LIMPY STRUCK OIL
By BELLE MATTISON LOWRIE.
(Copyright, 1914, by W. 3. Chapman.)
"Rather grueBome work, I should
fancy," observed Mr. Ronald Dare.
"I cannot see how you can ever
smile or speak above a whisper with
such ominous surroundings," supple
mented Miss Eva Dare, sister of the
first speaker, with a pretty little
Shiver of dread.
She drew slightly closer to Brock
Wilton as she spoke, and he was
pleased with this appeal to his pro
tection thrilled, too, at the presence
of that bright young face and the ten
der spirit that Inspired It with truth
fulness and trust
"Dynamite Is harmless as flour when
handled Judiciously," explained Brock,
and went on to tell the visitors of the
plant, of its uses and power. When
they had departed he cast a lingering
look after the graceful young woman
who seemed really concerned In his
unpleasant environment Then, sigh
ling deeply as though over the sepul
ture of a faded hope, he returned to
jthe little stone building of which he
liad been given charge.
The Vulcan company quarried a
iform of tungsten and ground It In
'their great mill for distribution to a
large clientele. Brock had studied
chemistry and had secured his pres
ent position about a year ago. His
duty was to keep up the stock and
hand it out for use, and to make analy
ses of the various mill funs.
The position did not pay a very
princely salary, but Brock was glad
to accept It. He had come from the
city, where he was working his way
through a medical Bcbool, to find his
father and mother In a deplorable con
dition. There had been traces of oil
discovered In the district, and his
'father had caught the speculative
fever. Brock found that he had ex
pended all his money and had run
.deeply in debt to have a well dug on
the little barren farm tract. Half the
proposed boring work done, the old
man's funds had given out, oil finding
prospects generally had receded, and
Brock had to pitch in to save his fa
ther's credit and support the fam
ily. Poorly paid, the plant on a tread
mill system with Its manager a tyro,
Brock felt that it would be hopeless
to continue the pleasant friendly ac-
Llmpy Ted Had "Struck Oil."
quatntnnceshlp of Miss Dare, the
daughter of a comparatively wealthy
man. He sat musing over the situa
tion when there came a messenger from
the main office of the plant.
."Mr. Boyd, the manager, wishes to
see you," the newcomer Informed
Brock, who closed and locked the door
of the powder house and was soon In
the presence of his employer, whom
he found pacing the floor of his lux
uriously furnished office in rather a
distracted way.
"Wilton," spoke the manager In his
accustomed sharp and mandatory
voice, "do you recall reporting a miss
ing package of dynamite last week?"
"Perfectly," assented Hrock. "Some
one sneaked Into the powder house
while I was buBy with the men, and I
missed a 60-pound package of the ex
plosive an hour later."
No trace of the thief?"
"None. I canuot see why any one
should steal dynamite, certainly none
of our men, for they have all they
need to use legitimately."
"Do you think this connects with
the theft?" suddenly and rather anx
iously Inquired the manager.
As he spoke he extended a soiled,
creased fragment of paper to Brock
Across Us face In pencil was scrawled
the words:
"1 got the dlnlmlt. look ut! I'm
going to get evln."
"I found that pushed under the
door of my office, first thing this
taornlng," explained Boyd. "What do
.you think of It?"
"A crank or a sensation monger, 1
phould say," replied Brock. "I would
(pay no attention to It."
j "But I fear that the dynamite and
jthe threat connect," said the man
ager. "You know some of the em
ployees we have discharged from time
to time have been surly, menacing and
vicious."
"But nothing ever came of It," sub
mitted Brock. "1 will keep this In
mind, though, and pursue an Investi
gation." J That afternoon at quitting time, u
1 homeward-bound Brock was passing
a drinking resort, hoots and thj
sight of a struggling figure attracted
his attention.
A ragged, wretched looking man
was battling off a swarm of rough tor
mentors. They had pinned a card to
his coat with "Kick me!" scrawled
upon It, had thrown the cap of the
poor fellow into a watering trough,
and had bundled him about until he
was half frantic, tearing his thin,
threadbare clothing and tripping him
over Into the mud of the street.
