Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 255, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1917 — Page 3

A Young Fellow

By.H. H. Duncan

(CopyrUjht, 1917, by the McClure Nowspa- * per Syndicate.) A young fellow started out in real estate, and real estate, when one isyoung and just beginning, is almost as barren of business as the first year’s practice of a lawyer. But £he young man had an office, with his name In gold leaf on the glass in the door. he sat in his swivel chair before the empty roll top desk and eyed the sign, he became dissatisfied. The letters seemed to mock, to tantalize, to Khlm. He determined to lock up ffice and go see Florence. Just as he whs about to put his idea into execution, a visitor crossed his threshold. It was Mr. Thomas Henry, father of Florence, and one of his father’s most Intimate friends. f I am glad to see you," stated the young man cordially, as he rose to greet the older man. “It was good of you to look in on me.” “I was just phssing,” said the elder man, “and I thought I would drop in for a moment’s rest. How’s business, Frank?” “Neither good nor bad,” replied the young man cheerfully. “There isn’t any.” “TTgh! That’s rather fierce." ' “Oh, don’t take it seriously, Mr. Henry,” remonstrated the young man, shunning pity. "It’ll pick up some day. Tm not a bit discouraged.” “That’s the way, Frank,” approved Mr. Henry. “I’m gjad to hear that you're proving—or rather promising to prove—worthy of your friends. One of them said to me today, ‘He’ll make good. I’ll guarantee that he will.’ That’s what one person thought about your future In real estate.” “Who said that?” asked Frank eagerly. “I didn’t know any business man “ here Fn town held that opinion. They all said the field was overcrowded and that I was a fool for launching out In it. Who was he?” It was rather awkward for Mr. Henry. He hesitated. “It wasn’t exactly a business man, it was Florence." He looked keenly at the young man as he mentioned his daughter’s name and smiled; The young man was not at all disconcerted. On the contrary, he seemed as much elated as if Thomas A. Edison had been his Indorser. Of course, poor reader, you can’t understand this, as you don’t happen to know Florence. • • “She’s a mighty dear girl,” the young man declared. “Do you know, Mr. Henry, she’s all right, even If she Is your daughter.” Mr. Henry looked at the young man for a cue, and found him grinning. “Frank.” declared Mr. Henry, his brow wrinkling, “I’m up against it. I wish you could help me out on a little deal a big deal, rather. But it’s hopeless. “The most experienced men in the business have fallen down on it." “What’s the deal, Mr. Henry?” asked the young man. “Give me a chance.” “You couldn’t do anything," replied Mr. Henry rather sharply, “unless it would be to drug the old man. It’s that Jackson block business, Frank. You know Mr. Jackson, a client of mine, has been wanting that half block for an office building site. He’s bought every foot of land from Walnut street clear through the alley, a solid half block, all except that little lot on which old man Boyd has his shack of an office. That little one-story shed Is all that stands In the way of a new building. For my client, I’ve offered him four times as much as the ground Is worth or will ever be worth, but still he holds out. He’s jealous of Jackson, that’s all. I can’t get him to give In. I’ve tried every way through all kinds of people.”

Mr. Henry stopped and scowled. He glanced U'rOund the room, scowled at the empty wastepaper basket, at the book shelves, at the filing cabinet, and even out the window, where a ten-year-old girl, who was passing, a very good girl, nrobablv. whouw doubt helps wipe the dishes at jmme, and takes care of her little brother, was badly frightened because she thought Mr. Henry was scowling at her. "Boyd lives just the other side of the half block, doesn’t .he?” asked the young man. “Yes, he does,” growled Mr. Henry. "What has that to do with lt?’O “Everything, if It’s worked right,” declared Frank. “Do you want me to buy that twenty feet for you?” “You get a chock for a thousand dollars If you do," fttomlsed his friend, “and we’ll allow for the lot" . “Will you give mO a week, Mr. Henry?” The young matt was excited. “I will,” replied Mr. Henry, looking at h<m in bewilderment “And take the deal out of the hands of the agents?” To this Mr. Henry was willing. "All right,” answered the young man, “it’s your lot” “I don’t know." '“I do,” declared Frank. “11l start the ball rolling right away. Kindly remember me to Florence, will you, Mr. Henry? Tell her Til call just as soon as I bring about this deal. I’U have something important to tell her. Spring the lock as you go out will you?” Frank bolted'into his coat grabbed his

