Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-11-12

nat NdS WHIT sOiiltDOul SAUL
"Guess Joe IL a little potted."
Somebody else said:
He always looks ported 20
me-"
After that the skidS were creased
and Joe travelled fast--ln the
wrong direction.
STILL TRAVELLING
He was still travelling, meta
phorically speaking. even as he
stood in the inhospitable coldnesses
of Times Square.
He shfaffk against the building,
half too1shield himself from the
bitter Wind. half 10 shield himself
from ths bitter memory of sue
cesses.
Across the street he recognized
a slouched figure. Harry Blake
known as the man of a thousand
faces.
Today Blake had only one face
and one pair of shoes. Both badly
patched. 1t was characteristic that
Joe Edmonds Whisky Joe-should
avoid his friends. not because OF
his own misfortune, but because OF
theirs.
1t never occurred TO him that
they might pity him. Like the al
coholc walk. the other habits OF
his profession stuck. and he was
a good trouper. Too good 10 waste
time in self-pity.
He was so engrossed in watch
ing Harry Blake that he didn't
notice the Chesterfield overcoat
which stopped abruptly.
"My God, whisky Joe Ed
monds," the man said.
Joe saw the florid face, thei
china blue eyes. He smelled the
Whit of prosperity-the tantaliz-
Ing odor of an excellent Havana
cigar.
Part OF my public, no doubt"
Joe replied without bitterness.
81 went out before the autograph
hunters came I'm, so I've never
learned to write. Nevertheless.
what can I do for you, buddy"
I'm Jake Meister," the
stranger told him. "You know
Plunkett and Meister."
1.-THE rear end of the horse"
Joe remembered delightedly.
"Sure 1 remember now. We
played Des Moines together on
Pan time. That was n funny
horse" he added generously.
Especially your end"
In the little silence, Joe eyed the
Ither curiously. Almost gently he
aid:
whats your trouble. Meis-
teri"
Meister shrugged.
Everybody seems TO think
I'm Santa Claus"
THE PRICE OF EATING
Joe giggled.
Tho price OF being able to
eat regularly. Now let me guess
what you've got In mind. One.
you're having n convention and
you want me to do q turn. II
1.-TWO, you're organizing q
vaudeville revue for the crippled
Kids ut Welfare Island and will
1 contribute my services--for
free eats or three, you know
guy who knows n guy whose
brother-ln-law's cousin Is angel
Ing n show and you'll give me n
card 70 the casting director -"
Meister chuckled.
1.-THE fact Is. I'm giving a
banquet to my sales staff. just
want o little clowning between
the speeches .. twenty-five all
right:1
"Ten years ago IL would have
been lousy. Today I'll feel like
Andy Mellon"
Meister gave him a card with
he address OF his office.
drop In tomorrow and Wen
20 over the routine"
Across the street there was no
race of the slim figure of Harry
Blake. Nevertheless, Joe said toI
Meister:
Five bucks now TO seal Il,
old man. There's n guy in this
town can use It."
Meister handed IL over.
Same old Joe. I remember
you helped me out, lotsa times"
AS he turned TO go, Joe patted
lis shoulder.
Worry doesn't get you thing
but Indigestion. Better quit It."
And. comforted, Meister turned
o continue his heavy walk.
Jauntily Joe turned toward
eighth avenue. His plans churned
Iround like multicolored balls |
brown in rotation by a juggler. |
This, ne knew, was the begin
ling of a number of such engage
nents. He wouldn't have 10 say
He could forget Harry
Blake; il he didn't look him up, he
ould keep the five spot.
II he did look him up he might
ave Harry on his neck.
He Scurried toward his lodging
louse, aware only subconsciously
4 the traffic. protected by that
ADvERTIsEMENT