In a flash Brock recognized him
as Llmpy Ted, a half-witted fellow
whose father had been employed at'
the plant, and had met with a fatal
accident in Its service. The company
had given his widow a niggardly in
demnity. When it was used up she
demanded that the company give her
son work. This they did, but Llmpy's'
erratic spirit could not come under
the working system and they were
forced to discharge him. After that
Llmpy hung around the works, the
butt of the workmen. Some idle loi
terers had been baiting him Just now.
"You miserable scum!" shrieked the
frenzied Llmpy. "You don't know
what's coming, I'll get even with you
and the works, see if I don't!"
"Shame on you, men!" cried Brock,
rushing forward and rescuing Llmpy
from his tormentors. The crowd drew
back abashed, for they respected
Brock, who soothingly led Llmpy away
from the scene and arranged his dis
ordered attire, bought him a new cap
at the nearest store, and gave him a
little change.
His extreme kindness broke down
all the resentment In Llmpy's nature.
His mood had changed and he was
sobbing out his gratitude.
"You're a good friend,", he said.
"I won't hurt you, If I do the rest."
"Hurt nobody, Llmpy," ' advised
Brock. "In a day or two I'll try to get
you some work. Stay away from the
mill and forget all about your
wrongs."
"You're a true friend, and I'll try,"
pledged Llmpy brokenly and wandered
away.
It was two hours later when Brock
and his parents were startled by a
vast rumbling of the earth and a
frightfully detonating explosion.
"What was that?" gaBped Mrs. Wil
ton in terror.
"Over in the direction 'of the old
oil well " began her husband, but
Brock was out of the house and rush
ing excitedly in the direction indi
cated before he could complete the
sentence.
Less than three hundred yards of
progress accomplished, Brock came
across a forlorn, staggering figure. It
was Llmpy Ted. His face was grimed--and
one side of it was bleeding.
"Why, Llmpy!" exclaimed Brock.
"I did it!" croaked Llmpy. "You
were good to me, so I got rid of the
dynamite." '
"What dynamite?" questioned the
puzzled Brock.
"That I stole from the powder
house. I was going to blow up the
whole plant with It. But after your
kindness to me I was afraid I might
hurt you. So I put temptation out of
the way by dropping the stuff down
that old well. It went off and nearly
caught me "
"Hark!" cried Brock.
A swishing, surging unfamiliar
'sound struck his hearing. He ran
forward to come in sight of the old
well. Straight up in the air fully
eighty feet a great spreading spray
was shooting Llmpy Ted had "struck
oil!" The dynamite had completed
the work of the drill, and the WlltonB
were rich.
So rich that they provided for Llmpy
Ted comfortably for the rest of his
life. Richer than the Dares even, and,
on a social basis now equal to that of
the woman he loved, Brock Wilton did
not hesitate to ask Eva to become his
wife.
The Crop Situation.
Now that the hints on the husband
ing of food have been scattered
broadcast, one Is reminded of those
old days when watchful care was
necessary to be exerclBed to make:
it go the round of the harvests. In the
sixteenth century, for instance, a lean
year hioant sacrifices for all. A great
scarcity of victuals 1l the seasons1
of 1562 and 1563 prompted a typical!
move of the authorities of England.!
Parliament then stepped in and or-'
dered all persons of whatever degree
to thresh their corn and dispose of It
at once. Disobedience meant confisca
tion. Any stack found standing In the,
middle of July became the property of
the government. An act thus put In'
force held good until succeeding harv-:
ests had balanced Btocks. In addition,1
the authorities looked to the welfarej
of Mr coming crop. A miscreant who1
maimed a beast, broke a plow or de
stroyed growing corn was liable to a
death punishment.
HI Stock In Trade.
The nervous little man next to the
car window sized up the fat man who
shared the seat with htm and ventured
the Inquiry:
"How's business?"
"Can't complain," said the other la
conically. "Whnt do you deal In?" ;
"Mother-;n-laws, billy goats, the
weather, slit skirts, tramps, stranded
actors, candidates, politics and the
like."
"Whattyye tryln' to do?" snarled the
nervous little man. "Tryln' L kid
meT i
"Nope," the fat man grinned. "The'
things I have named In a large meas-!
ure comprise my stock in trade. You!
ee, my dear sir, I am a professional;
writer, of Joker and anecdotes."!
