The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-10-26

than they re rlgnf al THIS minute.
he strobe across the room, took
down his pipe from the mantel and
began stuffing tobacco into the bowl
Mabel watched him with wide. star
tied eyes.
There was alarm and bewilderment
in her expression.
Tomorrow" said Bill. I'm bring
ing a man home TO dinner Hes in
terested in buying the Reynolds prop
erty. II can put the sale across. We
can struggle along for another six
months. II not. we're sunk Please
try and be nice TO him"
Mabel expelled a lungful Of breath
that whistled through the air In the
form OF q vast sigh of relief.
There was triumph in her eyes.
There" she exclaimed. Il knew
it"
Knew what?"
knew things could BE worse. II
would be worse, wouldn't il. If you
didn't have any prospect al all. or If
the Reynolds place wasn't for sale?"
Bill shook his head and deigned not
70 answer.
There was a sad, helpless look In
his eyes.
There wasn't much you could do
with a person Ike Mabel
The prospects name was Crabby,
Justice Crabby. And Bill. after spend
ing the afternoon expounding on the
merits of the Reynolds place, decided
that Mr. Crabby was well named
He Grabbed at everything that could
be grabbed about.
His long. thin face, his forlOrn look
ing eyes, his gaunt, stopped frame
fairly radiated gloom.
To look at him was depressing
Mr.. Crabby's reaction to Bits sales
manship was in the form Of sympathy
rather than enthusiasm.
II seemed to Bill that the bloke pit
led him for even entertaining a thought
of selling a piece of property in these
dull times.
He wondered why the man had come
to look at the property at all, and re-
GREETED having invited him to dinner
would, In fact. have discarded the
thought had the invitation not been is
sued ar an earlier date.
Dinner was IN the table when the
two men reached Bills house and Bill
knew a feeling Of irritation upon dis
covering that Mr.. Crabby's gloomy out
look on life had In no way impaired
his appetite.
Mr.. Crabby ate with q relish and
heartiness that was quite astounding.
He deyoured the last morsel, smacked
his lips. pushed back his plate and
nodded his appreciation TO Mabel a
fine meal, Mrs. Williams"
Mabel smiled brightly. 1T could be
worse" she admitted.
Times are pretty bad" Mr.. Crabby
suggested Nothing like good food to
cheer a man up when he's low In
spirits"
well, / don't know" said Mabel
Times could be a lot worse"
Think so" asked Mr.. Crabby, inter-
ested.
"Of course / think so. Now take Us.
for example. Bill thought he'd have to
go to the wall And then he remem-
bered you. When he told me you'd
bought the Reynolds place, it simply
proved my argument. 1t could be
worse"
Mr.. Crabby and Bill exchanged
glances. Mr.. Crabby said: "Glad TO
hear some one admit things could be
worse. Most every one holds an oppo-
site opinion these days"
That's because they don't stop TO
think, Mr.. Crabby. Folks have been
used TO having roo much. They don't
appreciate a Iittle-they want a lot On,
my, yes; things could be a lot worse
than they are"
BY jingo," declared Mr.. Crabby,
picking his teeth, that's good philoso-
ply. Cheers a Teller up" He turned
to Bill You're lucky to have such a
wife, young man. Having some one
around with bright outlook on life
must be inspiring"
Mr.. Crabby loosened a stray piece Of
meat from an upper molar and chewed
on it pensiyely. II Dunno be said ar
last, ''but what III meet your figure On
that Reynolds place, Mr. Williams
Seems like a good buy. At least it
could be worse"
Yes" said Bill weakly, ait could be
worse"
Much worse" Mabel said brightly.
And Bill grinned ar her.