The Washington times., 1938-11-16
GRAMP STICKS TO HIS CHOICE
By LAVINIA DAVIS

THE sunshine was hot or
l. the gravel in front of the
gas station. Gramp hitched
back his chair to give Trixie
more shade. The old dog felt
the heat but it was the winter
that crept into Cramps old
bones. In the summer he was
good as the best of 'em.
The old man and the dog dozed
peacefully. Beyond them on the
white highway the cars rocketed
back and forth to Millerton, Rox,
burgh and the distant shore
points.
Once Gramp went into his
house and switched on the radio.
He turned from one station to
another The police reports from
Millerton held him for a moment,
and ne listened idly. 1t was an
cid habit listening to the police
reports from Millerton. Years
ago when he'd first bought the
station he'd listened hopefully, in
tently. 1t was possible, a hundred
times more than possible, that
one Of the stolen cars reported
over the air would stop at
Cramps station.
PLANNED IN DETAIL
Gramp had worked it out a
hundred times. He would walk
casually into the house as soon
as he recognized the plates. He
saw himself move quickly and
quietly to the telephone. He even
had q little speech planned
against the time they gave him
the reward money.
Gramp listened to the end Of
the Mlllerton report. A robbery
in town. A car missing. Gramp
heard the number 204 and
yawned. He hadn't really thought
about catching a thief for years.
He turned off the radio and went
pdCK uGCO JIl6 sun.
Trixie lifted her graying head
and wagged her tail. Gramp
patted her and sat down again.
TriXie was another of his pet
schemes that hadn't exactly sue
ceeded. Gramp had taught Trixie
a whole battery of tricks. She
could beg, roll over, retrieve. walk
on her hind legs, and deliver
change in her mouth. Gramp
had bought her the month he got
the gas station.
It was after his clock golf course
had failed and the year he'd
finally sold the empty concrete
building that was all that was left
of Rogers Twentieth Century
Garage.
Trixie was just the beginning of
Q really first-rate idea. What you
needed in a gas station was some
thing to single you out from others
along the road. Gramp half closed
his eyes. Rogers Rodeo. He'd had
the signs all painted in his mind.
Trixie was the first but he'd get
some other animals as we'll. A
dancing bear, raccoon, a pony
perhaps, that children could ride
while oil and water were being
changed. But the plan hadn't
gotten any further than Trixie.
People were in more of a hurry
than they used to be. Gramp
nodded as he listened to the hum
of the traffic. Not so very many
people stopped at Rogers station.
They went to the bigger places.
The new concrete stations where
there were young, snappy at
tendantS.
Gramp tilted back a little
further.
A car drove up in front of the
pumps and Gramp woke up. He
hurried to the pumps with Trixie
behind him. mice day." Grump
said. Real summer day"
The man at the wheel didn't
answer. Fill her up," he said.
"And get move on"
APPRECIATION AT LAST
Gramp filled the tank and Trixie
sat beside him with her paws
crossed. She's real bright dog" j"
Gramp began, but the driver
wasn't interested.
How much?" he said, and gave
Gramp two dollars.
Gramp went into the house fol
ten cents change. Trixie pattereo
after him and came out with hel
little old head in the air and the
dime in her mouth. By the time
they reached the pumps the driver
was back on the road. "Gooo
Trixie," Gramp said and took the
change. The pomeranian's ear!
dropped. She was an actress, ar
old actress cheated out of a role
Gramp patted her and moved back
to his chair. Good girl" he said
and TriXie wagged as she founc
her spot Of shade.