hat and, leaving Mr. Henry glued to one of the installment-plan chairs, darted down the street. » ‘.‘Hello, Sam?’ called the young man, after he had traveled several blocks. “I was looking for you.” A large negro, carrying a basket of ashes toward an old horse and wagon, wiped, his hand on an overall leg and greeted the young man. “I’se powerful glad to see you." “How’s Mrs. Smith and the babies?" Inquired Frank. “Fine, sir, fine. You jes ought to see my little boy, Mr. Frank. “And how’s the band?” asked the young man. “Say, Mr. Frank 1" shouted the negro, kicking over the basket of ashes in his excitement, “you Jes ought-to hear that band now. Fve been practicin’ era regular ebery night, and they’se gettln’ on fine. You ought to hear ’em play the ‘Swanee Biber.’ Mr. Henry, it would make tears melt fn your mouth. Ob course, I hab my troubles, y* understand Mr. Frank, the negro continued. “Ebery bandmaster has his troubles, Mr. Frank. Now take that nigger trombone player. He’s all right on volume, Mr. Frank. He’s fine on volume. You could hear him four miles, I reckon. But the feller won’t play in tune. When we’re playing flats he’s playing sharps, an’ he's always a couple of notes ahead of the rest. An’ the cornet, an’ some of the others, ain’t what they should be. but I’se practicin’ ’em. We’ll get together all right after a while.” The negro smiled hopefully. “Sure you will,” agreed Frank. “Where do you practice, Sam?” he asked.

“We’ve been playin’ In a barn back Ob my house. It’s a tolerable enough place when it don’t rain. I’s looking for a better place, but don’t seem to find none. We can’t afford to pay much rent." “Sam,” stated the young man, ‘Tm Interested In music, and Tm Interested in your band. How would you like American hall for your practices?” For an answer, Sam grinned like a man on a holiday. “I can’t premise It to you any longer than a week.” “Das all right, Mr - Frank ” responded Sam. “A week’s better ’n nothin’." “Want to start to-hight, Sam?” asked the young man. “Yep, seben o’clock. Play straight through till leben.” “Fine,” declared Frank. ‘Til explain a llttler Sam. The reason I’m renting this hall for you Is because I want to treat the neighborhood to some good music. See?” “Yes, sir,” answered Sam. But really, you know, he didn’t. “If things work out the way I expect them to,” promised Frank, ‘Tm going to buy your band new uniforms.” “Good heabens, Mr. Frank! Real ones, blue with gold braid? An’ a drum-major hat for me to march In? “Surest thing you know,” answered Frank, grinning. “Only be sure to have the band play loud. You know I want all the neighborhood to be sure to hear the music.” This Sam guaranteed. “And see here,” added the young man: “If you don’t care, Pd like to be known as the manager of your band. May T?” ( “Ob course,” magnanimously. “It’ll be a big thing for the band; Mr. Frank Lucas, manager.” “And remember this, If anybody comes up and wants to cut out the music—some people like music, others don’t—or threatens to kill the trombone specialist, you tell ’em I’m manager of the band, and send ’em to me, will you? Tell ’em Pm running the circus, will you?" “I shore will,” promised Sam. “I don’t want no scraps wid nobody, I don’t An’ t’ank you, sir. The band’ll give ’em good concerts all week—nice loud ones. So long. Mr. Frank.” Well, it all came out as we expected. A week’s music from Sam’s band rehearsing “Swanee River” each night from seven until eleven o’clock in the hall directly opposite his residence, was all the music Mr. Boyd could stand. He remonstrated with Sam in vain—he was sent to Mr. Frank Lucas. The police told Boyd, when he complained, that they had no right to Interfere so long as. the band was orderly. At last Mr. Boyd went to Frank. Frank explained to Mr. Boyd that lie had been thinking of moving his band to another part of the town, but that he was interested in buying a certain strip in the Jackson block site.- Boyd saw the plot, but trom-bone-crazy, he forgot his jealousy and sold the property for its true value, $5,000. I In return for the deed, Frank received from Thomas Henry $15,000, as per agreement. Frank’s ledger read: “Received fee, SI,OOO. Profit, $10,000.’ The band removed to Its old quarters, but marched the following Sunday In new uniforms. Then the cash account in Frank’s ledger was credited with SSOO, charged to personal account. With the SSOO Frank purchased a solitaire for Florence.

