A Retrieved Reform Page: 634
[18], 603-720, [82] p. : ill. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this prose (fiction).
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I I ''""/ T'TVI' g Tt Y F f 1r "'t 't 1"
four-in-hand he cordially ave inf,,rmiat ion.
Yes, there ought to be a good opening
in the shoe line. There wasn't an exclusive
shoe-store in the place. The dry-goods
and general stores handled them. Business
in all lines was fairly good. Hoped Mr.
Spencer would decide to locate in Elmiore.
lie would find it a pleasant town to live
in, and the people very sociable.
Mr. Spencer thought he would stop over
in the twn a few days and look over the
situation. No, the clerk needn't call the
boy. lie would carry up his suit case,
himself: it was rather heavy.
Mr. Ralph i Spencer, the phinix that
arose from Jlinmy Valentine's ashes-ashes
left by the flame of a sudden and alterative
attack of love-remained in Elmore andtl
prospered. I1(e opened a shoe-store andl
secured a gtood run of trade.
Socially he was also a success, and made
many friends. And Ihe accomplished the
wish of his heart. lie nmet Miss Annabel
Adanms, and became ore and more capti-
vated by her charms.
At the end of at year the situation of Mr.
Ralph Spencer was this: he had won the
respect of the community, his shoe-store
was Ilourishing, and he and Annabel were
engaged to be married in two weeks. lr.
Adams, the typical, plodding, country
banker, approved of Spencer. Annabel's
pride in him almost equalled her affection.
lie was as Imuch ait hoIme in the family of
Mr. Adams and that of Annael's married
sister ats if Ihe were already a menler.
One day Jilmniy sat d own in his room
and wrote this letter, which he mailed to
the safe address of one of his old friends
in St. Louis:-
")E s:t ()01) P.r.:-I want you to Ibe
at Sullivan's place, ill Little Rock, next
Wednesday nig ht, at nine o'clock. I want
you to wind up some little matters for me.
And, also,. I want to make ytou a present of
my kit of tools. I know you'll be glad
to get the-- voi couldn't duplicate the
lot for one thousand dollars. Say, Billy,
I've quit the old business-a year ago.
I' e got a nice store. I'm making an
honest living, and I'm going to marry the
finest girl on earth two weeks from now.
It's tlhe only life, IBilly-the straight one.
I wouldn't touch a dollar of another man's
money now for a million. After I getmir:tried I'm going to sell out; and g0 gai
\-iterIe there won't bte so Mtuch daall ,, ci
having oldt scores brought up agani n' aN
I tell you, Billy, she's an angel. l :
lieves illn me; and I wouldn't do an, sa
crooked thing for the whole world., ,r
sure to be at Sully's, for I Imust see Lo
I'll bring along the tools with me. bi
"Your oltl friend, , tnl w
On the Mlonday night after Jimmy i t
this letter Ben Price jogged unobtrusi t
into Elmore in a livery buggy. lie loun i
about town in his quiet way until he fi,
out what hlie wanted to know. From
drat-store across the street from Speno
shoe-store lie got a good look at lRalplh
Spencer.
"Going to marry the Ibanker's dauhl:
are you, Jimmy?" said Ben to hinisl
softly. 'TWell, I don't know !"
The next morning Jimny took Ibreakf:
at tihe Adamses'. IIe was going to Lit:
Rock that day to order hiiswetdding-s
and buy somietling nice for Annabel. Ti
would be the list time he had left to :
since he came to Elmore. It had belen mn:
than a year now since those last profei
sional "jobs," and he thought he cuil
safely venture out.
After breakfast quite a family par
went downtown together-- 3r. Aidam
Annabel, Jimmy, and Annabel's Imarriei
sister with her two little girls, aged fits
and nine. They came by the hotel whern
Jimmy still boarded, and he ran up to his
room and brought along his suit case.
Tlhen the went on to the bank. There
stood Jinnny 's horse and buggy and Dolpi
G ibson, who was going to drive him over
to the railroad-station.
All went inside the high, carved oak
railings into the banking-room-.fimm
included, for Mr. Adams' future son-in-laW
was welcome anywhere. The clerks were
pleased to be greeted by the good looking,
agreeable young main who was (going to
marry Miss Annalel. Jimmy set his suit
case down. Annabel, whose hart was
bubbling with happiness and lively youth.
put on Jiminy's hat, and picked up the suit
case. " touldlt't I make a nice drtinmer?'
said Annalel. " Iy: Ial ph, how lhe'y It
is? Feels like it was full of gold bricks."
"Lot of nickel-plated shoe-holrns in
there, '' said Jimnmy, coolly, " that I'm1
I
ft
lit
i t
ill
ts
c'F O_ F!/L IOiV.
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Henry, O., 1862-1910. A Retrieved Reform, prose (fiction), April 1903; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth139411/m1/4/: accessed May 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.