Youngstown Telegram. '
I
GUING
MARKET
Automobile Smashes Wagon But
the Amateur Driver Comes
Out Winner.
By DONALD ALLEN.
There was a whooping and shout
ing. "Good lands, but what Is that!" ex
claimed Aunt Minerva Johnson, as she
stood at the kitchen sink washing the
breakfaBt dishes.
"It must be Uncle Joe," replied her
niece, MIbs Jennie Waldron, as she
stood wiping the said dishes.
"Run to the door and see If the barn
has fallen on him."
"He's a-flghting wasps," replied the
girl as she looked out.
"I told him yesterday not to med
dle with their nests, but he's gone and
done it What's he doin' now?"
"Running through the currant
bushes."
"And now?"
"He's licked them off with a hat,
but he's been stung."
"Serves him right," and she went
to the door. "Joseph Johnson, have
you been foolin' with them wasps?"
"They pitched Into me as I was
goln' to harness the boss," was the
reply.
"And have you been stung?"
He came to the Bteps and showed
three great lumps on his face.
"Well, that settles it," walled the
wife, as she turned about and dropped
into a chair.
Miss Jennie got some vinegar for
Uncle Joe to apply to his stings, and
then returned to the aunt.
"I wouldn't feel so bad about it."
"But he was going to drive into the
village, and now he can't."
"He can tomorrow."
"But he was goln' to take butter
and eggs and 'taters, and bring back
tea, sugar and coffee. We are out of
all of 'em."
"But we can get along."
"Drat the pesky luck!" exclaimed
the aunt as she flourished the dish
cloth. "Me'n you was to go, but I
run a tack Into my foot and am hob
bling around like an old lame hen.
Now Joseph has got stung, and can't
go, and it seems as if I never wanted
a cup of tea so bad in my life. He
ought to have his old'ears boxed."
"If I could drive a horse " began
Miss Jennie doubtfully.
"Y-e-s. Say, I believe you could.
Old Peter Is as gentle as a lamb,
and he knows the way to town and
back as well as I do. You simply
hold the lines and he will go right
along. A baby could drive him."
"But If I meet a team on the way?"
"You pull on the right hand line
and give half the road."
"And when we get there?"
"Oh, Somers, the storekeeper, will
come out and hitch Peter for you
and carry In the things. He will also
see you started for home all right."
"It looks easy," said Miss Jennie.
"It's easier than malting a pie-crust.
You've been comln' down here three
or four times a year for the last five
years, and It's cur'us that we never
taught you to drive."
Well, I'll learn now."
'And you'll do fine. I believe this
foot will be well by the time I drink
two cups of tea."
Uncle Joe harnessed old Peter to
the one-horse wagon. What he
thought of the venture he didn't say.
He knew he should hear more from
his wife about those wasps. When
things were ready the horse started
off at a Jog, and after the first mile
Miss Jennie had full confidence In
herself. In going a mile and a half
she met two teams. She was some
what doubtful whether she should pull
on the right or the left line, and bo
she pulled neither, but let Peter Jog
along In the middle of the road. The
other two travelers hauled out Into
the ditch and didn't Bay a word.
Then the amateur driver heard an
auto coming up behind. She looked
back and saw that It was a young
man driving It.
Was It the right line she was to
pull In this case?
Or the left?
Or was she to Increase Peter's
speed, or to stop him dead still?
She didn't remember whether her
aunt had told her that an auto was
entitled to only half the road or all
outdoors, and her confusion was
heightened by the honking of the
horn.
Nothing at all was done on her
part, but the autolst thought there
was room to pass, and he tried It on.
Rip! Smash! Crash!
A hind wheel of the wagon was
torn off, and the girl and butter and
eggs and potatoes were rolled in the
dust. Peter was turned around to
face the other way, but at his steady
old age he wasn't going to make mat
ters worse.
The autotst stopped his machine
within a few feet, and came running
back. "It was all my fault, and I'm
awfully sorry! Are you at all hurt?"
"Aren't you a very careless young
man?" asked Miss Jennie.
