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About Vernonia eagle. (Vernonia, Or.) 1922-1974 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1947)
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS Kona Morris Workman Boulder Camp Dallas, Oregon I have been trying to remember a quotation: "Something-or-other makes strange bedfellows”. May be the word ‘proverty’ but it could certainly be ‘A night bus-trip’, for you can never be sure with whom you will be sleeping. Or, to be more exact, with whom you will be trying to sleep. A bus is one of our most democratic institutions. Your sleeping pard- ner for the night may be white, brown or red. Anything is pos sible; an Indian in a beaded vest, a gypsy with gold rings in his ears and a bold and roving eye, a tall guant snuff-chewing wo man from the Ozarks, or a ‘wide- sitting’ red-cheeked matron with fifteen bundles and a fat baby. You pay your money—and you take what the bus-god sends you. And certainly, as I came back from Canada, the ribald little jokester handed me one. It was a little past ‘bed-time’ in the bus. We were rolling along through the wide-open spaces, des olate under a driving rain. Only the dim red night-light was on. The garrulous girl across the aisle had curled up and was sleep ing soundly against the broad chest ed the bus at the last stop. They this joint for a week,” he an looked quite comfortable, although nounced thickly. He repeated this the fact that his mouth hung until I capitulated and asked sleep open and he wheezed somewhat ily, “What place is it?” marred the romantic appeal of the “It’s Toppenish, ma’am, in the picture. The mid-western couple behind me had finally gone to Indian Reservation.” Now anybody who is ‘three- sleep after arguing loudly as to whether or not they should phone sheets in the wind* and wants their “folks”- at two o'clock in the to keep that fact hidden, should of the young man who had board never try to say ‘Toppenish’ or morning or go to a “flop-house” ‘Reservation’. “From what I can see of it, a for the rest of the night. I am glad to report that the flop-house person could walk out in five won. The man in the back seat minutes,” I retorted, not too gent had finished his roars of laughter ly- He leaned closer and said con over his own joke, smoked the last cigarette he could ‘smooch’ from fidently, “Yes, but I didn’t wanna his travelling companions, and had walk, and they won’t let you on a quieted down to an occasional bus if you’re drunk.” I don’t know what brand he grumble and snort. I had taken off my shoes, wished for the had used but if it tasted like he hundredth time that my legs were smelled it certainly hadn’t been eighteen inches shorter and tried Haig and Haig. I yanked open to ease my girdle. (Sister: Let the window to let air in and the me warn you: DON’T EVER wear fumes out and snapped, “Well, I wouldn’t call you ex a new rubber girdle on a long bus trip. If you do, St. Lawrence on actly sober now.” Which was his gridiron or a fakir on his rude of me, and I’ll admit it. “Lady,” he returned indig bed of spikes, will have nothing over you by the end of your trip.) nantly, “Lady, I had a good father Then the bus stopped at some I had a good mother, and I little blot in the wilderness and had two good sisters. I know a man came wandering down the what I’m adoin’.” The impact of all those good aisle. The only vacant seat was the one across which I was try relatives silenced me. Who was ing to drape my long shape, so I to doubt him in the face of I removed my feet, my purse and *Such overwhelming evidence? I my shoes, and he fell into their leaned my head against the rain- lashed window and hoped he would place. go to sleep. He did—and promptly “I’ve been atrying to get out of sagged over my shoulder. I push ed him back. He muttered, tried to straighten up, went to sleep again—and once more was using me for a pillow. The Big Boss, when I recounted this affair, asserted that the pro per thing for a lady to have done was to have stopped the bus and had him put off. Maybe I’m no lady, although I'll admit that I did consider such action after about the tenth slump, but the sound of the rain and the bleak desolation outside made me more patient than I perhaps might have been had the sun been shining. Bus seats are not roomy, and even though I am as thin as a clothespole, I do not need a certain amount of space. He was ‘wide spread’ and about every ten min utes I would prod him awake and tell him that he was sitting on my skirt. If you have noticed even a thin women in these new long tight skirts, you will under stand that what I really meant was that he was sitting on me. At last, even his good nature could stand it no longer and he retorted in a dignified, injured tone, “Lady, if your skirt’s all that gets set on in a bus, you’re lucky,” and proceeded to drape himself over the back of the seat in front of him. Brother, I know when I am re buked. I lapsed into silence and ocassional naps, rousing only to THE EAGLE, VERNONIA, OREGON remove his head