~ PICKWICK’S i PAPER By HELEN A. HOLDEN (Copyright) It was a busy time of the day. The crowd, hurrying to and fro, was too fntent on minding its own affairs to bother about ihe erratic behavior of any particular individual, Carlotta Smith was one of the throng surging past the Stanwix building. When she came opposite the wide-open door she hesitated, walked toward the entrance, but again turned and passed on down the street. Coming back, she paused once more, then hurried on. The third time there was no hesita- tion. With grim determination she approached the entrance and walked boldly in. There were three or four men who left the elevator at the thirteenth floor with Miss Smith. She envied them their knowledge of where they wanted to go. Opening off the hall, there were no less than five doors, each with the name of “Bolton Company” in gold letters, “My mother told me to take this one,” counted Carlotta. Inside, Carlotta found a girl seated behind a desk. She Invited Carlotta to wait while she went in search of Mr. Thomas Doyle. “This isn't so bad,” mused Carlotta. “I'm beginning to think I'll like it" “Mr. Doyle?’ she inquired, as % young man appeared with her card in his hand. “I am Miss Carlotta Smith.” “Glad to meet you, Miss Smith.” Her tones had convinced him that there was much behind the name. “I beg pardon, Mr. Doyle,” interrupt- ed the girl from behind the desk. wy forgot to deliver a message this morn- ing. Mr. Bolton wished you to call him up.” “Did he say when?” asked Doyle. “No,” the girl admitted reluctantly. “Then he can walt,” which was hard- company. “Please he seated, Smith.” “I came to see you—" began Carlot- ta. “1 gay, Tom, I've been hunting every- where for you." Like a hurricane a young man burst in with this announce- ment. “I beg pardon. I didn't know you were busy, but you forgot to tell me where that guaranty would most lkely to be found.” Explanations were brief, for ln a few moments Doyle returned. ~ «1 won't take you to my room, for I've been moved upstairs. A number of us have been changed about lately. We can go into Miss Glyn's room. There is no one there, so I trust we can continue uninterrupted.” “Did you say ‘Miss’ Giyn?” inquired Carlotta. . Doyle's glance followed Carlotta's to the hat-rack, on which hung a man's derby. “Oh, that might mean the general mixed-up state we're in just now. Pos- sibly a caller for Miss Giyn. That's probably it.” Doyle spoke confidently. “She has just taken him somewhere to meet some one. Take this chair, Miss Smith; you'll find it more comforta- ble.” “But,” protested Carlotta, “I know from the way it looks—" “You mean the way it's worn,” sug- gested Doyle. “Anyway,” continued Carlotta, "it's Miss Glyn's pet, particular chair. It would never do to have her find me us- ing it.” “Even her shoes are distinguished looking,” he told himself. “It seems as if I have heard her name before, Un- doubtedly, a society girl; it probably figures daily in the papers.” “1 think,” said Carlotta, “that what people say about odious agents and the way they are treated is all nonsense.” “Have you had the good fortune to meet any un-odious ones?” inquired Doyle lightly. “I mean the way you have treated me,” went on Carlotta. “I don't quite follow.” Doyle sat down suddenly. In case he had under stood, he would need support, “From what I've heard, I always thought agents had doors slammed in thelr faces, and were somet!mes—of course, In extreme cases—thrown downstairs,” continued Miss Smith, “Now, I consider I've been treated roy- ally.” Carlotta waved majestically toward the footstool. While she was speaking a man had quietly entered the room, As Doyle's attention was not again claimed, Car- lotta did not mind. Doyle was so stunned at what he had Just heard that he forgot completely his previous threats of vengeance against the next intruder, “I am an agent,” continued Carlotta, “for Plickwick's Superior Typewriting Paper.” “I never would have guessed it." The frony in Tom Doyle's voice was lost on Carlotta, who continued volubly: “You probably use Tryon's, don't you, Mr. Doyle? Really, a very inferi-, or grade. If you would once try Plck- wick's, 1 am sure you would never use anything else. Its advantages over others In ordinary use are legion. De you use Tryon's or Black's Mr, Doyle? “I don't know.” L Doyle felt as if he had been knocked down, and now was being walked on. This girl did not want him to lead the german at the coming charity balls she did net even want a subscription to something else, anything-—she was only a plain, ordinary agent. “I hoped you would be able to help me,” continued Carlotta, “I so much want to make a success of it You don't know what It means to me.” “I've a slick husband and five chil dren to support,’ ” quoted Doyle absent. mindediy. “It's not as bad as that,” replied Car lotta. “But if I could make my poor mother comfortable—" “I'll do what I can for you" broke in Doyle hastily. “Mr. Cruikshank Is the man you ought to see’ “But | don't want to see hin,” sald Carlotta. “He ls sure to be cross. Lven his name sounds so." “1 don't know shout that. 1 even know the man. 1 mean, head of that department.” “1 shouldn't like to see him,” Carlot- ta spoke decidedly. “I thought you could help m2. [I forgot to tell yon that Mr. Smith gave me your name— Mr. Morton Smith. He Is a distant rel- ative, and is interested In helping me.” “You are related to Morton Smith?” To himself Doyle added: “How In thunder does he let you do a thing like this?” “Yes: he is most anxious to see me succeed,” replied Carlotta, “1'11 do what I can” Doyle felt like a criminal. To aid and abet a girl of Miss Smith's stamp make of herself a successful agent of don't he's donable., Yet, considering the poor old mother, he must do what he could. “I'll see the cranky Crulkshank, as you call him. If I can’t urge him, I'll beat him Into accepting your paper. In one way or another, you see, I am sure to succeed.” “When shall 1 eall again?’ inquired Carlotta. “What part of the city do you can- vass tomorrow?” asked Doyle. “Around State and Pearl, 1 think." Carlotta spoke with some hesitation. “I get my luncheon near there,” sald Doyle. “lI could meet you at Lincoln park, and it would save your coming ‘way up here” “Yery well,” sald Carlotta. “You see, I've never been an agent before, so I hardly know what is customary.” As Doyle bade Carlotta good-by, he felt a deep thrill of sympathy. * . * - . - » “Ten minutes late,” was Mr. Doyle's greeting when he met Miss Smith the next day. “I hope that means you have had a successful morning.” Carlotts slowly shook her head, “I'm so sorry.” There was a world of sympathy In Doyle's voice. “And 1 have bad. news, toon.” How he hated to make Carlotta look less happy than she did when she came to meet him across the park! “Id Mr. Cruikshank live up to the reputation of his pame?” Carlotta smiled bravely as she asked the ques tion, 4 “Taking time by the forelock,™ an- swered Doyle, “I inquired for Crulk- shank as soon as you left yesterday. I was directed to the room that used to be Miss Giyn's. There, sitting at his own desk, and with his feet on his own footstool, was Hon. James Gordon Cruikshank !” “Oh!” gasped Carlotta. “He was the man who came in while we were talk- ing. He must have heard me say he was a crank, and you sald you would beat him. Is there anything lef: of you, Mr. Doyle?” “I am old Cruikshank's firm friend for life,” replied Doyle. “You bet 1 didn't think it was funny, but he seemed to get a lot of enjoyment out of it. He was such a brick in over looking the names we called him. We actually parted friends, even though he refused to take the Pickwick paper. Says he has nothing against what we are now using.” “What trials there are for agents. 1 am glad I am not a real ope,” mur mured Carlotta, “Was that agent business a joke? “Far from it,” replied Carlotta. *I} was never more serious in my life. Te begin at the beginning-—two nights ago at dinner, my father called me names He said 1 was simply a butterfiy- without more serious thoughts of the future than what frock I should wem to the next assembly. “I replied that it was all the fauli of That 1 could ever earn my own living, If it were neces sary. Of course, my father hooted a that. To make a long story short, | ended in a wager. I was to prove tr him that 1 could be self-supporting He bet I couldn't. “1 decided that becoming an agen would be quicker than anyting else From my unsuspecting cousin I got the name of Bolton company, as employ ing large numbers of typewriters. You can guess how giad I was when he casually mentioned you as a class mate. Then I went to a store and asked the name of the least used type writing paper—" “The least used?” broke in Doyle. “Of course,” sald Carlotta, “if ) had taken the most popular, the chances were that you would alread; be stocked up with it." “That is one way of doing business,’ commented Doyle. “When I reported my success last night,” continued Carlotta, “my fathe: was not at all pleased. In fact, he was quite—otherwise. 1 was so dis appointed, for I was really very proud of myself.” . “Then all that about your poor old mother was—" began Doyle. “Purely fiction,” replied Carlotta clreumstances Doyle?” “I don't want you to cut my ac quaintance by telling me it Is too sud den,” said Tom; “but I will gladly tell you as soon as you give me per mission.” . - ONE Single Garment, Well Much Service. Housewife in Smaller Towns Better Pleased With Larger Supply of Inexpensive Gowns. There are two ways of dressing In expensively. wr Samat | WILL SUIT ANY EMERGENCY | the other Is to have one one-dress method Is perhaps prefer. able for the woman who lives In a large city, for the business woman, or for the traveler. The housewife In a small town will probably do better If she hus n good many Inexpensive clothes, observes a fashion writer, and so will the young girl who mingles in a society where nobody patronizes an expensive dressmaker and extrava- gance is not looked on as a virtue. In & big city, where an economical woman Is likely to meet and mingle with persons who have much more to spend on their clothes than she has, the one-dress method has many ad- vantages. In a well-made coat sult a woman appropriately dressed for church, calling, afternoon card par- ties, teas, trips to the theater and the restaurant and for shopping. If she possesses a cheap and badly made street suit, in addition to several other is although she may sometimes