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; v.-5 ; v, ry-M -1 ' v; r, November 26, IMS .* Ttt KcHZMXY piAlilSXALXk , *. _ . - .. ... t, .... 0£*T» ^hP*. . ". *•'• •-**... * r*^: '*«>: t sit A Vain .A 1 $#?<!&*•* ltion fyt . ^ : :. R. H. WILKINSON Associated Newspapers--WNU Features. SN "?: {"- ?-•'i':y F A HEN," said Eben Langley, "having muddy feet, were to walk across a clean white sheet of paper, the impresion inscribed thereon would be lore intelligible than Harold Brick- ?s writing." And with this, Eben began to fcarve around the inside of the bowl If his pipe with a jackknife, the Made of which testified to many previous carvings, and to chuckle soft* "It couldn't be laid to inadequate schooling," Eben contin- *g ued, tamping freshly cut plus H into the cleaned bowl, "for dell spite the fact that MiUstown was •P at that time little more than a :y clearing La the woodlot, we bad :|| a schoolhouse and a right smart v|, schoolmaster. Harold's folks belie. ved in education and the lad ;| attended all the grades up to 0 the ninth. No, it wasn't lack of V schooling. It was simply that ' his fingers were the kind that looked more at home around the handles of a plow. "Strange as it may seem, Harold Was endowed with an imagination fend a vague desire to do something besides pitch hay all his life. {Which fact, incidentally proved to be even more vague than we at first thought, for in the end, Harold made ' farming his life work and was contented.) ! "It may have been because of a certain obstinacy which developed in Harold when nearing his 20s, or it may have been because of Schoolmaster Caleb Ricker's desperate at- Harold was endowed with an imagination and a vague desire to do something besides pitch hay all his life. . tempts to improve the lad's pen- ' manship, that led to the boy's ulti- 'mate decision. "Three years after Harold terminated his attendance at school, he announced that lie was going to be a writer. The announcement was - astounding. At fiist Millstown's populace was inclined to ridicule the idea. A picture of Harold Brickell, who couldn't even write his name in legible style, earning his living ; writing stories, was quite beyond their grasp. And yet, when Harold persisted in stating that that was his chosen profession there were a few of us who displayed a certain amount of interest. "After all, Millstown was considered a backwoods settlement then; we had sent no brilliant sons into • the world to bring honor and fame to our community. And the mere fact that at least one among us was endowed with even an ambition to achieve some end besides raising an extra good crop of potatoes was something to get excited about. "Our hopes, however, were short lived- Schoolmaster Ricker, who naturally was better equipped to predict the possibilities of such an ambition, looked at Harold with scorn and contempt; was by no means hesitant in stating emphatically that the remoteness of success was something about which we could laugh very heartily without fear of having the tables turned. "As a matter of fact when we who had at first displayed interest in Harold's ambition, were shown a sample of the* boy's penmanship and failed after an hour's elose application (even though we made allowances for our own illiteracy) to decipher a single line, we were inclined to cast a vote in favor of the schoolmaster, agreeing to forget the incident. "But our indifference and scorn in no way undermined Harold's decision. If one was to be a writer, he said, one must not be discouraged by the opinions of a few inexperienced, illiterate imbeciles. He did not, he further stated, expect the co-operation and support of his fellow townsmen. They could not possibly understand, aunply because the scope of their vision was narrowed by routine to the extent of an acre of potatoes and perhaps a like area of silo corn. Most artists were forced to lead a lonely life, which, after all, was stimulating to the creative instincts. "And thus having unburdened himself in a commendable fashion, Harold set about the task of making of himself a writer. He spent his idle moments scrawling signs and symbols on paper, which, when offered to curious acquaintances for perusal, proved meaningless and undecipherable. Yet to Harold the signs and symbols seemed to represent the expression of an-inner genius that bubbled and boiled and sought an outlet. For in spite of everything he kept doggedly at his task and continued whenever opportunity offered to expound in detail about his career, and predicted foir himself a great future. 