Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-01-08


drawn into the room by a firm hand
on his shoulder.
'It's really JimmieP" said his father
wonderingly. He stared at him for 8
moment and Jimmie saw that his eyes
were deep-Set and blue and that his
skin was tanned He was surprised how
young his father looked.
Little Jimmie" said his father, with
a funny catch in his voice. Abruptly
he turned and Jimmie suddenly real
lied there was another person in the
room.
I'm planning to take the O'Clock
back to New York, Grady" he said
briskly to the neat young man with
nose glasses. May have to leave the
game a bit early to make 1t but I'll
meet you in the club car. Wen go over
the Vienna situation on the way back.
And Grady, want you to meet my
son. Jimmie, this is George Grady !.
the best secretary in the world I
ought to know for he's worked for me
all over the world, in the last few years.
Grady nodded. said: That's right,
sir" and then grinned in q friendly
way at Jimmie as he took his hand,
saying, "I'm certainly glad to meet you,
Mr.. Givens"
Before ne bnOugnC, jimmie ndu COl
rected him. MY names Deacon" ne
said and stopped in abrupt embarrass-
ment.
"a natural mistake, Grady" said
James Owens in a voice that was
slightly constrained. MY wife married
again and my son took Mr.. Deacons
name"
Grady muttered something apologet-
ically, gathered papers into brief case
and left the room. Jimmie, reddenlng
at his own stupidity, walked across the
room feeling as he did so, his fathers
eyes watching him. He stood numbly
gazing out the window His father a, cam, came
over and put an arm about his shoulder.
The affectionate gesture made Jimmies
Thev stood that way for moment,
then his father looked at his watch
and said, with forced casualneSs: well,
son, how about some lunch? I'll bet
you're hungry as the dickens and we
don't want to miss any OF the game;
it's going TO be a peacnI
aThat'il be great, sir" said Jimmie
keeping his head ayerted and feeling
furious at himself.
Two hours later they emerged from
the subway into the sunlight OF Har-
ward Square, thronged with people in
fur coats and listers, bright arm bands
and brighter chrysanthemums. Lunch
had been an ordeal to both OF them
despite the fathers friendly attempts
to break through the reserve of the
younger man, attempts that Jimmie
recognized and tried to meet halfway
but somehow couldn't.
Neither mentioned Jimmie'S mother.
That subject was carefully avoided.
Athletics. the chances Of the team that
afternoon, the new house plan, college |
clubs +. all these had been discussed;
things that two graduates might talk
over in a casual smoking car meeting /
on the Knickerbocker Express but not
things that a father and son should /
talk about on their first meeting IN
eight years. And both Of them knew
of course, it was mostly Jimmie's
fault; not his fathers. Jimmie always
had been extraordinarily shy ana tne
influence of his foster father, the equal
" reserved Robert Deacon hadn't
helped any. And his father was dis
covering this and was upset by the
knowledge. The youngster he'd played
With In the old days was gone. His son
vas q stranger whom he must know;
, son, keen and sensitive; a son to be
So they went down Boylston street
,ogether toward the stadium, side by
tide, but really far apart. Each one
;ensed that the other was uncOmfort-
,ble but neither could find some middle
yround on which to meet.
wait q minute, son, Jimmie the
Great said suddenly. There's old Pop
Henry, the greatest coach Harvard ever
ladl I want to speak to him-and
want you to meet him Hes one OF
he great men Of football"
@T remember when your father was
Married, my lad" said Pop Henry
moment later as he shook Jimmies
land. at was a beautiful wedding In
Id Trinity church-the whole team
vas there-even to Mike, the ground
.eeper, who worshipped the ground
our dad here tore up with his cleats.
lie turned to James Gtvens. Jim, be
ure to remember me TO your wife. She
vas a lovely bride. Yes, please give her
ny bestl"
James Owens started to speak but
POP had turned cheerfully to Jimmie.
And now, my lad, let's have look at
Toul You ought TO be fine material,
,eing your fathers SON. He took jim
MES arm in a strong hand. "Humpf
you're little on the light side" he
aid, but the legs are there and the
pirft-that's the important part--the
piritl That must be therel"
I'm going to fatten him up this
vinter," said James Givens competent
Y. After all, hes got two more years
ct. III take htm tn charge
Jimmie smiled nhyiy at Pop Henry,
. they parted. Tne older man leaned