The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-09-25

THRYA SAMTER w
She could 60 home, of course. She
could live in her own home-and in
terfere with Ralph and Lucille, who
would have to learn to adjust anyhow,
and who wouldn't be helped with her
around. She could live with Edgar or
Rutland be slightly in the way. She
ment and go visiting around the way so
many old ladies did. That wasn't what
she wanted. She had wanted this-New
York and idleneSS. Now, she didn't dare
peer into the. future-didn't like what
h saw when she thought Of tomorrow.
She rang up Mrs. Kimberly. The tel
ephone operator reported that she was
out Of town. She went to see Mrs.
Houghton and found a discontented,
rather disagreeable woman who played
bridge every afternoon. Grandma never
had cared for Mrs. Houghton when she
lived at home, she remembered now.
What was she going to do?
She took more trips. More bus rides.
Saw more movies. She couldn't face
the knowledge that she'd have to do
something definite-make some sort Of
decision. She couldn't 60 on like this,
day after day, with no reason for living.
She got into a Chinatown bus. It was
right after dinner and the bus, though
scheduled to start, was still empty.
Grandma took a seat well up in front.
Since coming to New York grandma
had learned a hundred small things
about the city. But she had not learned
that certain ladies make a living by
sitting In buses to help attract, Gus
toners. These "comeons," curiously
enough. are not pretty and young. They
are old and respectable looking. They
lend an air of decency, of substance.
to the bus ride.
Grandma wasn't trying to put any,
n GU OF a job. She wasn't there under
any false pretenses. She just wanted
"a ride to Chinatown because the eve
ming was young and she had nothing
else to DO. So she had climbed into the
bus and sat down.
The driver was not around. No one
was around but the lecturer, who stood
outside and, in glowing terms, tried to
entice people to go in.
Grandma bad learned that, in New
York, If you wait long enough, the
thing that is scheduled to take place
Is quite likely to do so. She had moth
ing to do but wait, anyhow.
She sat there quietly, wearing her
second best black silk dress, her hands
folded in her lap. Ladies always sat
quietly with their hands in their laps.
She thought of the folks back home.
Her own family who didn't need her.
The other people she had known. And
she thought Of the New York crowds
h had seen, the restless, disconnected
women, and so few who were neither
young or old Did people come to New
and leave before they were gray? She
thought Of Washington Heights, of
Wall street, of the Ghetto and of Cen
trail park. And she watched the crowds
jostling each other as daylight seeped
out and electric lights provided a gayer
and gaudier substitute.
A man climbed onto the steps Of the
pleasant man and, for an instant,
grandma was a little afraid. She was
so much alone there inside the bus in
spite of the crowds. He was a curious
looking, round ~shouldered little man,
all Of a color and the color was a sort
of dirty brownish gray. He wore a cap
n grandma never liked caps for men
except for sports wear.
The man sort of skunk into the bus,
looked furtively around. Then he looked
at grandma. She didn't like the way he
looked at her.
There you are, granny" he said, II
was afraid you hadn't got here yet"
He walked over to her, sort of
hunched up.
Grandma didn't answer. She didn't
like to be called granny" by any one
and she didn't like to be spoken to IA
miliarly by strangers. The nerve of this
fellow speaking to her and calling her
granny"
why, I don't know you" she began.
That's all right, granny" the man
went on. Nothing to get excited about.
Keep your shirt on"
What a thing to say! Grandma had
garments.
II don't" she started again.
Il know" said the man. "You ex-
pected Joe. He said to tell you he got
tied up. He said I'd find wou here in
twenty-five. And for you to stick on for
up at the other end"
II don't see" grandman began again.
Hold your horses, granny, and don't
CROUCH" said the man. There won't
be no hitch. Joe said you'd probably put
up a holler. It's perfectly safe, I tell
you. Eddiell be at the other end. Just
slip him this: I'd better be moseying
along before I'm spotted"
He turned away and as he was leav-
ing the bus, he tossed something into
grandma's lap. A small white box. Be-
fore grandma had a chance to say
anything he jumped out, disappeared.
Grandma didn't like any part of it.
The man. His looks. The way he talked.
The things he said. About Eddie. The
white box.
She picked up the box gingerly with
two fingers. Looking at It. Why, you
couldn't tell what was in a thing like
that"
She had half a mind to throw it
out of the car window. Well, she didn't
want it. That was certain.
With a swift motion, as if she were
throwing stones to frighten the cat
out of the flower bed grandma threw
the box toward the front of the car. It
hit against the front seat. Careened.
And landed well in front, almost under
the drivers seat. Well, good radiance to
bad rubbish! Now she could see China
town in peace.
She thought so then, anyway.
The a began to fill up. An old
couple from the country. A man in q
funny gray hat. A mother and daughter.