1 "After awhile Harold's expounding became a little boresome. Especially when the novelty of the idea had been tried and found wanting, and after we had conscientiously attempted to decipher three of the boy's completed manuscripts, succeeding only in starting an argument among, ourselves over the possible meaning of certain signs that had a vague resemblance to English words. We began to suggeist as gently as we could that Harold cease boring us with recitals con-, cerning his wondrous genius and turn his efforts to the more remunerative subject of potatoes and corn. ' , "UnraflRed, Harold continued to scrawl out his so-called stories and to berate Us with predictions of what the future held in store for him. And at last, as a means of protection, Ned Feeley lost his tem- j per and advised poor Harold that it was high time he snapped out of the ! state into which he had let himself fall, that his opportunity of becom- ; ing a writer was nil when you con- j sidered that there wasn't an editor j in the world, including the most ex- j perienced translators of foreign languages, who could decipher his penmanship; and that every one in Millstown was fed up on hearing about it. Ned ended his little speech by offering to bet Harold that the boy would never make a cent out of writing, if he lived to be a thousand. "This last remark served to. silence Harold. He stood in the lobby of the post office, looking from one face to another, as though it were only now that the realization of how his fellow townsmen felt about it all, was brought home to him. There was a silence, during which some of us shifted uneasily and knew a sense of rpgret of Ned's condemning tone. "But presently Harold shrugged his shoulders and turned away. At the door he paused and looked back, a hurt expression in his eyes, a grim determination about his mouth. 'I'll take the bet, Ned,' he said. 'And we'll make the time liirut a year instead of a thousand.' Then he went out. "For a time the bet between Ned and Harold stirred up no little excitement. Of course we all knew that Ned's money was safe, yet there was that hurt expression in Harold's eyes and the grimness about his mouth to remember and wonder at. "However, a week later Harold Brickell was seen through the day plowing the lower lot on his farm and sowing it to corn. And it was generally noised about that the would-be author had conceded the bet. "Of course we had no way of knowing that during the time Harold was following along behind the plow, his mind vfas at work. None of us were artistically inclined and we could not be blamed for not suspecting that it is at just such times as this that geniuses give birth to their most astounding inspirations. *'And when, three months later, the excitement over the bet having died down and everyone having praotically forgotten about Harold's ambition, it was noticed that the lad was not hoeing corn in his lower lot for three days' running, no one guessed what he was up to. They attributed his absence to such things as pains in the stomach, or suh stroke. "Little did we know that Harold in the very act of extracting a jungle weed from a potato hill, had been smitten with the idea of ideas promptly dropped his hoe, returned to the house and for three days thereafter labored with pen and ink in giving expression to the inspiration that he was sure was going to make him famous and win Ned's $200 bet. "At the end of three days Harold emerged from his abode, a stubble of beard on his chin, his eyes red, and a carefully wrapped manuscript under his arm. He went at once to the post office and dispatched his irecious burden by the evening mail. ien he sat down to wait, confident, triumphant, elated." Eben paused in the telling of his tale and chuckled. And I urged impatiently: "Well, what happened? Was the story u good, one? Did Harold win the bet?" 6 Eben shook his head. "Harold won the bet, but no one knows to this day whether the story was good or not. You see Harold was so positive that his yarn was a masterpiece, so afraid that it might become lost, that he insured the package for $100. Dave Sampson, the postmaster, managed with Harold's help, to read the address on the envelope, and dispatched the thing to New York. However, that was as far as it ever got. "No one in New York ^ould read Harold's writing hence the package was lost and Harold collected his $100 insurance money. He also collected his bet from Ned Feeley, because Ned was a good sport and after all, it couldn't be said that the lad hadn't made money from his writing. There was another inducement, too. Harold promised to go back to farming, which he did, and has been doing so every since." pre Th® When Sewing Was Popular During the Eighteenth century, when all clothes were made by hand and there were few forms of feminine recreation, sewing was popular as a pastime for women of leisure. Encourages Care of Equipment A Cleveland airparts company encourages its employees to keep machinery clean by painting the equip- Jalightcolors, Life 46 Million Tears Ago The discovery in Wyoming of what are believed .to be the only hoofprints ever round of any of the mammals which roamed the earth during the Tertiary period was recently announced. This traces life back to 40,000,000 years. It's Easy and Thrifty to Make Your Own Defense Work Outfits 'Scrapout' Birmingham, Ala., held a "scrapout" recently, with air raid wardens supervising a drive which netted 279 tons of metal and rubber. By CHERIE NICHOLA§ Pili Twice Told Tales *t Inter--t Taken *e TOm of PlaindealNR ef Tears Ago '- : -- been sold to Allen Walsh. Price paid, $1,200. John Heimer is treating the