Taking No Risks.

An M. P. who had to speak in a northern town traveled up from London the night before, taking only a small handbag with him. The train was very late th arriving, and the M. P. engaged a room at the first hotel he came across. Ar servant showed him his room and, after shuffling a bit said: “Please, sir, my Instructions are, when a man hasn’t any luggage to ask him to pay in advance.” “But I’ve got luggage!” said the M. P-, indignantly, pointing to the little handbag. “I know, sir," said the servant sternly? “But you’ve stayed too long on that already I" —London Answers.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

What Can We Do?

There Is no time to lose now If Christmas boxes to the soldiers In France are to have a chance to arrive on time. They should all be ready for the last of October. The Red Cross will co-operate with individuals in getting Christmas gifts delivered at the right time. Boxes should not be large or heavy and nothing that is perishable is to be put in them. This does not exclude candies or “smokes” or other luxuries that will not spoil. Probably the most appreciated present from home will be these things, along with a' lot of kodak pictures of the folks at home or an illustrated letter, the longer the better. Comic illustrations are the best, of all. Stationery makes a good gift and knitted garments —sox and more sox — among them, insure comfort. The boys want cheerful letters from home—they are a long way off and will just naturally be a little homesick occasionally. The Red Cross suggests that Christmas bags be made of gay cretonnes or of brown or blue denim or other heavy cottons, with cutout figures appropriate to the season applied to them, such as Christmas trees, reindeers, holly wreaths and candles. These can be cut from printed cottons or other materials. - Besides the bags she made for her

Ribbons in Afternoon Gowns

Many things are premeditated and by several authorities in style, all acting together, to create a fashion. Others just happen when some original and independent designer has an Inspiration and works it out without regard to what other designers are doing. Once presented a good idea is seized and made much of and this is what has happened this season in the ribbon-trimmed, gowns. Some one used wide brocaded ribbon In a stunning matron-of-honor gown, and wide moire ribbon to drape the net dress of a debutante, and set the ball rolling. Now afternoon as well as evening dresses employ ribbons in their clever makeup. A beautiful afternoon dress in which plain satin ribbon plays the most Important part, shows what a good designer has done with this idea. Over a brown satin r.underdress a bodice and tunic of brown crepe-geor-gette nre trimmed with ribbon bands and plaitings. The underdress is almost entirely veiled by a full panel of crepe, gathered at the top, which hangs to the bottom of the skirt where It is caught in a pretty drapery. The tunic is not so long. It is finished at the bottom with wide satin ribbon laid In plaits. At the top of the tunic another band of wide ribbon is plaited and between the top and bottom are three bands of narrow ribbon applied to the crepe. The plaited band at the top extends above the waistline and parallel rows of machine-stitching form the definition of the waist and a narrow standing frill over the bodice. The cuffs are managed, in the same

own, who are at the front, each woman will wish to do something toward remembering soldiers who may not have people to do a bit for them. There are so many inexpensive gifts that can be made at home. Among them the small portfolios of demln or kahkl or of bright cretonne, are among the best of gifts. Rifle mits, scarfs and wristlets. and of course sox, along with sweets, and tobacco, take little time to get readj'.

