Judge — December 1936 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

HOLIDAY THE PLEASANT faced little man smiled affably at the big, gruff looking man seated next to him. Er—excuse litely. The big man frowned. Then, placing his hands heavily upon his knees, he turned sideways. “Look here,” he said, speaking slowly and deliberately, “you don’t know me, do you?” Why—er—no,” replied the man, looking somewhat startled. “No,” returned the big man. “You don't. And I don’t know you, What is more, I am not aware that the fact of my not knowing you has caused any ach. ing void in my life. I have rubbed along fairl me—" he began po- little well without you so far, and I think there is every prospect of my con. tinuing to do so.” “But—" began the little man. The big man frowned again, raised an admonitory hand “Listen to me,” he said brusquely. “T won't keep you long. I just want to put you wise to one or two points. It will save you a lot of breath and me a lot of trouble. “First of all, let me say that I travel a good deal on trains, and I have made it a rule not to enter into idle conver. sation with my fellow-passengers. Expe- and rience has taught me that there is noth- ing to gain by discussing the weather or the holidays with a man just because he happens to share the same railway seat with me. Therefore I don’t do it.” “Yes, but—" interrupted the little man desperately. “Please don’t interrupt,” said the big man firmly, “I have neatly finished.” At this juncture a shrill whistle sounded. A quiver and it shot the jerked The littke man shrugged his shoulders and then leaned back comfortably in his seat through train slowly into motion "You were saying?” he prompted, a gestion of polite indifference in his sug tone. The big man scowled. “LT have already wasted some time talking to you,” he went on. The little man nodded with a sudden enthusiasm, but did not speak But I don’t intend to waste any more,” continued the big man frigidly. 23 SPECIAL I have a newspaper with me which I purchased for the express purpose of reading during this journey. | know my and I feel, newspaper don't know you any reflection on you, that I am better occu- pied in acquainting myself with the Therefore I without casting views of my newspaper than in hearing any views you may happen to hold.” He paused, and looked significantly at the litthe man. “IT think,” he con. cluded, “that will be all.” The little man smiled apologetically and produced a book from his overcoat pocket “Not quite all,” he said respectfully. “Before you settle yourself too com. pletely, kindly allow me a word. ain that your remarks on the And, secondly, I may observe that, standing behind you in the line at the ticket of- fice some time ago, I heard you buy ticket to Boston.” He dreamily, “Purely as a matter of interest,” he “First of all allow me to ex I heartily endorse subject of railroad conversation. paused and smiled added, “I would point out that this train is scheduled to travel to Washington, first stop Philadelphia.” And nodding pleasantly, the litle man settled himself more comfortably in his seat and opened his book. vue Our big stores certainly offer variety at Christmas time, what with Santa Claus at one end of the store and the credit manager at the other. comicbooks.com