Evening star., 1941-10-05

magazine about two days ago.
Rufus let out another guffaw and
shouted, The reason you don't want
him to buy it is on account OF how
Prunella likes to sit in it.
Henry said, Wait - I'll get that
picture and what it says about it."
Never mind" said MIR. Lowell
quickly. If that was the article he
thought it was, it not only told about
the chairs, but gave the price. He said.
IAN right. kids. Guess I'll take it. Ill
write a check" He pulled out his
wallet and extracted blank check
which he filed out - on the First
National of Boston, signed G. Cabot
Lowell.
Henry took it. He said. Thanks"
But Rufus, who had taken an in
tense dislike to this MIR. Lowell when
he'd broken up the maple fudge
division, now slid his oars into the
stream. He said, 1T isn't either fine.
Give it back to him. He's got to wait
till Old Mrs. Harte comes back"
MIR. Lowell sucked in his breath.
The temptation to wiring this little
boys neck was almost overwhelming.
He said. IL imagine the old lady will
be mighty pleased when you tell her
you had a chance to sell the most ex-
pensive piece of junk in the house and
didn't. I've always been a sucker for
Chippendale. or wouldn't give you
eight hundred cents for it,"
Rufus shook his head. 81 don't
care, there's no potatoes. Then he
said, Gimme that" He took the
check from Henry and handed it back.
Henry said, What's the matter
with you, Rufus? Are you crazy?'
Rufus sat down and crossed his legs
and folded his arms and looked bel
ligerent. He said. last month guy
came to our house and gave my dad
check that wasn't any good. And it
was for sixteen dollars. Maybe this
guys check isn't any good either. Any
way, if he tries to take that chair I'm
going to sic the dogs on him."
MR. LOWELL glanced out the window
like a weasel with its tail in trap; he
also glanced at the assortment of
animals parked under various pieces
of furniture. They did not look any
too friendly. Then he again studied
that chair. He laughed, sort of. and
hauled out a roll of bills. He counted
out pile of fives and tens, and handed
it to Rufus. He said, IT'S all right,
son, don't blame you bit. II had
a kid I'd want him to do the same
thing. You're smart youngster."
He paused and smiled rather sadly.
"Of course this will leave me little
short when l get to Concord. You see.
there's an old crippled fellow l wanted
to give some money to. kind of -"
Wait" interrupted Rufus. Only
six hundred and fifteen dollars here"
As Mr.. Lowell took the sheaf of
bills to recount them, his opinion of
Rufus dropped down some more pegs.
well, what do you think Of that" he
announced. by gosh, you're right. l
must of been thinking about some
thing else" He again hauled out his
roll. and this time. only too conscious
that the boys were watching him like
couple of fish hawks, he gave them
the correct amount.
Rufus took the money and set it on
a table on the far side of the room and
placed heavy bronze book end on it.
Then he went up to Mr.. Lowell with
his hand straight out. After all, he was
minister's son. He said, Shake! I'm
sorry l got mad at you"
Mr.. Lowell shook. He said, 81 got
to get going. You boys might give me
a lift with the chair. Each take a leg
Just as they we're passing out the
door. the parrot screamed. You're
crook" Mr.. Lowell's end of the an
tique landed on the floor. When he
collected his wits and discovered that
the maker of the noise was only big
i 4