
big brother, Robert, leaned nom
chalantly against the gas stove
from which the gas had been turned
of, and their friend, Malcolm
Hughes, rested with what comfort
he could on the radiator by the win
dow.
They were all eating delicatessen
potato salad with pasteboard forks
and pasteboard plates. Daphne got
down from the tubs to pass a bag
of rolls.
Il bought nine Of them," she said.
If we each have one now, we can
have two each for lunch on the way
up. Maybe we can buy some milk
and fruit cheap from a farmer"
"Oh, Fred will stake US to dinner
before we get there" Malcolm told
Daphne. "And he says we are vel
come to the provisions he left when
he was up in June-coffee and flour
and sugar and things like that, and
probably we can catch some fish in
the river tomorrow"
Nothing like that fresh country
air." agreed Robert. "And Fred
says there are still plenty of blue
berries. It's practically certain
that either Malcolm or l will have
work later on, helping the farmers
pick apples or pitch hay"
Wen manage to get through the
winter all right-and maybe it's
just as well not to have any regular
work because We'll have time to
read up on farming before it's time
to begin planting in the spring." said
Malcolm.
Of the three, the young architect.
Malcolm Hughes, had been the first
TO feel the effects of depression.
For over a year now he had had no
work. His optimism about getting
employment had diminished along
with mis- savings At first Robert
Stone had taken his dose of depres-
sion in a series Of salary cuts. Six
months ago he found himself walk
ing away from his office with his
last pay envelope in his pocket
thirty dollars plus a little slip that
told him his services were no longer
needed Having gone through his
own meager bank account he was
forced to accept his sisters bounty.
and now for three months he had
shared her small apartment and
simple meals with her. Two weeks
ago Daphne had been one Of the
last interior decorators to be laid
OFF at Bradley and Fields.
And then just as even Daphne
was beginning to lose courage, Nal
colin dropped in with a letter from
Cousin Fred who had heard of Nal
colm's plight and had offered him
small upstate farm rent free
Robert and Daphne had needed
no urging and the venture became
a real possibility when the accom-
modating Cousin Fred. on his way
to Canada. agreed to take the three
to their destination.
II was nearing one when they fin
ished their meager lunch. At half
past one Fred would come to pick
them up. Daphne gathered up the
paper plates and spoons and was
taking one last look from the living
room window when the bell boy
came TO tell Robert that he was
wanted on the house phone. Three
minutes later he came back, hugged
his sister, clapped Malcolm on the
back and explained: 1T was from
Garner and Jones. They want me
to come back next Monday. Forty
a week to start. Times have been
picking up and"
Daphne's arms about his neck
made it impossible for him to go on,
then as she gave him his freedom
he turned to Malcolm and said:
THE first thing | shall do will be to
pay you back the $50 / owe you"
Malcolm looked questioningly at
Daphne. Il don't suppose it would
be lust the thing for Daphne and
me to 60 alone to the farm unless
she consented 10 be married on the
way"
1--WE won't talk about that now,"
said Daphne with significant en-
phasis on the last word. But with
Bob paying you back what he owes
we won't have to go up. Times sure
ly must be getting better"
Il can get a berth somewhere for
four dollars a week and something
is likely to turn up next autumn.
You know this living on farm is
all right If you're used to it"
"There are sure TO be snakes and
SPIDERS" interrupted Daphne, land
IL I can't get back as a decorator at
Bradley and Fields they'll at least
give me a job as an errand girl"
"As far as that goes" Robert as
sured them. with forty dollars q