feel that a thin silk, no matter how poorly made, i$ more appropriate than a suit for a card party. The one frock should be of good ma- terial and should be well made, If one Is bought each year, a street sult, consisting of coat and skirt and match- ing waist, can be bought ong season a dark, inconspicuous evening or for mal afternoon frock for the next. The sult should be chosen so that it will look well the second year and will look falrly well the third; the frock, remodeled a little, will also serve for one-dress plan is a good one will have a very serviceable and good-looking wardrobe on hand, The coat sult, when it Is to answer many calls, should be of moderately normal proportions. Unusual walst- lines, sleeves, yoke and collars should be avoided. The coat should be semi- fitting and the skirt should be neither tight nor loose. Such a suit will never be in the height of fashion, but, pro- vided it 1s becoming, it will always be distinctive and good looking. It should be of some standard dark color-—dark blue, black, or a becoming shade of brown are always inconspicuous. In two years, when you are due to buy another suit, the old one will be ready for knockabout wear, still retaining a style and dignity never possessed by a cheap sult. : The same rules hold good of the eve ning dress, which can only he renewed every two years. It should be of be coming color and cut, should avoid all terial as you can afford. The one-dress method requires al most perfect fit, and If the clothes are bought ready made and extra payment to have them well fitted Is an economy. Morning frocks and a homemade house dress from time to time supple- ment the onedress wardrobe suffi. clently. ———— —————— SI This is a most appealing and very unusual wrap of velvet and spangles, with fringe of heavy curly ostrich feathers and stunning gold brocade. WOMEN LIKE KITCHEN APRONS Useful Article Is Welcome Present on Any Occasion—Must Suit Recipient's Youth, Do you know the housewife wel comes Kitchen aprons as gifts? -In- deed, she does! Also, remember that the modern housewife ls not satisfied with a merely gingham apron-—it must have a touch that proves its recent creation end the wearer's youth! Oh, of course, she must have a few severe. ly plain aprons for work which Is not deserving of a pretty apron, but she has those. You can give her the other kind—-they are more “gifty” looking and are just as useful. A blue chambray apron would be EA dh AB TR 5 Sih dd A simple taffeta frock is an indis- | pensable garment in every feminine | wardrobe, for It can be pressed inte | service in many emergencies. The model illustrated features the new | flounced skirt, the flounces being fin. | ished with a narrow knife plaiting. | most attractive if It were made with la bib which extends round the back and buttons in back with a round col- lareffect. The belt is very wide—wide epough to give the effect of a bodice. A few running stitches of yellow, beige and purple will finish the seams colorfully and you might add a little design directly upon the froat of the bib, An apron made of pale violet cham- bray would be most attractive with a piping of purple and white striped per- cule. i Checked ginghams make up very at- | tractively If you happen to get the kind of check which Is large enough to have an alr of veritable smartness. A blue-checked apron with bindings of blue, or a red-checked apron with bind- ings of red would equally delight the | housewife, {| Try giving this sort of apron in | place of the faucy little white ones you used to give and which were hard. { ly ornamental to a frock and certainly not protective, TAB COLLAR IS VERY USEFUL Decoration May Be Purchased Com. | plete or Tabbing May Be Bought by the Yard worsted A tab collar is a good Investment. A tab collar fits any sort of neckline, round or square, as It bends at the juncture of each tab and thus looks when adjusted ae if it has been made expressly for the frock with which it is worn Tab collars may be bought complete in themselves, or the tabbing may be | bought by the yard, the amount vary- ing seccording to the size of the neck line to be finished, It Is attractive in filet or Irish and, If possible, in the | peal. It really never is good economy | to buy imitation lace for a collar, for nowadays even the imitatioh is ex- | pensive and you are sure to tire of It | long before It is worn out. Enough | real lace tabbing to finish a neck will | surely prove a good Investment. Lace collars are not all white, Many are tinted a deep cream or ecru and there are Irish and fillet lace collars in flame color or one of the nastur | tium shades that are extremely smart. Sometimes the smart woman has her lace collar dyed to suit her fancy and to go with the frock with which it is to be worn. wien - To Dry Knitted Goods. To dry knitted goods make a cradle out of a large Turkish towel by tying each end with a string, then hang the towel between two lines or between two wooden chairs. Squeeze, but do not wring the article, and place it In the cradle. In this way it will dry more readily than In the pillowcase, for the alr can get at it; besides it ean be turned as parts dry, thus giv. ing the air a better chance at the wet parts. Furs and Feathers. Furs and feathers vie with each other for dress garnitures. Fashion says It must be fur. Vogue replies as promptly : “It must be feathers.” Blue and White Printed Crepe. Blue and white printed crene 18 the blouse of a three-plece suit of navy basket weave cloth, Always say “Bayer” when buy- millions of people. Each Headache, sage and on the tablets. Handy tin boxes of twelve tab- Jets cost but a few cents. Drug- ——————— Strictly Business, Employee—1'm afraid, sir, under the present high prices I shall be unable to live on my salary and Employer—Well, what of it? I'm conducting a business, not a life-saving associntion.