Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-04-16
%lT S &@URE; IS
ELLIS


That's where the real wallop hit me. And
real estate. Peck, I don't know what we're
coming to.
why. I know fellow who was worth $780,
600 two years ago and today he Is worth s. 900
less than nothing. Gave up his three cars
thank heaven haven't had to give up my cars
yet-and tried to mortgage his house. Eighty
thousand-dolar house and the best mortgage
he could raise was $4,000. I'm thankful to
say I haven't had to mortgage anything. Not
yet. But q man can't tell"
THEY were well started now. Before their
lunch was eaten Black had lost a million
and hoped he could keep his department store.
We've got to hope for a turn" Mr. Peck said
as they paid their checks. III we don't have
q turn soon everything will be taken away
from us-we won't have anything left-stocks.
bonds, real estate. man don't know what
he can put his money in"
Mr. Black assuming the air Of one who has
suffered the most frightful of losses. nodded
gloomily and murmured his agreement.
As Mr. Black climbed the stairs to the sub
way-which is, oddly enough. an elevated struc-
ture until it reaches Flushipg-he felt grandly
uplifted and inspirited. He liked this man
Peck and he believed he had impressed him.
They had had a fine talk, the best talk Mr..
Black had had in years. and it had done him
good. For awhile Mr.. Black had been glori-
ously or-rich. his imagination had scared to
millionaire depths of loss. and he had been
able to talk depression without stint. 1t had
been great fun and it had been fun Of a kind
the busy Mr.. Black didn't often get.
From the end of the subway Mr.. Black took
bus to within two blocks of his notion shop.
His wife was glad he was back. There
five customers in the store, and Mr. Black was
back in harness again a minute after he en-
tered, asking What is yours, please?" and tax
ing down boxes from the shelves comparing
cotton yarn with a sample.
The Black home was like many another home
With two pretty young daughters the young
fellows swarmed around more or less. Some
young fellow named Jack would arrive at the
door and ask for Ardene or Marjorie, and an
other named Billy would ask for Marjorie or
Ardene. and for a few weeks everything would
be Jack with Ardene, and Billy with Marjorie,
and then there would be no more of Jack and
Billy but Tommy and Henry would be dropping
in
Mr. Black could seldom keep them straight.
Saturday morning Mr. Black went down to
his breakfast and found his wife ready to pour
the coffee.
where's Marjorie?" he asked.
I'm letting her sleep awhile" said Mrs.
Black. And I've news for you. Henry, Mar
jorie is engaged"
"She's WHAT"
Engaged engaged to be married. She and
Arthur fixed it up last night"
claimed Mr. Black. which one is 1.-THE one
with red hair?'
Henry. That was Charles; he hasn't been
going with Marjorie for weeks. It's Arthur"
"Oh, yes-sure! He's the one with the old
fivver painted blue?"
mo. that was Bert You know Arthur
surely. Henry-the nice boy with the curly
hair"
"The boy with the pale blue car, Henry. You
met him don't you remember? Arthur Peck"
Peck"
Eyes. Arthur Peck From Richmond Hill"
Richmond HIP"
~oh. don't talk like parrot! I said Rich
mond Hill"
is his father banker?"
Eyes, think so. He's something in bank"
"A Brooklyn bank?'
eyes, that's it. Brooklyn bank"
'Oh!" said Mr. Black. "Oh!"
Hes such a nice boy" said Mrs. Black. I'm
SO glad Marjorie picked him And am sure
his people must be nice, Arthur is so nice"
EYES," said Mr.. Black, they ought to be
nice if he's nice"
Arthur is going to bring them over tomor-
row afternoon to meet Marjorie and U.s."
Bring who oyer?"
His parents his father and mother Of
course
"Oh!" said Mr.. Black.
cit seems to me you don't seem very much
interested" said Mrs. Black little resentfully.
The first of your daughters to be engaged"
"Oh I'm interested' said Mr. Black. Don't
get any wrong idea about that-I'm interested"
He was SO interested that he gave the wrong
change six times during the day. Arthur, Of
course came over that evening and asked per-
mission to marry Marjorie and he was quite
frank with Mr.. Black.
He was in brokers' house in Wall Street.
Arthur said but the depression had not both
cred them at all-they handled only municipal
bonds, and business was actually better than
In normal times with so many banks wanting to
keep exceptionally liquid. He told Mr.. Black
exactly how much he was earning and what
hi hour