Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1935-07-18
Bv Richard Hoffman
Copyright by Richard Hoffman,
WNU Service
CHAPTER 1
Monday

land downtown-in the large Office off
the bank that was all soft carpets, soft
lights, soft paneling, and enough floor
space rental to keep five families in
comfort for a year; "listen."
I've been listening. sir" said Hal,
''for twenty minutes"
The Old Man seemed to wait little
for the slow draining of humor from
Halls alert, gray eyes. Then he said in
quiet irony:
II dare say you've been told about
your charm"
"Never by you, SIR" said Hal with
faint bow, checked gently for fear Of
starting the slow, heavy throb in his
head again.
Il dare say you've been told that
when you bow that way, and let your
eyes twinkle, you're apt to get your
way. But venture to point out what
can't convince myself you've learned
for yourself: that the business world
is not made up Of pretty girls or sus-
ceptible matrons-social or theatrical;
that the business of the country, about
which you know nothing, is carried on
by men who think more Of persistence
and application than they do of capac-
ity to hold whiskey, or acquaintance
with speakeasy proprietors or handi-
caps at golf or the fit Of white fan
nels.
'The San Francisco Job is open till
the first of the month-because they
need somebody, not because I've asked
them to let you coast in on my name.
You've got your last penny from me
for transportation or anything else
till next quarters allowance. If you
want the job, get yourself out there.
If you don't, DON'T
Halls quick, mobile face was set, and
he met his fathers steady look with
bright, impersonal steadiness, rather as
If he had peevish, disappointing child
before him. Then he got up and
Strengthened his good shoulders with
deep breath.
'That all?" he said.
"That's ALL" said the Old Man, brisk
~ casual.
Right" said Hal, with a practiced
clipping of the word "Well-'bye."
He swung his back on his father and
walked over the thick carpet to the
door. In the silence, he could feel his
father expecting him to turn there for
another word-of hope, or of opening.
So he pulled the door, caught the other
knob behind him, and stepped out, leav-
ing only the soft, efficient click of the
latch for comment.
Dalrymple - known downtown as
Frederick Irelands knife and fork
was waiting unoptimistically outside,
where he couldn't be seen from the
banking floor. "Bad?" he asked appre-
hensively.
Bad" said Hal, letting his gray eyes
light again with their welcoming hui
NOR. "Rage-making. D'you know any
thing about bromo-seltzer? Does it
really work?"
They say so, but I've never need
ed"
"And I'm never going to again
never, never-probably. How do you
get to California on six dollarsy'
Lord, Mister Hail." said Dalrymple,
lis six dollars all you've-out of the,
that cheque?"
"'Fraid So" Hal reached into an
inside pocket and brought out the zig
gag length of the railroad ticket, with
couple of pullman slips pinned to
the top. Dalrymple looked relieved.
''Oh, but you've got transportation"
he said.
ION a train that's now probably
simply whooshing through northern
Ohio. Here, take 'em, and if you can
get an adjustment, credit the Old Mans
account, with my compliments"
& IF could-if you'll let me-"
Hal smiled, and his eyes wrinkled in
the corners. you're hi of a nice
guy, Dimples," he said, but I'm so
mad-so mad, for the first time in my
life, that l wouldn't borrow a Confed-
crate nickel from anybody who paid
taxes in the same state with that
that-with my father. He told me-if
you'll believe it, Dimples: he told me
/ knew nothing about money or life or
this country or him or myself or mod
ern plumbing or brokers' loans or Cod
knows whatnot that's of the most qui-
vering Importance to a young mans
career. He even made me the simply
astounding revelation that l was an
only child. Had you heard that, Dim
pies? He sat there and told me-but
what the HI: you're busy. And I've
got to get to the Coast. Bromo- seltzer
couldn't make it any worse, could it?"
Dalrymple looked worried, confused,
pathetic, and he murmured: mo, no."
helplessly. So Hal patted his arm,
promised to let him know what hap
pened, and started uptown again.
1t was in the subway that he re-
membered the sign they had laughed
at last night. In the West Forties, 1t
was, and If he could remember from
which place they had been going to
which other place, he would remem-
Der the street. california $33" was
the line he recalled, among list of
fares to Chicago, Miami, Detroit, Pitts
burgh, and other destinations which he
had no faintest desire to reach.
There" Tony had said, grabbing at