Evening star., 1934-06-17


Bulwinkle and Adam Bulwinkle.
They might not have trailed him so thoroughly
from address to address under his various
aliaseS-for it was apparent that Mr.. Bulwinkle
lived on the theory that 1t was cheaper to move
than to pay rent-if his name had been Smith
or Jones or Brown. But Bulwinkle! There was
no losing track of man named Bulwmkie!
The firm of Theoter & Caulk, for Which Mr..
Bulwinkle sold tried to sell, real estate in
the Theotercaulk subdivision, knew Mr.. Bull
winkle was failure because of the process
servers who came daily into the Offices inquiring
for Mr.. Bulwinkle Mr. Bulwinkle would always
meet these men with his wide toothy smile.
1t was difficult to tell process-server from
real estate prospect, at least until the former
flashed from his pocket the familiar blue legal
form of foolscap paper At first when Mr..
Bulwinkle drew salary from Theoter & Caulk
in addition to his sales commissions, Mr.. Bull
winkle used to pale and the hand that accepted
the marshals notice would tremble. But later,
as the years dragged along and Mr.. BuiWlnkle
drew no salary to be garnisheed, and, indeed,
commissions being uncertain they were.
he would stare from eyes that no longer miSted
beneath the pince-nez and would say, quite
cheerfully: Pleasant weather we're having,
Sir?"
The Bulwinkles lived first In Center street.
They did their marketing and general purchas-
ing at the neighborhood delicatessens, drug
stores and grocery stores, a most convenient
arrangement. But as their credit became more
and more involved and finally completely
hausted in that section of the city, they widened
their scope, broadening out one street and down
another, showing partiality in opening
charge accounts at all.
PUT now Mamma getting bit weary of
moving so often, it being too much Of
mental, If not physical, strain. Besides, now
that they were all located in fashionable Oak
lane in quite charming old house, they de-
cided it might be just as we'll to hang on to it
as long as they could. John had only one
year more in law school, Mary had but six
weeks to complete her business course, Henry
would get his A. B. in June if he made up that
math credit Edna would finish at Miss Ma
derta's "snooty own descriptive adjec-
tive-school February a year.
There were others who hearing the ugly
rumors of rent beating and bill lodgings, sus-
picioned Mr.. Bulwinkle failure, but instead
curmudgeon, a mean man. How could failure
dress his family the way Mr.. Bulwinkle did and
send his two boys off to college in their own
sport-model cars? Then just look at his
daughtersl At least the dark, vivacious Edna,
with her expensive dresses, beauty parlor visits
and Swanky schools! 1t was rather mystery
about Mr. Bulwinkles other daughter, Mary,
who was pretty enough in her frail, blond way,
but-yeS! she was downright shabby looking!
Why they INDUCED the boys and their brunette
daughter and openly neglected the blond one
well, that's what they'd like to know all right!
And then there was Mrs. Bulwinkle! No mill
ionaires wife could have more airs and graces
and tip-tilted to the sky! wonder
that one didn't drown when it rained
With ghosts of centuries and sunlight crowd
ing this June morning. Mr.. Bulwinkle walked
slowly home from the firm of Theoter &
Caulk because there was no longer firm of
Theoter & Caulk.
Suddenly, Mr.. Bulwinkle didn't want to GO
home. He didn't want to see Mamma and John
or Henry or Edna. Home meant only another
gray hair in a head that was mostly white
Home to him was walled-in confusion, bed,
a bureau and closet.
There thing about home that was
pleasant. It was Mary Bulwinkle, his youngest
daughter Mary'S forever laughing eyes were
as blue as the bluest gentians, and her hair was
gold and fine it might have been spun on a
clear-cut as a cameo, but there the delicateness
ended, for Mary had strength, the courage Of
her convictions and keen little brain.
II think this family is a mess!" Mary, two
years ago at 16, had announced. John and
Henry should be working their way through
college walters or even garbage collectors,
instead of keeping papa strapped all the time.
And Edna ought to be in business school instead
of finishing school When she gets out of
there she'll be finished all highland howl"
There was time when Mr.. Bulwnkle had
felt that way about the boys and Edna But
his family had been the kind who couldn't
stand penury and he was the kind who couldn't
go home to tears and disapproval.