The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-07-06

ed street? Why had he come? Why
a ne trusted to gray night snow to
shield him?
He ran blindly to the corner, ran east,
crossed Fifth avenue ON swift, unsteady
feet with weak knees
The box lay, bravely, showing its
handsome lid above an inch of slow fall
len snow.
Lew Hullen saw it as he tramped
hostilely and sullenly with turned up
shabby coat collar and turned down
eyes from street car line to nowhere in
particular.
Lew had not worked for eight months.
He was a mechanic. He was middle
aged, tired, thin, hungry, and discour-
aged. He had a family but not the
rent.
He picked up the box eagerly. A
find. What was in it? Food?
Orchids!
Some folks can buy orchids and
throw 'em away" he snarled. "And
others can starve and think the East
river" He flung the box four yards
ahead and STROBE IN. Suddenly, great
tears rolled from his gaunt, discourage
ed eyes.
Pedestrians are averse to snow. And
Johnny Kerrwell did not like the eve-
ming too well. His topcoat had recent
ly been pressed and Johnny, though a
gay soul, had a necessitous streak of
economy in his makeup.
Like Lew, he had turned up his COL
lar to keep his neck dry. Unlike Lew,
he had a job. Unusually good job in
these days. Unlike Vito, Johnny was
neither craven nor superStitious.
He picked up the Snowy box.
well, well. Orchids! Some one lost
his orchids. My luck"
Forty-five dollars weekly for account
ant assistancy does not include many
orchids. And Mary Gale, Johnny's
hearts core, liked to dance and she lik-
ed corsages. Mary worked for the tele-
phone company. She had gold brown
hair and dimples.
"a little chilled" Johnny now MUIR
INJURED in disapproval as his forefinger
touched a regal purple throat. Never
mind, little orchids. You'll soon be
warm, right above Mary's heart"
Mary had a studio apartment, too,
She had a chatting dish built for two.
She was a genius with buttered buns
and creamed meat Filings.
Johnny advanced like a king into his
kingdom when she opened the door to
him. She was all bright welcome and
creamed tuna fish scented the air.
johnny held out the box like a glad
schoolboy bringing home a report card
to mother. Mary, look"
Mary's hands were on her hips.
Mary's smile was fixed. I'm looking.
Where did you get them, Johnny?"
Found 'em in the street,"
"You did? In the street? How con-
%venient." Then hot temper became
chilly. "You mean you broke your word
to me. You've gambled again"
MARY, I tell you I found them!"
Last night you didn't have eighty
cents for table d'hote for us. And to-
night"
"Tonight I'll throw 'em right back
where I found EN- and you can go to
the DEVIL"
And he did-in time for Chauncey
Keeper who taught philosophy in an
upstate college to espy them.
Chauncey Keeper was in town to at
tend a pedagogic banquet which he had
anticipated with eagernesS and with
reluctance. His dress suit was shabby
And so, he felt, was his tired old mind
And, though in the years his vanity
had worn thin like a dime, he yearnec
a little for the homage of his fellow
liners. He was put down for a speech
Absently he picked up the box which
his foot touched in the snow. Then his
mouth turned down much as had Lew
Hullen's. Orchids! A snowy flower
which Chauncey Keeper did not like
They reminded him of this age and its
glazing faults; its snowy excresences
its cruelties, lawlessness, gangs, poverty
riches, hospitals, jails, and breadlines
They were soulless. Was the age?
CTo Be Continued