The Coolidge examiner., 1935-09-20
Fish Out of Water
BY DONALD S. AITKIN
% NcClufr Sea spAfs~r syhdlezta.
N$C Service.

S"NfHs " ara * TO.
ITS beautiful. Henry Mrs
Smiihers said.
Mr.. Smithers was slumped IN an
armchair. hands dug deep In frou
ser pockets. ~well.- be said Il
suppose It's q pretty swell way o'
telling man that he's no good ans
more"
Tears noaied In Mrs. Smlther's
kindly brown eyes. She forced
them back. put one arm around her
husbands shoulder and stroked hl.
gray head.
Don't take II that way. Henry
Yon ought 20 be very thankful
They've given you a generous ben.
sion. Now you can enjoy a rest"
Mrs Smitbers did her best to
smile. but ia her heart she was
afraid Men retired against their
VIII from Jobs held almost life
time. forced into inactivity. went
go pieces NNiEh48s
Next morning. In spite of pro-
tests from his wlfe. Mr.. Smiibers
rose as usual az seven. lie shaved
dressed and WAS the FIRST down M
breakfast.
lie was moodily munchlng a
piece of dry toast when the click
clack of feminine heels sounded on
The stairs. Doris took her place at
the table
Good morning. Daddy Unfold.
lns a napkin. she turned her pl.
quaint little face with It's bubbllnr
blue eyes IN the direction Of her
mother. Gee. Daddy's lucky. isn't
hei" she said NO more rushing
OF with me 10 catch the SIS In
the morning. All day to read bis
paper and do as he likes"
George. tall and glowing from
his morning shower. slipped into
his seat In time 10 echo the senti.
Bent
Yes. Dad" he said. Wish ! had
a little o. the spare time you're 20.
ing 20 have. haven't even had
time 10 try out my new fishing rod. -
All morning Mrs. smithers' pa.
thence was sorely tried. Henry Just
moped around.
After lunch Mrs. Smlihers decid.
ed that something must be done.
She was afraid Of what might hap
pen n this went on. Resoluteiy.
she dried her hands and went %
flnd him. Henry was nowhere IN
the house The old brown hat he
sometimes wore was missing fr. m
It's accustomed place In the hall. He
must have gone or somewhere for
stroll. Mrs. Smlthers went 10
the telephone and put call
through 10 the Office OF Jones. Ward
and Co.
Mr.. Ward. the president. listened
with astonIshment. Then be said.
But, my dear Mrs Smlthers. we
can't take your husband back He's
earned his retirement. II you think
the pensions not adequate, perhaps
we could"
Mrs Smlthers had TO begin all
over again.
"Ii isn't a question OF money.
Don't you understand Henry's
whole life was In his Job. Now
you've taken IL away! I'm afraid.
SO afraid, Can't you find a place
FOR him. somewhere. anywhere7 oh.
please. please''
Gradually the president came
around. Yes. he began 20 see. II
she'd tell Mr.. smlthers to come
down In the morning they'd talk
things over.
When George came home from
work she was almost frantic. They
drove down 10 the village 10 make
inquiries. The butcher put them
on the track His little boy had
seen Mr. Smithers heading down
towards the river where high banks
overlooked the most dangerous
part Mrs. SmIthers, whlte-faced
exchanged glances with her son.
George drove grimly. sending the
car bouncing and buckIng along the
deep-rutted lane The last fifty
yards had 10 be covered on foot
through trees. As they came out
close 10 the river bank. Mrs Smith.
ers uttered a little weak cry OF dis
tress. Halfway up the slope lay q
crumpled brown object. II was
Henry's battered old hat!
George gripped his mothers arm
and steadied her. They climbed "a
the top and looked down. Imme,
diately below them. at the waters
edge. sat Mr.. Smithers on a large
rock-fishlng Mrs. SmIther's eyes
closed and a little prayer OF thank
/ fulness went up. Then she looked
down again and cried out:
Goodness gracious, Henry DOM
you know it's getting dark?" The
scolding tone In her voice was Il
f hide her relief Come on up
We've got good news. They phonec
from the Office. They want you t.
20 back :"
Mr.. Smithers raised the fishing
rod. swung the balted hook 10 an
other part of the stream and let II
! fnu In amin with q little nlnn