front of his building to a new coat of paint, and when completed it'will be the handsomest front in town. TWENTY YEARS AGO Paint's War Uses little known ways paint has gone to war--the inside of a combat tank is painted white to help the crew see better, bombs and shells are finished in different colors for instant identification, zinc yellow priming coat is used instead of red lead on aluminum alloy metal surfaces, particularly those coming in contact with .salt water, such,, as pontoons. ,, - • Vertical and Rash GrtM The weather-resistance of 1 paint is approximately proportional to the angle that the grain of the wood makes with the surface, i.e., a wood surface with a vertical grain holds paint much better than wood with a slash-grained surface. Subscribe to The Plaindealer! 1,000 Plaits The fighter command of the RAF has carried out operations which have paralleled the 1,000-borober raids over Cologne and Essen, and which hgve sometimes involved Edward Brefeld, who until a short time ago was employed at the West Side Gash & Carry grocery store, has gone to Chicago, where he has secuted employment. ; ' U 1,000 fighters in one day. .... Floyd Thompson is now employed • . ; . by the Chicago Telephone company^]; v with, headquarters in Chicago: ! _ Ascription Secret* - ^ - The band is putting in some lerv I T° ^serve ** *?recy of their fine rehearsals in anticipation of the medicin<i s°m<; -°ndon specialists ' concert to be given at the Empire ®re Prescribing theatre in'December. • ; • • ^ J.. P. Weber and his gang of work- ^ . men last wefek pyt in the ndw front VICTORY BUY UNITED STATES WAR BONDS AND STAMPS in the M. A. Thelen building on the .West. Side.. : Order your ChiistmaA Cards ' from; The Plaindealerv * , , C ^ THIRTY YEARS AGO^ OW that the debs and the subdebs, the college girl and her endless chain of sorority sisters, the career girl and the glamour girl and the housewife have gone wholeheartedly into intensive worlc to win this war they are finding themselves confronted with a work clothes need entirely new to them. Bt'Trig employed by the thousands in industrial plants and on farms and in countless other war activities, taking the place of men as they are in wartime industries, women are coming to know that they must have clothes that stress utmost simplicity, are washable, have no excess fullness to catch in machinery jret allow for the utmost freedom of action. Slacks and overalls must fit snugly at the ankle, fabrics must be sturdy, for there must be nothing to hinder work. However, there is another essential that must not be overlooked. It's the stimulus that comes to women workers when they know that the clothes they wear are as smart and becoming as they are purposeful and efficient. To that end there is special emphasis placed on the use of bright color, and there are many intriguing accessories like gay little dickeys and'bright blouses. An interesting and most significant reaction to. this call for suitable work apparel is seen in the encouragement it has given to women to make sewing a thrifty hobby, the more so in that wash materials are so inexpensively available with the excellent, well-styled patterns and modern sewing machine equipment, even beginners at the sewing game can count on doing a professional job. Having one of the new thermoplastic dress forms that is molded into a twin of your figure will prove a wonderful aid in turning out clothes that fit. The garments pictured in the above illustration have been selected as especially suited for farm work The McHenry newspaper route which until a short time ago was the property of John R. Knox, and of late in the hands of J. C. Holly, has been purchased by Alfred Krause. Butter was declared firm " at 32 eients on the Elgin board of trade Monday. Wm. Spencer has purchased two lots in the Hanly addition to McHenry. We understand that Mr. Spencer will build himself a new home next spring. John R. Knox, the automobile man, has taken the ajrency for the Empire ! automobile. The Empire is a handor factory assignments. The all-in-; some looking car and should be a one uniform centered in the group g0od seller. is one of the smart defense outfits ' McHenry, Illinois FRIDAY-SATURDAY William Powell • Hedy Lamarr "CROSS ROADS" Aljpo Cartoon and World News FORTY YEARS AGO and you yourself can make thriftily, or you can watch and learn while your work uniform is being cut and fitted for you at your local sewing cen-i t>r- Chamberlin, the dentist, ter. The slide fastener closing at wife are now housekeeping in the the ankles is an essential for pro- front rooms over Evanson's store. R. tection insisted upon in most fac- O. Lamphere occupies the rooms in tories. It is easy to insert if you the rear. use the zipper foot attachment that j The building occupied by Oliver comes in the modern sewing ma- Moore is being reshingled and otherchine kit. i wise improved. The Parks house oc- Factory worker and "farmerette" cupied by H. C. Mead, has received a will find smart practicality in a ; fresh coat of paint SUN.