The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-11
Chapter "a
Reviewing The Troops

west was blue and gold arrange
ment notable for cloudless skies
and a horrible exodus of citizenry
from New York. Over the specta-
Gle of these steaming millions en-
barking for the country to par
ticipate joyously in sunbtIrn and
mosquito bites, the perpetrator Of
this chronicle proposes to draw a
merciful veil. It IS his intention,
rather, to leap chamois- like over
the intervening hours and arrive
at eight o'clock in the evening.
Pausing at this witching hour
TO review the troops, as it were,
we first find that classy and diet
tante-ish gentleman. Mr.. Van
Ripper Hardness, parking his
snooty Isotta-F ranchini before the
apartment house of Miss Dorothy
South. The appearance and mien
of Mr.. Hardness were of the light
est. A flower lowered in his but
tonhole and a song trembled on
his lips. In fact, though Mr.. Hark-
ness was not aware of it, his ne
meanor was comparable to that
of a lamb frisking on the fringes
Ola olf-haunted forest.
The reason such comparison
Is tenable was the presence Of an
unobtrusive sedan parked across
the street from Miss South's apart
ment house. Occupying the front
seat of this vehicle were two gen.
tlemen who had been watching the
progress of Mr.. Hardness with con-
Siderable interest. AS he disap-
peared into the house the man
behind the wheel, a short, power
fully-built individual, spat pro-
feSsionally out of the window of
the car, took off his gray felt hat
and famed himself with it.
"Wul, dere he goes" observed
Mr.. Ape Coletti. "Wot's next.
guv'nor?"
In the seat beside him Chiseler
Jennings made gesture Of an
noyance.
"You have your orders, Coletti.
he said testify. wait till they
come out. Then follow that car.
And meanwhile, you'll oblige me
by keeping silent. want to think. "
sSposin' lose it," inquired
Mr.. Coletti. in no humor to oblige.
Lose what?" said the Chiseler
vaguely.
why. de car" explained Mr..
Coletti. surprised at having to-
plumb the ABCs. dat hotsy- totsy
1Oy-Wagon over dere at de cobb
S'posir !"
The Chiseler flung an irritated,
arm heavenward-
why is it." he moaned, shat |
have TO undertake mission like
this accompanied by a splay- footed
Wop with a head full of saw dust?
You're fool, Coletti. Now stop
supposing and shut up. AS for
the car, don't lose it"
At this point the figures of Miss
Dorothy South and Mr.. Van Hark-
ness appeared in the lighted en-
trance of the apartment house.
The Chiseler's left hand gripped
Coletti's knee hard. In silence.
they gazed acros the street.
So far as could be seen over.
the width of the thoroughfare,
Miss South was CARRIED with view
to participation in gala proceed
ings. A black evening gown of
the clinging variety enveloped her
svelte figure. The upper portion of
this garment was concealed by a
white coat of operate aspect. Miss
South clutched its folds about her
as she climbed daintily into the
1sotta. Her mood, too. appeared to
be IN keeping with the gala. A
trill Of silvery laughter reached
the ears of Coletti and the Chisel-
er Then Hardness was up beside
her and the Isotta glided off in the
direction of the East River.
The Chiseler nodded approv-
ingly.
stated. "A consumate actress. She
has brains. Coletti. Which is more
than j can say for one of the sons
Of your old man." He broke off
and glared at Coletti who, as yet,
had done nothing constructive
toward keeping the Isotta in view.
Well, come on. you dumb ginney.
Get going. What are you. planted
here7"
Thus admonished the Ape made
q wild dive for mechanisms. His
feet trod on starter and clutch al
most simultaneously and his right
hand shot toward the gear shift
The sedan bounced away from the
curb with a banShee-h like. screech.
Before settling back in his seat.
the Chiseler permitted himself one
more comment.
That's right, DEAR" he said
acidly. strip the gearsl All we
need now is for you to put the car
on the blink.
Jumbo, The Weight Maker
TT now falls to the unhappy lot
i OF this chroniclef to report a
perfectly sickening conversation
that took place between two moon
struck members of the younger
generation on that popular Long
Island highway known as the Je-
richo Turnpike.
Jumbo: Darling?
Luella: Yes, Angel-Pie.
Jumbo: ] can hardly believe it,
sweetness. ! think ] must be
dreaming.
Luella: You're not dreaming,
lambie. It's true. Love your Luz
Jumbo: Boy, do I?
Luella: How muchi