Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1917 — Joe Goes A-Fishing [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Joe Goes A-Fishing

By ALICE E. IVES

(Copyright, 191", by W; G. Chapman.) “It’s all tommyrot, nonsense, tomfoolery, this vacation fever!” Mr. Torrey was getting red in the face. Joe Burnell expected it. He always knew what was coming when he asked for his two weeks’ layoff. But as this explosion had been an annual occurrence for the past six years, and as he had always not only been granted his request, but an extension of time if he wished, he simply waited in a calm, indifferent frame ofniind for the end of the tirade. - “Why anybody wants to go and pay out good money to be uncomfortable, to have bad meals, a slatty bed, mosquitoesand no ventilation In your room—” “But you can go where you don’t have those things." ——- “O. yes, if you want to pay enough for one day to live comfortably on at home for a week.” “Not necessarily. I went to a place last summer and stopped with a lady who takes in only two or three boarders. and I wouldn’t ask for anything better." “Perhaps you wouldn’t,” growled Torrey with a strong accent on the “you.” “But I would. New York is good enough for my vacation; Why anyone waits to go trapsing off to the country is what gets me!” -.."1f it only would ‘get’ you once boss, I’m sure it would do you a world of good.” ... “Huh! you think so!” sniffed Mr. Torrey “Well I'm doing pretty well now without a doctor. What time do you want to go?” The date was arranged to Joe’s satisfaction, and he went to his desk with a covert smile drawing his lips. Later on the curve of his mouth took a tenderer turn. He was thinking of old Torrey the man, aside from his cranks and oddities He knew the strong integrity, the fine sense of justice, and the generous, kindly heart under, the _ rather repellant exterior. Joe had started in the big electric firm at the bottom of the ladder when a boy of eighteen. He had steadily worked his way up to one of the most responsible

positions in the house. Through all these six years he had many opportunities of knowing the real nature of the senior partner. There had grown to be something more than respect in his feeling for old Torrey. It was something like the love of a son. Joe had no father, and the interest and wise counsel of Torrey had seemed in a way to supply the parental need. But Joe saw with some sorrow and regret the continuous hardening and roughening ' of the exterior. He wondered if it was penetrating to the heart and soul of the man. Was he becoming a mere money-grubbing machine, whose only happiness was in turning the grindstone, and whose w'hole life revolved around his office desk? -Torrey had neyer married and lived Id a-handsome bachelor apartment. There really was no reason for calling him “old” for he was still on the sunny side of sixty— But he had seemed to age rapidly of late. Joe wondered if it was not due 'to his treadmill existence. The young man, as usual, left his country address when he said good-by Saturday to leave for his vacation. suppose,” said Torrey, ‘you are going again to that model boarding house.” “Yes, Mrs. Burke has written that she will take me in again.” “They’ll all do that,” remarked Torrey dryly. “Not Mrs. Burke!” fired up the'young man. "She isn’t that sort!” “Oh!” said Mr. Tprrey softly. “Has •he a daughter?” Joe felt his face getting red, so he hastily said: “Yes,” and turned to go. But Torrey caught him by the arm. *Have a good time, my boy, just the best

that*s going!” His warm, strong handclasp drove home his meaning. The look around his lips was much like Joe’s had been when he thought of the heart of old Torrey. It certainly was not entirely “all the’ comforts of home" that had drawn young Burnell to the house of 1 Mrs. Burke. As Mr. Torrey had surmised, there was a daughter. Thetender memory of her had lingered with Joe for a year; and not only a memory, but several letters had passed between them, the matter of securing a room having required a large amount of corhad" _ gray eyes, shining brown hair, and a pleasant mouth which she never touched with rouge. The red of her lips and cheeks came from a wholesome life and plenty of exercise in helping her mother take care of the glimmer boarders^.—She was well educated and well-read ’ for a girf of twenty. Her mother, who had been left a widow when Margaret was twelve, had seen to her education out of school in the many ways that only~ a mother of good breeding can. Joe and Margaret had gone a-flshing. Ah, what a glorious day it was! The sun just glinted through the leaves enough to let you know he was shining his brightest, and not enough to trouble the two who sat on the bank of the little stream with* the corks of their, lines bobbing on the surface. Were the fish biting? Well, no. It was not exactly a good day for fishing, altogether too sunny. But what did that matter? It was much more important that they were together, that they talked of things that brought out a greater understanding of each other, and—well, after all, just that they were together. 1— They were rather ashamed to go home with just two fish, but Margaret had a sudden sense of being wanted in “the kitchen, and they started. When about half way, Joe paused as though struck by a thunderbolt. Mr. Torrey loomed up, if a small man can “loom,” in the pathway, facing them. _jQe^_helng—too-dazedfor utterance, Mr. Torrey spoke first. “Well, Burnell!” he observed cheerfully, “Large catch, isn’t it?” Joe endeavored to cover his embarrassment by immediately introducing the gentleman to Miss Burke. “Where are you stopping, Mr. Torrey?” he asked. “At the Grandview.” “Oh, that can’t be half as good as my place. Come and dine with me, right now.” Torrey looked as though he was trying to invent an excuse to refuse, but lie changed his mind, and went.— Mrs. Burke made the stranger very welcome. She was a cheery little woman, with hair just whitening a bit on the temples, a pretty color, and very blue eyes. There sas- or» other boarder besides Burnell. She was an elderly lady, who had been there for four summers, and was quite one of the family. The dinner was good, and the guest ate with a surprising relish. It was cozy and “homey,” and It was plain'to see Mr. Torrey felt this. Three days later Mr. Torrey asked to be taken in, and was given a large, pleasant room, which Burnell had insisted on giving up, all unknown to the 1 new boarder. Old Torrey fell in with all excursions planned by the others, the elderly lady preferring to remain at home. He hired a large touring car, and they explored regions quite unknown to the widow and her daughter. Joe saw with great delight that Torrey was looking younger, talking younger, and acting younger. But something strangely like a stab at his heart came when he saw Torrey going off with Margaret for long walks, and looking at her wit h tender eyes of unman here to rob him of all that life held for him? The next moment he was filled with remorse for the thought. Was it possible this old man’s money was more to the girl than his love? I One evening Torrey asked Joe to !go with him for a little walk. OUt iof sight of the house he said: “Maybe, {Joe, you’ll think me an old fool, but I'm going to be married.” Joe; feeling faint and stricken, managed to say: “That’s quite your own affair. I—l hope you’ll be very—happy.” “I expect to be,” said Torrey, with brisk conviction. “Margaret is the dearest —” “Margaret!” broke in the other. "Do you think I’m going to marry a child? I expect to be her stepfather. I had to get her to kind 'of intercede, you know.” Joe came so near falling in his arms that Torrey; quite unexpectedly to himself, embraced the boy.

Ilt Was Not Exactly a Good Day for Fishing.