"I may be, but I guess I thought
you would give me a little more of
the road."
"Here li everything spoiled, and I
was going to market!"
"But don't say a word. I'll fix It
all right"
And tht young man took Peter from
the shafts and beaded him down the
road, knowing that he would turn at
the right farm. Then he drew the
rreck into the ditch, saying: "I'll
have the wagon maker coma out and
get It and make It better than new."
"But I was going to market," peN
slsted the girl.
"You were going to trade those
things at the store, yen mean?"
"Yes."
"Well, you get right in the auto.
I am going to the vlllaga It's for
me to pay cash for what I've de
stroyed. I am rejoiced that you were
not hurt, but I'm willing to pay for
the nervous shock I gave you. That
is, your father won't have to sue me
for damages."
Miss Jennie made no reply. The
suddenness of the thing had stunned
her, and the young man had a very
taking way with him. He was hand
dling the Incidents as if the like had
occurred twice a day the week
through. Should she let him buy the
things on the list aunty had made
out? No? Then she must return
home without the tea, and that was
being especially waited for. YesT He
had been very careless.
"She's no country maiden," mused
Egbert Chester, as the machine
clipped along. ;
"He's from the city, sure," mused
Miss Jennie.
When the village was reached he
said: "You can remain here in the
auto, because I'm going to take you
back where you are stopping. Please
give me that list and I'll have Mr.
Somers hustle."
"Two pounds of shugar," Mrs. John
son had started the list with. The
young man ordered ten pounds with
out any "h" in It.
"One-quar' pound of tea" became
one pound.
"One pound of Rio coffee" became
four pounds of Mocha and Java.
There were other things on the list
and they were multiplied by three.
When the girl saw the heaping basket
she called out in alarm: "Why, Uncle
Joe never runs In debt a penny's
worth!"
"Oh, they are paid for," laughed
the buyer.
"But there's so much."
"I must get even for the nervous
shock, you know."
The old horse Peter had Jogged his
way home as sedately as if nothing
had happened. Mrs. Johnson was the
first to catch sight of him as he turned
into the lane, and she ran to the door
and screamed at Uncle Joe, who was
digging potatoes:
"Come here! Come on the run!"
"What is it?" he asked as he ar
rived. "There Is old Peter, but where is
Jennie!"
"Why why, she must have Jumped
out!" he stammered.
"She's killed stone dead, I tell you,
and you are to blame for It. I told
you to let them wasps alone. Yes, the
dear girl Is dead, and we haven't a
grain of tea In the house."
They had put Peter In his stall and
walked down the highway a quarter
of a mile to look for the wreck of
the wagon when they espied an auto
coming.
"Gosh all fishhooks!" gasped Uncle
Joe.
"Do you see- her dead body?" was
asked by the weeping wife.
"No, but I see her live one."
It was a joyous reunion and what
helped to make It so was the
part Mr. Chester took. He "took" to
the old folks at once to Peter, to
the farm and to the dinner he was In
vited to, and did stay, too. When he
had departed, after boldly saying that
he should call again to learn If that
"shock" had serious consequences,
Aunt Minerva said to her niece:
"Just think of it, Jennie. We run
out of tea, sugar and coffee. I step
on a tack and can't drive to town.
Joseph fools with a lot of wasps and
gets all bunged up. You start out to
go, and one of your hind wheels is
taken off and you meet a feller who
buys me a whole pound of tea to
once! Don't tell me that Providence
don't watch over folks that are good
and heap up the measure when sell
in' 'taters!"
And after a minute Uncle Joe add
ed: "And If I was Jennie; I'd say 'yes'
qulcker'n scat when he comes to pop
the question."
(Copyright, 1914, by the McClure Newspa
per Syndicate.)
Real "Davy Sweeting."
"Davy Sweeting," whose real name
was James Chesterfield Bradley, one
of the famous trio of curates who fig
ure In "Shirley," died recently In Rich
mond, England, In his ninety-fifth year,
according to the London Morning Post.
Charlotte Bronte denied that the char
acters in "Shirley" were literal por
traits; but that they were based on
existing persons has been proved be
yond doubt The three curates were
painted with a vigorous brush, and
"Davy Sweeting" alone passed un
scathed through the ordeal.
