Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (April 16, 1925)
r' -> New York -- ---Day by Day— >---—j By O. O. M’lNTYRK. Vew York, April J5.—There is a job in New fork where you are paid for being dismissed. Several big de partment stores have employes who are known as "Q. F. M s." They are the Official Fired Men and sometimes they are fired fifteen or twenty times a day. , Their discharge Is merely a sop to i ha feelings of ruffled customers. A justifiable complaint is made. The manager Is grieved, lie sends for a man whom he gives the customer the idea Is responsible for the trouble, lie comes in wearing a hangdog look. The manager thunders his seeming wrath. The O. F. M. tries to build up a justification, but his every ex cuse Is swept away and lie stands the picture of despair. They are said to be great actors. In the end he is told the firm can use him no longer. He is given a slip of pai>er and told to see the cashier for vv hat salary is coming to him. He slouches out. returns to his desk, lights a clgaret and awaits the next dismissal. Many times the customer feels that the mat ter has gone too far. He pleads for his reinstatement, and if he pleads long enough the O. F. M. will be recalled and told that \ it is only due to the customer's mag nanimity that he will be able to con tinue his post. He grasps the cus . fonier's hand in gratitude, wipes away the suspicion of a tear and goes back to ht fsdesk. Of course, after the O. F. M. is dis charged the department "store makes s thorough investigation of the com plaint and seeks in every way to cor rect it, but In a public rebuke and dismissal they have impressed the customer as they might not in any other way. One customer Is said to have made three complaints, and in each instance the same employe was dismissed. He became suspicious and wrote a letter, and that is how the. story leaked out. How to become a New York Intel lectual: Have a polite contempt for the work* of Harold Bell Wright. And hall Urelser as greatest of them all. "There goes the dress business!" j Tills was tlie wall of one of the ave nue's best known makers of ladles clothes, following the moat recent drive of the officials to Saharatze | Gotham. The closing of the promi nent night clubs, be said, would cause a -ta per cent falling off In the sale of evening gowns. It was further ex plained that most of these gowns were worn purely for public display. If en tertainment is driven back to the private homes, where people meet the same old friends, they will not be ro anxious for a Variety of frocks. New York ladles, by the way, are going to unusual lengths }n their toilette. It started during the recent Palm Beach season. Manicurists were called upon to do the ladles’ toenails. They were glossed to the pink of splendor so that they fairly shone through their sandals when they lolled about on the sands. Manicur ists were not eager for the work and the price of an ordinary manicure was quadrupled. My friend. Bill Johnston, wrote a book palled "These Women.” Bill Is happily married, but he had some cynical things to say about woman kind. It seems significant that, after saying them and delivering his manu script to the publisher, he embarked on a Journey around the world. That George Jean Nathan Is to leave his cO-edltorshlp of the American Mercury to write a novel In Europe and leave Mencken at the helm alone Is like splitting the Smith brothers or the Gold Dust Twins. Nathan will continue as a contributor and no doubt pick up a dazzling galaxy of German words to scatter from coast to coast. * I (Copyright, l»i» ) — — “ \ The Long Green Gaze A Cross Word Puzzle Mystery By Vincent Fuller L._>\ (Continued from Yt»t«ril(y), CHAPTER XIV. Tetl Remembers. “For heaven's sake, let me have a few words with you. Rose." Jarvis pleaded after lunch on Thursday, the clay ot Ohalfonte's funeral. “I don't feel much like having words with anybody, these days," she replied. "Especially after the grlU ing they put me through yesterday. Weariness clouded her blue eyes as she sat on the davenport in the draw , ing room, where Jarvis had led her so that they would not he disturbed. "I know it’e been hard on you, dear. Tt has on everybody. I don't suppose I show it as much as some of them—Mlse Minty, for Instance— but I’ve learned a few tilings out of life- that auch people as Miss Minty don'* get a chance to learn." Hej talked on vaguely for a minute or 1wo, watching Rose's face. Tt was indubitably a thinner and wearier lace—the days and sleepless nights were telling on her as well as on the rest. "Don't you think It’s rathep foolish of you to stay on here. Rose. There's no way they can keep you if you want to go. The most they can do Is to shadow you, to make sure you don't get away altogether. They won’t let any one of us do that — not until the murderer