Montgomery County sentinel., 1941-01-30
A Matter of
Expense
90
BY RICHARD HILL WILKINSON
Releasedby Western Newspaper Union

present course of the Cape road,
and build a new cement highway
directly through the center of Hill
side, the little village, heretofore
isolated, suddenly realized that it
was to be placed on display, so to
speak, for the benefit of the tourists.
Del Ripley, chairman of the town
nnance committee, Immediately
upon hearing news Of the proposed
new road, summoned together each
and every one Of Hillside's citizenry,
and expounded thusly:
Fellow citizens, we are about to
emerge from the obscurity Of a re-
mote and heretofore unnoticed coun-
try village, to become large let
tered word on automobile road
maps. The federal highway depart
ment has definitely decided to ex-
tend the new Cape road through the
very heart Of our town. What does
this mean? 1t means prosperity!
1t means we will be noticed!
I'VE must" Del continued, ''be
fair. We must take advantage Of
our golden opportunity.
Every man who owns property
bordering on the proposed highway
must vie with his neighbor in beau
tifying his home. Every man whose
home is located in the outskirts must
voluntarily devote a part of each
day toward repairing and improv-
ing the appearance Of our public
edifices and property"
Del paused again and the re-
sponse, save one, was unanimously
in agreement with the suggestion.
The change in the towns main
thoroughfare was remarkable and
swift. Houses were painted, lawns
moved and raked, fences repaired.
There remained now only the clean
ing up after the road was completed
and the property of one Jebidiah
Spencer.
Jebidiah's property occupied one
of the most conspicuous locations on
the new road. 1t was an old, ram
shackled house, dilapidated and bad
ly in need of repair. While the others
worked, Jeb slept and watched with
amused fascination. BY contrast
his property became even more
drab and forlorn looking.
The situation was serious. Del
Ripley consulted with other MEM
bers of the town government. I'VE
can't make him fix up the house,"
said Phil Baker gloomily. "It's his
and he can do what he likes with
it."
Del Ripley pounded the desk
Hereby. "Jeb won't sell and he
won't fix up his place. Well, by
thunder that place has got to be
fixed up. It's an eyesore. And
I know how it can be done!"
The others were interested and
demanded further explanation. Del
continued. "Jeb owes three years
back taxes. Avoids payment. We
can send him to Jail for that. While
he's there-and it'll be as long as
we can keep him there-we'n all
take hold and fix up the place our
selves. Then we'n threaten Jeb; tell
him we won't let him out tin he
promises to keep the place in good
repair"
A splendid idea. Everyone agreed
that Del had hit upon the right plan.
Forthwith, in company with Con-
stable Harry Brown, they marched
up to Jeb's place, briefly explained
the situation, and paraded him off
to Jail. Jeb went peaceably enough.
In fact. he seemed to enjoy the little
episode. They installed him safely
in the town lookup and went away.
Jeb lay down and slept.
Meantime Hillside's enthusiastic
boosters hied themselves to Jeb's
property and set to work. Inside Of
a week the house shone and glis-
tened with new white paint. The
lawn was moved, the fence re-
paired. Almost overnight, it seemed,
the place was transformed from a
shabby, ramshackle hut into a cute
and charming cottage.
Del Ripley, immensely pleased
with himself, accompanied by Phil
Baker, Nate Harding, and Constable
Brown, marched back to the jail
and confronted Jeb.
"Jeb," said Del seriously, you've
been here a week now, and must
be kind of sick Of it. We've fixed
up your place to look respectable.
And now Wen let you out on one
condition: That you promise to
keep your property in good re-
pair"
Jeb stretched luxuriously on his
cot. why, I sort Of like it here,
Del. don't mind staying"
Del looked troubled. you mean
you Just as soon stay in jail?"
''Why, sure. Nothin' to do but eat
and sleep. don't mind" tn4
Del was puzzled. Nate Harding
scratched his head and called the
others into conference. Look here,
Del. It'n cost us more to keep that
jigger in jail than it will to let him
out and hire a man to keep his place
looking WE'LL"
Del began to feel little weak.
He hadn't thought of this possibility.
Worse yet, Nate was right. 1t would
cost almost twice as much to keep
Jeb in Jail. And beside that, they'd