Although not averse to talking about
the Brontes, Mr. Bradley never con
tributed much to the general stock of
knowledge about them. He spoke free
ly, however, of the high esteem In
which the much maligned curates
were held, and. of the conscientious
manner In which they discharged their
duties.
He passed a long and happy time
among his people at Sutton-under-Brallea,
and passed the years of his re
tirement In serene contentment at
Richmond, In Surrey.
Impressionable,
First Yegg Handsome Hal has
broken away from many a copper, but
they've landed him at last -
Second Yegg Overpowered him.
eh?
First Yegg Not exactly. The de
partment sent a handsome policewom
an after him and he couldn't resist
her. Judge.
Trim Visiting Dress
NOT startllngly new in style, but de
lightfully effective, this trim after
noon gown of panne velvet shows an
adaptation of modes to material that
commends It to the woman of taste.
The use of the new fur-cloths, light
Weight plushes and long-napped panne
Velvets In entire dresses is an innova
tion which furnishes novelty enough
for those who value It above all else.
The. bodice and Bleeves of the model
appear to be cut in one, although the
sleeves are long and close fitting about
the forearm. They taper to the wrist
and extend In a rounded point over the
hands. A ruffle of the material,
doubled, finishes the edges of the
bodice at the front and across the
back. In many dresses of napped or
lie fabrics narrow borders of fur
re used for finishing edge3.
The upper part of the skirt is set on
o the bodice, overlapping the front
and extending up in a square tab at
For Motoring in
STIMULATED by that Bpeclal in
spiration which seems to come to
the help of the designer of trousseaus,
the maker of the motor bonnet and
coat pictured here has distinguished
himself. All brides, and other fair
ladles, who elect to go a-motoring in
crisp weather, will only need to copy
this cold-weather outfit to assure
themselves of comfort One need not
look twice to see how very attractive
it is.
The Leavy, enveloping coat of sib
ellne is cut on rather straight lines,
flaring enough to be roomy and ample.
The straight sleeves are large enough
to be easily slipped on, and finished
with turnback cuffs and a, huge ob
long bone button. The wide, square
collar is arranged to button up about
the neck and roll over, or to He flat
over the shoulders, according to the
desire of the wearer. The coat fastens
a little to one side of the front with
large bone buttons.
There is a good range of heavy
cloths to choose from for coats of this
Character. It includes boucle cloth.
fx ' ' lV& N
of Panne Velvet
i r -" v '"'ft
I it ' f '::
the left side. At the bottom this upper
part of the skirt Is hemmed In a wide
hem. The lower part is cut separately
and set on under the hem. This
makes a one-piece garment with the
effect of a short tunic, and shapes the
skirt prettily to the figure.
The very wide, crushed girdle Is
made of the same material as the
dress and tacked about it below the
waist line. It fastens in with the
bodice at the left side.
A double ruffle of plaited lace fills
In the neck, and frills of the same
finish the sleeves.
The gown Is In taupe color, worn
with patent leather shoes having tan
cloth tops, and a black velvet turban.
A long ornamental bar pin Is fastened1
below the bosom.
For materials, the body of plush
and velvet, simple and trim lines,,
should be exacted of the modiste.
JULIA BOTTOM LEY.
Crisp Weather
Ural lamb, chinchilla and fancy mix
tures. The ready-made garments em
body more style and are cut on sim
pler lines than has been the rule for
several seasons. One cannot expect to
get better results In a made-to-order
coat than those to be found In the dis
plays of reliable houses shnwlnr mn.
tor and sports coats.
Heavy cloths, plushes, satin and
novelty weaves are used for motor
bonnets. Practically all of them have
soft puffed crowns. That In the picture
la of satin, with warm interlining and
thin silk lining. At the front a lined
band of uncut velvet is trimmed in
points. A frill of plaited satin falls
like a cap about the face.
The very long chiffon veil is shirred
Into a cap that veils the satin crown.
But there Is ample length to bring the
ends over the face, around the neck,
and to tie them in front, so affording
ample protection.
Braid and button ornaments make
just the right finish for this excep
tionally fine motor bonnet
JU IA EOTTOMLKY. j