—London Answers. SWITCH OFF! Put aside the Salts, Oil, Calomel, or Pills and take ““Cascarets.”’ Are you keeping your bowels, liver, and stomach clean, pure and fresh with Oascarets, or merely whipping them into action every few days with Balts, ters? Stop having a bowel wash-day. Let Oascarets gently cleanse and regulate the stomach, remove the sour and fer- nenting food and foul gases, take the excess bile from the liver and carry yut of the colon and boweis all the sonstipated waste matter and poisons $0 you can straighten up. Cascarets tonight will make you feel great by morning. They work while you sleep—never gripe, sicken, or sause any inconvenience, snd cost so ttle too.—Adv. His Memory Faulty. providing you have a good for associations, which is really the trick. A Kansas City man planned put an infallible method for remem- bering his wife's birthday. It comes on the Tth of the month. “Now, I'll remember that,” he sald, “by assocl- ating it with dice—think of dice, then Come seven!" Ah, that's t—seven, I can't forget it.” The next year passed, and his instinct told him his wife's birthday was imminent. “Now, what's that date?’ the husband asked himself. “Oh, yes, dice. Dice—craps it—December 11." And his wife's crying spell on the Tth didn't end until the 11th.— Kansas City Star. memory eleven! That's that's why The mathematics teacher was ematics. “You must all metic if you want to be successful” she told them. “All our public men should be good mathematicians. Can anyone tell me why?” Up went little Max's hand. “So that they can keep thelr accounts straight,” he answered. The Pessimistic View, “They say even rich men now de- clare they will wear patched trousers.” “Yes, but they can afford the patch- ng.” Be noble in every overy deed. —Longfellow. Their Name Is Legion. Harold had told me that his friend Robert was coming over with him « play after school. Bo when my sor showed up without Robert, looking much disappointed, I asked the reason “0, his mother did say at noon tha! he could come, but I'll tell you how I js—she Is one of those changers mind.”"—Exchange. WOMEN NEED SWAMP-ROOT { Thousands of women have kidney and bladder trouble and never suspect it, Womens’ complaints often prove to be pothing else but kidney trouble, or the result of kidney or bladder disease. If the kidneys are not in a healthy condition, they may cause the other or gans to become diseased. Pain in the back, headache, loss of am bition, nervousness, are often times symp toms of kidney trouble. Don’t delsy starting treatment. Dn | Kilmer's Swamp-Root, a physician's pre | scription, obtained at any drug store, may be just the remedy needed to overcome such conditions. Get s medium or large size bottle im mediately from any drug store However, if you wish firet to test this great preparation send ten cents to Dr. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. Y., for s sample bottle. When writing be sure and | mention this paper. —Adv. Good Field for Films. Several picture-producing companies ha%e of late estates for thelr work: snd it 1s reported that the Oatlands Lodge estate, of twenty acres, has acquired by one of the oldest British film-making oon cerns. This lodge 18 a part of the for mer royal domain of Oatlands, which veritable rendezvous of mon archs in time past. Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth, James I and Charles I all stayed at different times. To gether with its historic traditions, Oat- ands Lodge has such an attraction as the remains of a subterranean pas sage, a relic which no doubt will be very useful to the film producer. Some Moniker! Speaking of names, as the Nomad | has been In recent issues, we once read iof an English baby being christened “Actsoftheaposties Kennett.” Which is some moniker, you'll admit. No doubt it was considerably abbreviated later, and it is not difficult to imagine the lad's mother excisgiming in a mo ment of exasperation: “Actso, how | can you act so? of secured English heen WHS 8 there United States Gold Supply. The total gold supply in the United States has decreased $73,000000 in the last year, mainly through exports to countries that sell more merchan- dise to the United States than they buy here. How Rats Cause Fires Rats are fond of eating the insulat- ing material of electric wires, and are responsible for many of the fires as eribed to “defective insulation.” They also gnaw holes in lead water pipes. The more we boast of knowing the less we really know; the truly wise ' man seldom speaks of himself. hi offee when
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers