The Washington times., 1937-09-23

toned to the stern tactics of his
kind, he found it difficult to un-
derstand Norah's viewpoint; to
him, the purchase of an obvious
bargain at the cheapest possible
price was no more than a basic
fundamental of finance.
He stared at Jud Atkins,
shrugged carelessly.
The old man placed the two
glasses of milk upon the table.
"That'll be 10 cents" he said
gently.
Trowbridge handed him two
nickels.
I'VE we're just noticing these
chairs" His gesture swept the row
of tables. "Old, aren't they?"
yep. Been knocking around
the barn for some time" Jud nod
ded mournfully. Thought they'd
do out here. Effen they're too
rickety, I'll bring you a couple
from the house"
Don't bother, please" Norah'S
smile held some anxiety. Her eyes
were on her husband; he was
sitting stiffly erect in the straight
backed chair, frowning, as over
some knotty problem.
They're not very comfortable,
either" Jud admitted. I'D like to
get some nice canvas ones, stead
of these old wrecks. But the way
things been lately :" He shook
his head, made helpless gesture.
Trowbridge bit through the end
of his cigar. A thousand dollars,
asking only to be taken away!
And the old man would be
pleased, overjoyed to receive a
hundred for them! He glanced
at Norah; her soft, kindly eyes
were pleading.
We'll" Jud began. II won't
bother you with my troubles :"
Trowbridge glanced up at him,
suddenly smiling.
I'LL tell you something" he said
slowly. II was going to offer you
a hundred dollars for those six
chairs"
"a. a hundred dollars!" The
old mans bright blue eyes were
dazed. You're not kidding me?"
NOT ETHICAL
IT said I was going to offer you
a hundred" Trowbridge replied.
But my wife here pointed out
that it wouldn't be ethical to take
advantage of you that way.
You see, these chairs are Hep
plewhites. Antiques. The set
should be worth more than a thou
sand dollars"
Jud Atkins white, overhanging
eyebrows rose in amazement. He
stared doubtfully at his two Gus
toners, unable to find words.
ANY reliable antique dealer in
the city will be glad to come out
here and look at them" Norah
said gently. I'm sure your prob
lens will all be solved now.
"A thousand dollars ought to
make life a great deal easier for
you" She turned to her husband.
Come along, Will. Well have to
hurry if we expect to reach the
lake before dark
AS the big sedan slid out Of the
driveway, she placed her hand
over her husbands.
80 ~
"None." He chuckled. Feel
like Santa Claus. Did you notice
that bewildered expression on the
old mans face?
Couldn't believe his own good
fortune, I guess" Trowbridge
hesitated. you you were
right, Norah about ethics"
Back on the rickety porch Jud
Atkins stared after the disappear
ing automobile. and sighed. These
women ard their ideas about
ethics! Just his luck to run into
a couple of honest people.
A thousand dollars! Huh!
He'd be glad so sell the whole six
for a hundred, to any of these
city slickers so eager to trim a
poor farmer.
He'd have to soft-pedal the tot
terry stuff little though, if he
expected to get rid of the rest of
the truckload of phony antiques
by September.
Disguised, Uncle Jud bit off an
other chaw of tobacco and once
more settled himself in the creak-
ing rocker.