Is found. You'd find It easier somewhere else. I’m sure they don't suspect you any more." "You’d have thought they did yes terday—with those motion pictures." "I know—they'll do all they can. They were going to put Soames through the same thing." “V.'ere they? ... I didn’t know that. Of course, they wouldn't tell me. But how did you know?” Jarvis bent forward gf f answered in a whisper: “This is *. thing just between us—they're letting me in on most of the things they find and plan T don't Quit# know what to make of it. Maybe they really want me to help them and think I can. I've something of a reputation In the city, you know, and Smith Is a classmate of mine. Again, maybe they lust want to give me a little rope to hang my telf with—as they think. They're not through watching me. I've had plenty of indications of that " v> diuiuuK J *' « ' ’ vil flat, and she did not meet his eye*. Jarvis gulped a. little. "Rave, vou—you don't suspect me, too, do vpu?” His hands went toward her ip an Impulsive, pleading gesture. "Jarvis!” she cried In a low voice, which nevertheless made him look apprehensively at the door. "It's just that It’s all so horrible, and I almost lose my mind under It all. I've even suspected myself at times, wondering if I didn't somehow have a vial of poison, or something, that T broke Into her coffee.” "Well, If you have suspected me, you don't now. do you?" “No. Jarvis.” she said In a whisper ■O low as to he almost unheard. "It’s a wonder we don't run Into some trap or. other, all of u*. with them watching so carefully. They'll be ready to do anything to find a victim tf something doesn't turn up soon." "What kind of traps do you think they'll lay?” "I don't know . . . On* thing, they're watching the library?” "Why?” "Because, the puzzle fhalfonte left —I worked If for them, you know. I’m almost under oath' not to reveal this. Rose, but I'll tell you." Then lowering his voice to n whisper, he told her of nil that ('halfonte’s puz zle had revealed, and what the de tectives had reconstructed of what must have happened the night be fore his death—the Important parts of which had never reached the papers. "That's terrible. I knew that the murderer must have hern In the house ■all the time, hut that make* It worse, somehow. That would make It seem that the murderer and the thief were one. Isn't that, wliat they think?" “It would he the luglrnl thing to think, wouldn’t It? with tl» thief dis covered, and the person who discov ered hint found murdered the next morning hy the same poison used on Aunt Emily- - - - Now 1 tell you this. Rose, Just to put you on your guard. Watch people—all the time 1 believe that if two of tie would Work together, w# might catch the guilty party, somehow. That's one reason that I've wanted to talk with you *o long: and ths other and most Important Is that t haven’t been alone with you for so (long that It seems hfcrdly possible to •0 on living any more I suppose most people think I’m a cold blooded scientist. Rose. Rot whet* you're concern»d. I'm not. The eight of your foot, your arm. your eves, the gleam Ing of your hair at the end of *he hall—T forget everything hut Mill lie BUt hi* *rm about her shoulder "Don't," she cried and shivered **>nv ul»h ely. "Don't touch me Jarvis I thl* i" no time for love, •nd . . “Rose, you don't think I’m the— it Isn’t that that makes you want me not to touch you, is it? Is It, Rose?” “Don’t nlisunderstand. Jarvis, please. Be sensible. Be the scien tist, not the lover. Listen, just after T got up—Just before lunch—Miss Minty had me in her room, crying on my shoulder. She'd forgotten all about that section of Kmlly’s will that provided that in case one of the heirs died—that she was to inherit the property. And they sprang that on her yesterday, and she Just went to pieces. I guess: and she thinks they’re going to hang her tomorrow, as near as I can make out. Then everybody is sullen at lunch, and l keep re membering how- they kept after me yesterday, and how utterly tired I got, and then you <tall me in and suspect me of suspecting you, and tell me a lot of things that would make me nervous anyway, and on top of that you liegin to talk of love. Love! . . . AVhat I want isn't love—what I want is to be out in the country, and have it spring, and lie d»wn on the grass under a green tree, and watch the clouds grow in the sky, and then run down a hill to a stream—and not to have a man In a hundred miles, or a newspaper, or anybody I've ever seen. I ten years I might be ready to come back to you—I don’t know. And If I can’t get that, I want to be dead—down under the ground, and have the flowers and gTass waving above me In a clean wind of spring. Rut I don't want love.” She had spoken alj this in a low | tense voice, and when she finished, with half a sob In her throat she ran to the door, flung It back, and vanished. Jarvis followed her slowly, and was still standing contemplatively regarding the stained glass repre sentatlon of Queen Louise at the head of the staircase when Ted came down the stairs. “Where's Rose?" he asked. "Miss Minty wants to see her. Says sh* s the only person around here who gives her any comfort. Minty's pret ty well cut up about something." “Rose has gone up to her room, I think.. But let Miss Minty worry along. Rose needs rest—Just as we all do. before she goes to C'halfonte's funeral.” I Know, om topper, nut youin nar to help hear the burden* of age I've done mv heat by Ml** Minty, but now l she need* the feminine toueh. That * plain a* the noae on your face." "Prat her—ehe'a Ju*t another one of these people that ought to dry up and blow off." “Better watch what you're saving. Jarvy," Ted cautioned him. "And listen to reason: I'm going up and get Rose. MJsa Minty's all cut up. I tell you—this Idea of her Inheriting Ohalfonte's money ha* gone to her head, with what the detectives have made of It, and ahe's almost crazy.” "It looks to me like a case of one old woman ruining another old woman. It was an old woman's Idea to leave nothing to Minty except In the case of the death of one of the heirs, and now It's going to rauaf Mlnty'a death, or collapse, maybe." “Don't be eo high hat about old women. Jarvis. Your own mother would have been an old woman by this time, you know, and It strike* me that somebody ought to take care of 'em.” "You’ll be quoting 'Mother o' Mine' next If you don't watch out. Be careful.” "He careful yourself, with all this talk of drying up and Mowing off.” "I know, Ted.” Jarvis turned Im pulsively arid put his hand on Toil’s shoulder. ”1 know I shouldn’t talk that way, hut we're all on edge these days, and everybody suspects every body else, and walks around thirsting that everybody Is suspecting him. And I know what Interpretation you're putting on what I said. Hut yifft know how you feel when you stand on the top of a high building. You feel Irresistibly drawn to jump. . . . Well. I keep looking Into this bottomless pit of simpleton until sometimes I want to Jump down Into It myself; and I don't watch what I say, or rare what I say. I Juat Mindly atrlke out at people Ton understand now, don't you, Ted?” "Yeh. sure. I,Ike the co-eds say when they get hipped shout some I poet; 'He juat saya what 7 always feel and cent »ay myself.' All right, you said It. You said a fnouthful. I've felt —a dozen times—like running down the hall shouting, ‘I did It! I did It' Patch me. I'm the murderer.' Only I eomehow keep hanging on to myself and don't do It. . I'll see you Inter Are you going down to the funeral?” "Why. yes, we all are. 1 suppose It would 'look rather bad to stay ‘ away." ] As Ted climbed the stairs, dreading ! to fnc» Miss Mlnty'a hysterics alone, j he mulled over Jarvis' word* "Pry | upr «nd blow awn: ' Something war stirring In hi* mlsd a dark reviving I memory of something he had over heard Was It years ego’ (Tn *• t setts us* TotaorrnW.) e~7o Butts—They Drive Him Nuts. By Rubg Goldbt,t rr / rt> LUCE TO GO TO L ‘ 1 THe BALL GAME ^ TOO AY, feT \’V/e GOT TO CALL OM A MAM OM &>UoiME<SS- I’LL JUST MA\JC TO *CEE? MY MlMb CPf THE , game y ■ .■ - ■ ei LO^BOZO f GOtMG TO THe j i ■/ v baligake A t-a.' \ Tob,Ay T A-_A tA s-' A uorrw us "T© THt. &ALL GAME . THE NEBBS _ IS THAT SO? Directed lor The On.»ha B« by Sol He.. /'SHE SAID SHE DIDNY TRY TO \ I HIRE HER-THAT EMMA MUST i /HAVE GATHEREO THAT FROM A S (CONVERSATION SHE HAD WITH HER; )l TOLD HER IF SHE WANTED TO VI5IT /{' j WITH EMMA ,THURSDAY WAS HER J ' l DAY OFF-'lNVITE HER TO YOUR / \ HOUSE-DON'T DO YOUR «_ l VISITING OVER THE J V 0ACK FENCE/ ^ — 1 # /'"m. TELL YOO WHAT TO DO — | /- WHEN SHE GET5 A GOOD GIRL / YOO OFFER HER 2 DOLLARS MORE A \ ‘ WEEK-ITS ONLY COSTING YOO 52 DOLLARS! .A YEAR MORE AND IT WILL COST HER *1041? AND SHE'LL GET “TWICE AC> MAD/I S AS YOU ARE-REMEMBER,WHAT'S \ SAUCE FOR THEv-GOOSE IS DUCK ) 1 ^ SOUP FOR ) the gander J * ■* l BRINGING UP FATHFR „ ,R*P“.“1*i„1 SEE J,GCS AND MAGG1E ,N FULL Drawn for The Omaha Bee by McManus * rt I I1Lj1\ U. S. Patent Office PAGE OF COLORS IN THE SUNDAY BEE (Copyright 1625) e>tr*oroihary I* ABIE THE AGENT CAN’T HOCK POPULARITY. Drawn for The Omaha Bee by Hershfield TILLIE, THE TOILER. By Wcstover Barney Google and Spark Plug Sparky Thought He Was on the “Milky Way." Drawn for The Omaha Bm by Billy Ddkck CM TUB rEVHTU Dd CP TUB QIC. $1* fclSI SACS t SPASEV PUlC STTPI 1* <X>T AMO STEAUi P row. 1<V9 CM RV.QQE6 CPGS ' VT It nc\» FCUR CCICCK | !*• TUe HORNING »lME SPARKT CEASING ■’'•f F'lGLO Wm »ot CAPS • *-i fll^SER CSG5KJC0 AM® j FURurtUBt) RccfA fly Yi % . -■■ i ■ » — IU SPITE CP Ttip ea<?eV *<OV« ‘TUfe- Ci»ANO‘.rAMA F'Utti » * 4 *M<i SPAWIfS COOL-MO AMO C«C»t *AC* I T* %««OMO | ItaMMiBHHHBMBiMP