1939-02-27 — Page 8

MUTT AND JEFF

YOU CHEATED MI.... WAIT A MINUTE, ET-GARDS! YOU WON EVERYTHING I DUATEXCEPT) THIS NETOLI NOW I 'GĦALL. BEDW OFF YOUR HEAD WITH ITJEA

KING)I DON'T 'MIND BEING KILLED BUT LET ME’SAY GOMETHING~ BEFORE I DIEJ

||-20 ·

WHAT?

LET'S PLAY ONE MORE GAME OF POKER! I'LL". GIVE YOU A CHAHÉR TO WIN BACK EVERYTHING, YOU EDST! IF YOU KILLED

ME NOW YOU COULDN'T

WIN BACK YOUR

MONEY BECAUSE I WOULDNY BE

·ABLE TO PLAY!

COME ON! YOU

·CAN SHOOT MË AFTER JUST?

"AS WITUL!

THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 27, 1989

By BUD TISHER

CLICK!

CLICK!

"

FOR LADIES ONLY

VOTE AND WIN

"COLONIAL DAMES GIFT SETS purchased from A. S. WATSON & CO.

1

All you have to do is to cast a single vote for your favourite M.G.M. star either male or female. Then, you must state what you believe will be the order of the first six stars based upon the number of votes casted as a result. of this poll. The first entry opened with the correct solution or nearest thereto will be declared the winner. Each entry must be accompanied by the counter-foil of the ticket to see "MARIE ANTOINETTE" and must be sent to the KING'S THEATRE ear marked "Colonial Dames” Competition. All entries must be in by noon on the day of.“MARIE following the completion of the run ANTOINETTE.”

980

The King's Management will be the judges, whose decision will be final.

PRIZES

1 First Prize 2...Second Prizes

1 Large Gift Set Small Gift Sets

*:10: Consolation Prizes of one Pair of Guest Tickets each

to see “PORT OF SEVEN SEAS”.

TEOFANI CIGARETTES

MADE IN ENGLAND

TEOFANI

作

KING'S GUARD

Tin of 50--85 cts.

Obtainable at

INGENOHL'S CIGAW STORES "LA PERLA DEL ORIENTE"

and other tobacconista

THE DAILY SHORT STORY

OLD FRIENDS

Old Man Comber has owned and his family with the best, suffers ment- operated the general store in Hillside al tortures when he can provide only for nearly fifty years, And for all the barest necessities. most the same length of time Johnny Johnny's trips to Old Man Comber's Carter has been buying his groceries

store became less and less frequent. there.

But never:ancer:did) he admit to his Johnny would stop every night on crony that things were bad, He made his way home from the rubber shop one excuse after another at not be- and make his purchases. Most nl- ing able to patronize the general ways he would remain to chat a mo- ment or two with Old Man Comber. In time, they came to know each other's little pecularities, and regulated their conversation accordingly.

.I

store."

Then one morning Johnny awoke to discover that his family was hun- gry, and there was nothing in the house to ent. Nor was there money, with which to buy food. Johnny was This began, of course, long before desperate. He couldn't go to the town Comber, could be called an old man for help.. Not after all these years. Or Johnny either for that matter. He'd rather steal. Moreover, they saw each other BO

frequently that neither one could, Johnny suddenly sat up in bed, perceive..any distinct change in the Steal! A vivid picture began to take. other with the passing of time.

form in his mind. He bow himself entering Old Man Comber's store. Or- But Old Man Comber grew

old dering oranges the forty-five-cent more rapidly than Johnny Hedidn't grade. Old Man Comber going below mind though. He kept his store and stairs, Johnny alone. chattered with Johnny, when Johnny handy

•?

The till 80

stopped by most every night. Johnny He tried to shut out the vision. But kept on at the rubber shop, and fell it persisted: It tormented him. Why into the routine of living that comes not? He'd spent a lot of money with

By Richard Hill Wilkinson

always

Pro-

to most men when they reach middle Comber the last fifty years. age. He had a family, and tool bably been overcharged. Why not? pride in giving them the best there Johnny tried to appear natural when was to be had, depriving himself. he came into the store. Old Man Com--

bet greeted him almost eagerly. And For example, Old Man Comber sold Johnny sang out: "Oranges, old timer, two grade of oranges, one for thirty Oranges. The forty-five-cent grade." cents a dozen, the other for forty- five. The better grade he

Old Man Comber chuckled and start- kept in the cellar of his store, where ed for the door. He seemed pleased. it was cool. The cheaper grade he at seeing: Johnny again. placed on display in his front win- dow. Johnny always paid the forty- five-cent price. He always bought. ed. It was as though he was experi oranges on Monday. When Old Man onced in this business. The moment Comber saw Johnny coming he would Old Man Comber disappeared he open his cellar door and start down, reached over and drew opon the till. before Johnny entered. Johnny would. He saw money, ellvor and greenbacks. therefore find himself alone for His pulse leaped. Then suddenly his moment or two and have ample time blood froze. Old Man Comber to make what other selections were watching him from the cellar door- needed. Then Old Man Comber would way.

Johnny had the whole thing arrang

was

como upstairs, his arms full of or- Coincidence? You. Int fifty years it anges, and greet Johnny with his was the first time that Old Man Com- usual cheerfulness.

ber had wrapped the oranges previ- ous to Johnny's coming and left them..

•

The routine of the thing became at the head of the stairs. so pronounced that Johnny never ex- Johnny merely stared. It seemed pected to find Old Man Comber in to him that it was just now that the the store when he first entered on true meaning of his act came home. Mondays.

A thief A common thief! When in 1929 the depression struck, Old Man Gomber had not moved Johnny and Old Man Comber dis- from the doorway. Homerely stood though, cussed the situation at length. They with his eyes on Johnny, as had no previous days, years agd unable to comprehend, Bottled strikes and won wars, derided. Something,, must have happened in prohibition and elected Presidents. A that moment. Something resulting depression was by no means too great from fifty years friendship and un- for their extensive arguments. Both derstanding Johnny slid from the felt reasonably safe and snug as counter and stood in an attitude of far as they themselves were concern- waiting, submissive. And Old Man Comber came around the counter, laid ed.

Thon the inevitable happened. The his hand on Johnny's shoulder and rubber factory closed down. Johnny looked deep into his eyes. was thrown out of a job. And like "I understand, Johnny. I knew all hundreds of others, he was, after the along. It's the first thing you ain't First few weeks of Idleness practical told me. That's what "hurts” - Ho ly destitute: He had failed to foresee waved a hand at the toro. "Next and provide for the inevitable.

time:you come In this store you name Johnny was proud. Thoughts of cal- the things you want an' you'll

on the town for eld; made him 'em, An don't try to keep things to Userable. He moartbede frantically yourself. Friends ain't no good un- man who's in wirk Lanly to mental failure. At des tthøy can help

Petrophie,

began to look bad. A man who (Copyright, 1980, By The Associat- has always takon pride in providing ed Newspapers.)