Save That Skirt That’s Spotted.

If a skirt is worn across the front, or if you have been unlucky about spotting it, a panel and belt of contrasting, materials will often make an old skirt new, says a writer in the Woman’s Home Companion. When the skirt is of plain material, the contrasting can be a stripe, and will be specially smart If the panel Is cut crosswise. Plain materials can be used where the skirt material is faney. In a suit, collar and cuffs of the contrast will make an attractive addition. Then, of course, if you can match the materials, there is always that possibility, though in these days matching seems abnost Impossible.

way. They are made of the wide ribbon plaited and stitched to form a frill about the hand and a plaited flounce over the forearm. Small buttons, covered with the same ribbon, finish the cuffs and are placed at each side of the small panel of embroidery at the front of the waist. Two narrow bands of ribbon, applied to the crepe extend over the shoulders and between these two, similar bands cross the bodice above the waistline at the front.

Child’s Hat.

Decidedly original and charming is a child’s model in tete de negre, with a wreath of diminutive mushrooms In natural colors. Close fitting cloche shapes are still to be seen, and these show little adornment, beyond the originality of their making. -4—--This usually takes the form of rows of ribbon or strips of silk, drawn to the required shape 1 ; a ruche of narrow ribbon suffices, with occasionally a liny wreath of futurist blossoms set above it, while long hanging ends provide a graceful finish.

The Hat-Brim.

Artists will tell any woman that she needs a brim to shade her eyes if she 1? over thirty years old. This jg an artistic axiom that is broken by thousands of women over fifty years old. and yet it is a safe statement by which to stand. <

Gales of GOTHAM and other CITIES

New York Club’s Aim Is Reformation of Felons NEW YORK. —There are various classes of clubs in this city, ranging all the way from those with purposes strictly political to those whose alm appears to be nothing more serious than giving a dance and dinner once a year.

Perhaps- the most novel club In New York is the Rodgers Loyal club In Fifteenth street, with a membership of between three and four hundred men and boys between the ages of sixteen and thirty, every one of whom has done time in the reformatories for offenses sufficiently serious to bring them Into the crutches of'the poHce. This club was organized by Henry 8. Rodgprs, the chief parole agent of this city. The members of this unusual

association “chip In” 25 cents a month for the maintenance of a relief fund for men and boys who come out of prison practically "broke,” and each year every member is required to report at least one bona fide employer who has room for a man or boy. When a prisoner Is released from a reformatory he is given $lO, but out of this he must pay his railroad fare to his destination. Consequently he lands in this city with but a few dollars and but little chance of obtaining a position quickly; and when his funds become exhausted he naturally returns to crime to supply his needs. The club is on the lookout for just such fellows. They take him into the organization, thereby giving him the human comradeship which a man or boy most needs when he leaves the dark, gray walls, see that his Immediate wants are supplied from the fund and obtain for him a place at the earliest possible opportunity. If a member of the club learns of an opening he promptly notifies Mr. Rodgers, who does his best to land the boy or man In the vacancy. This system Is working out well and hundreds of young men have thereby obtained places which they have filled with credit, who, without the club’s assistance, might have had to walk the streets until they again resorted to evil ways. Each member Is responsible for the person he places in a position, and he sees to It that his protege goes straight.

