Judge — December 8, 1923 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Buying Mary’s Christmas Gilt by Ernest F. Hubbard ARY WAS a sweet girl and T deter- mined to buy her something she would always remember. By December I had i 0, so I went into a large cathedral on Fifth avenue, with an elderly banker in the pulpit and aff of ministers in new suits prowling about the floor. I decided I might go as high as $250. I could borrow the $50 somewh A middle-aged sexton and undertaker approached. He wore a small mustache and had just combed his hair. T said I would i tion about neckl “Will you speak louder, sir?” he said. I repeated my request. “What do you wish to know, si some informa- He swung on his heel and walked “What natured boor!” I thought, and started to go out. Then he ¥ turned. y he said. TS I walked quickly after him. Sudden- ly he doubled and stopped, facing the wall. I looked up into his face, determine that he should not get aw from me again. A door in the wall slid open and he stepped back. I thought it foolish to ring for an or and then not go in. “Step in, si id. I stepped in, and the door closed behind us. “A handsome clevator,” I remarked, feeling more at ease. He looked at me coldly and said nothing. The elevator stopped and the door opened, I waited to see what he would di ay “he s tep out, sir” he said. I stepped out. Thad never seen so many dia- monds before. He walked across the floor and T followed, on my Then he opened the door “About $400.7 Tan swered faintly. He closec toes. arg ll TR the of a case with a the cases and mt fine free arm walked _ briskly swing. He opened off as though he , were — through \ with me. This Th time I watched ie closely to see what he would do. “Follow me,” he said over his shoulder and of course I followed him, We took the elevator again and got out at another floor. He glided between thi cases like a man on roller skates. After a time came to a containing some lengths of narrow grosgrain ribbon. He picked up a piecc “This one is another and another, after which he stood erect with his heels together and looked at me. T salute “Do you care for any of these, sir?” he said, waving a hand at the shining articles in the case. I picked up quite a nice one and noted the tiny price tag. It said $1,050. Brushing off a speck of dust. I set it down again. My voice was quite steady. I said: “Have you something less expensive “These are the less expensive ones,” he said. “What price do you care to hep we case : he said. Then T noticed a tiny glitter at the lower end of the loop. ave you" T began. “This is the cheapest we have,” he said harshly. So T went home and wrote a letter to Mary It read as follows: My Dear Mary: You must have noticed that there is no longer the perfect harmony et between us that has made our friendship so i rautiful in’ the past. Under the eircum- ¥ ¢ stances there is nothing to do but say good: 7 by. As Lama man of and irrevocable decision it will be useless for you to writ Farewell. Chavpr. Thought myself a gold-headed cane for $150, and went to a burlesque show on Christmas eve. Just. think tting twenty-five ors, did you ers in New York iMlars a day.” at | “We appreciate the wild flowers which have been left for us.” announces |) \ the editor of the Phinkville Palladium, \ . / “but would also like to hear from some x x / citizens who have been killing hogs.” \ x sat 4 “Don’t pester the people : , too much with petty laws,” ‘ } says old Uncle Pennywise. “That hoss of mine doesn’t bother at all / about his liberty, but \ he kicks hardata fly.” &q a a @ \ ‘ Drawn by HEEMAN Paton Santa Claus is broadcast Christmas Eve—and the original receiving set. 12 comicbooks.com