20 
THE SPLENDID PRODIGAL. 
Continued from page 5 
He staggered toward the edge of the table, cursing in an un- 
earthly voice, then back again. As he did so, his foot caught in 
the ruffled cloth. He stumbled, poised a second, then pitched, 
head foremost, with a frightful cry. There was a loud crash and 
the ‘‘Count’’ lay at full length, very still and quiet, among the 
food and bottles that strewed the floor. 
The jar roused Bachman. He sat up, brushing his face and 
smearing it with wine. 
‘«What’s s’matter—hic—what’s 
tively. ‘‘ ‘S-anybody 
Poor, poor Bachie.’’ 
The ambulance came, presently, and took Mykos to the hos- 
pital. Then a policeman came in and cleared out the place, 
taking a bite here and a nip there as he roused the ‘‘dead-ones’’ 
aud drove them before him. That done, the Boss waddled over and 
put a padlock on the doors of the back- room—and the ‘‘Count’s’’ 
s’matter?’’ he said, 
smushed? Yes—hic — Bachie’s 
plain- 
smushed. 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE 
LV 
They buried him next day over on Riker’s Island in a little 
plat set aside for derelicts who never drift home. Stumpy, Bach- 
man and Shouter went down to the East River Docks for their fir: 
day’s in years to earn money to buy flowers to put on ‘Counties 
Mykos’ grave. 
They stood at the cemetery gate, on the way out, locke 
back where the pile of clay lay dark against the new snow. 
‘¢What a mystery is Life!’’ said Stumpy, solemnly. 
in his vices he was gentle and Magee 
might call a splendid prodigal.’’ 
‘*Well, I hope he’s happier, now. God’ll understand what us 
fellows couldn’t,’’ said Shouter. 
No one spoke for some time. Then it was Bachman. 
**T wonder—,’’ he said, quietly. 
the pencil basket I hid behind the safe.’’ 
And then they started on toward the ferry. 
‘¢Bven 
He was what one 
‘*T wonder if the Boss saved 
i iopeition of Christmas at The Alligator was over. 
The End. 
PARCELS Post JAN. IST. 
After years of agitation, the new 
parcels post act will go into effect on 
January 1 and is expected to be of 
great benefit to the public at large 
while it will be of especial benefit to 
those firms who do a mail order busi- 
ness. It is without a doubt the most 
tre endous business enterprise ever 
undertaken by the federal government 
in a century. 
Under the present law parcels weigh- 
ing more than four pounds cannot be 
the government will carry parcels 
weighing up to a limit of 11 pounds, 
at a rate varying according to the dis- 
tance they are to be carried, instead 
of the flat rate of “one cent an ounce 
or fraction thereof” of the present 
law. The Parcels Post Act approved 
August 24 last puts it very clearly: 
That hereafter fourth-class mail 
matter shall embrace all other matter, 
including farm and factory products 
not now embraced by law in either 
first, second or third class, not exceed- 
in size than 72 inches in length and 
girth combined, nor in form or kind 
likely to injure the person of any pos- 
tal employee or damage the mail equip- 
ment or other mail -atter and not of - 
a character perishable within a period 
reasonably required for transportation 
and delivery. 
The only complicated feature of the © 
system is the matter of rates and the _ 
problem in this respect is one whi is 
undoubtedly will give the local post- 
masters a good deal of worry. Yet it 
is not in itself difficult to master. — 
BIGELOW & WASHBURN, Ine. 
Salem, Massachusetts | 
sent by mail. Under the new system 
ALMY, 
ing I1 pounds in weight nor greater 
Our Greatest 
January 
WHITE SALE 
NowimProgress 
Our 
January 
Clearance 
Sale 
January 
Sale of 
LINENS 
French Hand-Madeand American 
Undermuslins Representing prod- 
ucts from the lead- 
ing centres of 
This year we are featuring especially the 
finer and more worthy lines of undermus- 
lin. The offering of French Handmade 
Undermuslins is ourown direct importa- Scotland 
Coats tion selected by our manager when in Paris 
S it last summer. E Ireland 
ults The American undermuslins are from Germany 
Furs two of the leading New York manufactur- Belgium 
ers noted for their exclusiveness in design 
as well as fine workmanship and attention 
to details that add so much to the complete- 
ness of dainty undermuslins. 
as well as domestic 
makes. 
The Sale You Have 
Been Waiting For 
