Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1933-12-28

He was known from coast 10 coast
At twenty-five Bennie was nearing
the peak of his career.
He had achieved fame and wealth
greater than he had ever dreamed.
Yet Ii vas all deserving.
He had worked hard. fought ant
overcome countless obstacles. faced
and trinmphed owe adversaries.
II was during the summer OF that
same year. following a winter which
included. aside from eight hours OF
daily work. a constant round of Illus,
trated lectures. dinners. parties OF
every description. week ends. as the
guest Of the foremost families OF New
York and other large cities. that Ben
ME decided TO take a month off and
return 10 Maplewood for a much
needed rest.
He drove up from New York alone
in his roadster.
And 1t was while he was rushing
along through the hills Of Connect.
cut. with his mind free for once of
business and social engagements. that
he thought or those days back in Rug
giles general store with Lafe and
Bert and Joel.
He laughed aloud at the thought.
And suddenly, for no reason other
than until now he had not found the
time TO contemplate the matter. he
realized what a gulllhle and wholly
trusting little shaver he'd been.
He recalled how he used to sit
there, mouth ajar. eyes popping. while
n of the three told a yarn that in
stantly distinguished the orator as a
great and wise man.
How ridiculous Ii now seemed. how
%unimportant and insignificant these
men were in the great scheme of
things.
Bonnie wondered what they must
think of him. now that he was IA
nous.
There was probably some other
youngster who. not unlike himself,
sat In wonder and awe while the gen.
eral store sages told great yarns OF
the days when the now famous Ben
ME Markham sat In their midst and
drew pictures for them ON the backs
of order blanks.
The picture thus conjured was
amusing, and 1t occurred to BennIe
that 1t might be still more amusing
to visit these old cronies during his
visit In Maplewood. give them a treat,
SO to speak
The thought became father TO the
act. Two days after. his arrival at
home. Bonnie wheeled his roadster
up to Lafe Ripley's garage and or
dered gas.
Lafe himself operated the crank,
and when the tank was filled Bonnie
tendereT a $40 bill and grinned.
Hello. Lafe." he said.
LATE looked up and nodded indiffer-
emily.
10. Bennie." he said, digging into
bis overalls' pocket.
Flows trieks?'
Bonnie was a good deal disappoint-
ed. Lafe had expressed neither sur
prise 0 pleasure.
He acted quite as Ii the youth was
an everyday customer.
Bennie drove slowly away. Some
what cooled In arder, but nevertheless
anxious to carry out his scheme. he
strolled into Bert Morgan's barber
shop, and found Bert there alone.
Bert was more agreeable. He
shook hands and admitted being glad
to see the boy back And after the
lather was well spread he ever
asked. "What you doin', Benniel
Amt see you around much.'
Bennie did his best to be casual.
why, I'm drawing pictures, Bert.
You've probably seer some In the
magazines"
Bert compressed his lips. "Humm.
Yes. But ! meant, what are you earn
ing a Lying at? Amt yuh workin'?"
Bennie was glad to get out of the
place. He didn't call on Joel Ruggles.
He went home instead. and there was
a hurt look In his eyes. Robert Mark
ham saw the look and smiled. He
asked Bonnie where he'd been, and
when the boy told him. the older man
placed an arm about his shoulder and
said Son. you're famous and a
great success In the world outside OF
your home town. But here In Maple
wood you're still little Bonnie Mark
ham. who used TO sit with eyes a-pop-
ping while the village wisemen We'd
to impress you with their Importance.
1t isn't natural for those men to adj
NIT now that you're any greater or
wiser than they. Their pride is their
forte.'
And Bonnie, looking into his IA
theirs face. know that the wisest man
In Maplewood at the present moment
was Robert Markham.