Soldier Went to Right Place to Get Mending Done DETROIT. —Artlessly as a little boy coming to mother to have his play-torn knickers mended, a young chap In khaki entered the headquarters of the National League for Woman’s Service, thrusting two fingers through holes In

where the machine stitching had come loose, and the little khaki cloth bugle—was fraying at the edges. For he was the bugler of the Thirty-third Michigan from one of the companies stationed at Fort Wayne and, haying been In need of a little womanly attention, had taken the name of the league “for woman’s service” at Its word. "You know I can’t do any mending myself,” he explained apologetically, “because I haven’t a comfort kit Lots of fellows In our company haven’t any I haven’t a sweater, either,” he announced, as he glanced around the room where knitted garments of khaki and gray wool are always in evidence. “Well, you’re going to Waco soon, aren’t you, where you’ll, not need a sweater?” said a league member. ’ "Oh, but we could use sweaters down at the fort these chilly nights all right,” he answered, and the woman was ashamed of having appeared to doubt In return for having his mending done, the soldier sat down and affixed ptamps to a bundle of letters. He was further rewarded by the gift of a sweater and a comfort kit. _ “We’ve been told that some of the soldiers sell the sweaters and kits that ere given them,” said Miss Helen E. Keep, Michigan state chairman of the league, “but when a young fellow is frank enough to come in and ask to be fixpd up, we’re willing to take a chance.

Embryo Soldier Brought His Overalls Along SANSAS ClTY.—Slightly early for the arrival of the members of the district draft appeal board, but in time to greet the incoming clerks was an Atchison county drafted man. He appeared at the board room In the

federal building with a small bundle under his arm and a smile on his face. About six feet two, muscular and altogether about as happy a prospect for a Sammy as any recruiting officer could wish, he fairly radiated good humor about the room while clerks Were dusting off the desks preparatory - M the day’s work. Someone asked if anything could t,e done for him. Again he smiled. A big hand dived into overalls pocket

and brought forth a notice that the Atchison county young man had been certified by his local, board to the district board. Did he desire to make an appeal? No, he did not (Indignantly). Did he have an Industrial claim for exemption that he wanted to present? Most certainly not (frowns replacing smiles). Silence ensued while clerks busied themselves again. Then someone ventured a question as to what the Atchison county young man wanted. The bundle under the muscular right arm was placed oni atable. —The" big frame of the big man leaned forward; earnestly the voice reported: “Well, I’m here and I’m ready to start training for this fighting businesssee? Just thought I’d come to town and get an early start for camp. Heard that overalls were in style up at camp and that’s what I been a-wearing’ for a long time- Got an extra shirt along and the sooner you start me to work tils better.** * ' ~ —-V - - ■ ~~ The man was sent home by the board, who told him that he would be called in due time.

Gotham Cops “Threatened” With Wrist Watches NEW YORK. —Wrist watches for New York policemen? Blessed memories of Rhinelander Waldo and “Big Bill” Devery, what is the force going to do if it has to don wrist watches? Vast excitement has been caused in police

officers wear wrist watches without in any way detractthg from thelr manliness. “Yes,” he admitted, as he held up one enormous hand to halt northbound traffic and beckoned on a iong line <rf cross-town trucks, "but some army officers I see around'town are carrjinjj swagger sticks, too. Are they going to have us drop the nightstick for the swagger stick? Well loefc fine covering the East side gashouse districts at night with these dinky little canes' Why, every gang;on the beat would be'waiting for you to beat you up. on the wrist watch for mine. When they pst that rule into effect I gu*ss Hl ask to be retired. I’m old enough for it and I gueaa Fcan’t keep ujp with all these new wrinkles.”

’a pocket of his trousers and asked if he could get a needle and thread to sew them up. He explained that they had been burned in his pocket by a cigarette. He chanced to approach a very motherly sort of a person, and the twc managed to have a glorious time. Mrs. E. O. Mullant sewed the holes in the pocket, then the soldier asked to have the buttons onhis shirt fastened more securely, and as a last request pointed woefully to the insignia on his sleeve,

circles by reason of this rumor, which seems to have originated in the Tenderloin. “It won’t be so bad for some of these here rookies,” said one big. burly policeman, a survivor of the palmy days of “Big Bill” Devery. the "best police chief New York ever had.” "since they have got more or less ► used to that sort of thing. But what - are us fellows who remember the copa as thohwere. In the old days goinrlp do?” He was reminded that all army