from my shoulder or lap and push him upright again. Thus passed the night. As we were pulling into Port land I shoved my feet into my shoes, dragged my hat from under someone's suitcase and prayed that I didn’t look more than half as awful as I felt. When the bus stopped, my "bed-fellow” rubbed the sleep from his eyes and turn ed to me. Lady', he said, “I hope I didn’t bother you none durin’ the night.” On his broad good-natured face was such an embrassed, anxious expression that the exasperation engendered during that long night resolved itself into laughter. “Bus seats are not very com fortable to sleep in, are they?” I evaded. He broke into a wide happy grin. “Lady”, he caroled, “you’ve THURSDAY, DEC. 11, 1947 7 said a mouthful.” I was still laughing as I went for a -up of coffee. After all, he could have been much worse. There was at least one recom mendation I could give him. He hadn’t snored. • Skidding accidents as a result of wet leaves, are a leading cause of injuries in urban accidents dur ing the fall months, says the Ore gon State Motor association, in urging drivers to be careful on streets covered with leaves. PAINTING INTERIOR—EXTERIOR ! I All work and material guaran teed. Prices Reasonable FREE ESTIMATES Chas. Seeberger-Contractor 856 Rose Ave. HANK'S PARTS HOUSE Formerly Lynch Auto Parts OPEN 7.30 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. We close Saturday noon and all day Sunday. IF WE HAVE’NT GOT IT, WE CAN ORDER IT FAST Phone 773 Riverview Vernonia welcomes You to a Glmslmas Brunsman Hardware and Electric Millar’s Vernonia Frigidaires and Frigidaires Electric Stoves Electric Hot Water Heaters Coleman Oil Stoves Oakland Oil Cook Stoves Guns and Ammunition Work Clothes your gift list needs by seeing This merchandise is the same price in Vernonia as in Port land, Salem, Chicago, New York or any other city or state, We invite you in our store to see these new added lines of merchandise. yonr local merchants first! i Van Heusen Shirts and Ties Hickok Belts Suspenders and Jewelry Lee Work Clothes Jantzen Sweaters Brentwood Sweaters Society Club Hats Hirsch-Weis White Stag Wembley Ties Berkshire Hose Norcross Cards Wool O’ the West Blankets Poll Parrot & SUr Brand Shoes Cameron Blouses Strutwear Lingerie WE INSURE ANYBODY OR ANYTHING Vernonia Insurance Bill J. Horn, Agent Bank Building Sam’s Food Store Frozen Foods Candy—Ice Cream Phone 761 We Deliver Al Herra’s Market » (jÛeÜëinSfàè ZM lU lIW UUaiSlJM Kfc Everything for the Home on EZ Terms at Portland Prices Your One-Stop Saving Center G. E. and Universal Appliances Furniture Armstrong Linoleum Superflame Oil Heaters for A complete line of Tools Including Shopmaster Power Tools SK & Herbrand Hand Tools Spark Oil Stoves Hotpoint Appliances Maytag Washers and Freezers Chapman Freezers MERRY CHRISTMAS Hoffman Hardware Company Affiliated with United Grocers, an Association of 250 Buyers featuring WE WELCOME THE OPPOR TUNITY TO BE OF SERVICE TO YOU DEL MONTE, LIBBY AND SHURFINE FOOD PRODUCTS 1. Checking Accounts 2. Savings Accounts 3. Safe Deposit Boxes 4. Travelers Checks 5. Bank Money Orders Courteous Treatment to Every Customer is Our Policy Vernonia Branch The Commercial Bank of Banks Vernonia, Ore. Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Deliveries Twice Daily Phone 1391 < Stanley and P & C Tools Public Service Paints American-Standard Plumbing Fixtures and Repairs « Westco Water Systems Westinghouse and Collins Appliances Collins and Plumb axes Geyer & Boy co Farm and Garden Tools Bush Furniture and Funeral Home Mill Market and Groe. Sundland Electric and Appliance Wagner’s Ice Cream on Sale at MUI Market Sam's Food Store Lew's Place Ike Dass Park Dessy's Pastime Vernonia Country Club Kullander’s Jewelry Store Vernonia Bakery Home of Butter Krust Bread Philco Radios The store that supplies your complete home food needs Columbia Diamonds Hamilton, Bulova, Elgin and Harvel Watches International Sterling Silverware Community Silverware 1847 Rogers Silverware Ronson and Regal Lighters Fresh Bakery Products Daily A COMPLETE MODERN GROCERY SERVICE FEATURING WADHAMS PRODUCTS King’s Grocery and Market FIRESTONE Tires, Batteries Auto Accessories and Home Appliances TEXACO PRODUCTS for your Car, Farm Machinery and Home Chapman’s Service We Feature These Popular Brands Standby, S and W Hudson House Preferred Stock Deliveries Daily Herrin’s Grocery Vernonia Auto Co. A Safe Place To Trade The Only One-Stop Service In Vernonia Everything from gasoline to a complete paint job on your car Budget Terms if Desired NEHALEM Dairy Products Co. Grade A Pasteurized Milk and Cream Phone 491 Phone 471 The Best for Your Table CHECK YOUR OWN STORES FIRST ON Del Monte and Hudson House Canned Foods Meats and Fresh Produce Nehalem Grocery and Market PRICES! Baby Apparel, Gifts Stationary Needlecraft Supplies The Brous Shop Ask at Home for the Merchandise You Need. Your patronage will be appreciated by local Merchants THE VERNONIA EAGLE Ask Your Local Merchants First For All Your Needs—SAVE MONEY, TIME!