-MON., NOV. 29-30 Clark Gable - Lana Turner "SOMEWHERE I'LL FIND YOU" Also Cartooft, News and Musical Bradford Smith has sold his farm of thirty-eight acres to Jos. Blake for , a consideration of $100 per acre. FIFTY YEARS AGO jumper overall and shirtwaist outfit like that shown to the left. Not only does it give opportunity to wear different colorful shirtwaists, but there. is special comfort and convenience in the suspender-type oversized pockets through which the wide ,• ,R B!gho ig repairin|r his rtllW <km, leather belt is drawn, thus providing j jt { gh any safekeeping for unpoi^nt workmg ; f. may come during the gadgets. pocket edges are re-| winter an(j spring. inforced with firm, stitched edges. | R c MeJ ^ ^ Everybody has been talking about ; bert D Ellison of Marengo, are at victory gardens, and now tha^ the..;0maha this week a8 delegates to the "yellow pumpkin is on the vine it s meetjng 0f the Modern Woodmen of high time to gather in. the harvest. ; America While you are collecting your vita- Marri;d_At the church in Johns_ mins grown right in your own back burg Wednesd morning, Nov. 23, yard or are serving your country as , lg9 the Father Mehri a "farm hand, you will be feeling T „„.i iu!.. -iw TUESDAY -- NOTICE! In order to save war supplies and rubber, this theatre will be closed on Tuesday of each week! The Beautiful I'lTOVAl! mm CRYSTAL LAKE. ILL. McHcwry Co'i. Leading Theatre THURS. - FRI., NOV. 26 - 27 Matinee Thurs., Thanksgiving Day Snndav Schedule and Prices GIANT TWIN BILL Shirley Temple. Guy Kibee in * "MISS ANNIE ROONEY* John Hubbard. Tom Brown in "YOUTH ON PARADE" SATURDAY, NOV. 28 One Day Only! Marshal Hunt, Richard Carlson ir AFFAIRS OF MARTHA" John Carroll. Ruth Husser in "PIERRE OF THE PLAINS" SUN & MON.. NOV. 29 - SO Sunday. Continuous from 2:45 William Powell, Hedv Lamarr in "CROSS ROADS" With Basil Rathbone. Claire Trevor A Big Star. Studded Cast Plus "Hitler's Plan" and Cartoon 18c TUESDAY 10c Tax 3e_ SPECIAL Tfcx lc Jed Prouty and "Elviry" in •THE OLD HOMESTEAD" WED. & THURS., DEC. 2vl Leslie Howard in C •MISTER V* comfortable and fit if you wear a blue-and-white striped cotton twill suit that opens at the back. This trim coverall really covers you from head to foot and fastens at the ankles to keep out dirt and bugs. And how it washes and comes back all new and fresh looking! The matching visor can go right into the tub along with the coverall. JUUa--d by Wtittxa Nt wipap«r Union. Workaday Dress The designer of this smart blue and white striped cotton jumper frock did" a grand piece of work. Evidently the thought in mind was to provide a suit convenient and prettily feminine for the girl draftsman who may soon be called to active duty in defense industries. Its intriguing double front pocket holds pencils, a little ruler and T-square and other instruments. It buttons smartly down the side and is most intriguingly detailed. Worn with its flattering white pique blouse, it is ever so goodlooking. For a change have a blue percale waist in reserve and a gay printed one, too, done in blue and white. ^ New Designs Use Wool With Velvet Some of the best looking fashions brought out this season feature velvet and wool combinations. Especially successful are the black-onblack effects. One of the ways designers are employing this combination is in connection with the new ! bow dresses, the skirt drape of ( which fastens over to one side with j the bodice tied with a big bow at one shoulder. Instead of self fabric j bows, velvet is used, and the effect j is most gratifying. It is very ef- : fective, too, in jacket suits when the jacket is paneled down the front < with an inset of velvet. Another • method of working velvet with wool is to contrast the crepe or wool waist : or one-piece dress with velvet j sleeves, or with a velvet yoke. Very smart black gowns of the ' new slender type are finished off at the neckline with a ruche arrangement of velvet corresponding to the ruche of velvet about the narrow hemline. Buttons of velvet and bindings and inset horizontal bands also contribute chic to the new : styles. Coats as well as dresses are ' velvet-trimpied. A simple black frock worn with velvet hat and gloves either in black or dolor' is topnetch fashion this fall. WEDNESDAY - THURSDAY MISS ANNIE ROONEY" (Don't Forget That Thurs. Event) We are in a position to meet every roftsonab!* call, promptly Jacob Justen Sons Funeral Directors Phone McHenry 103-R Residence, McHenry 112-W Green Street, corner Sim -- McHenry SIXTY YEARS AGO The house occupied by F. K. Graft ger and owned by John C. Smith, has John J. Bishop and Miss Ann& Tonyan, both of McHenry. Miss C. B. Owen has gone to NeW York, where she has opened a studio near Central Park. Miss Owen is one of the finest artists in the country. Drawstrings Close Bags, Blouses and Even Skirts A new theme has arisen in the realm of costume design, namely drawstring fashions. And now that the vogue is under way style creators are turning out skirts that are drawn to fit at the waistline, blouses with drawstring necklines, pouch bags that have a drawstring instead of a zip fastening. Even gloves and hats are subscribing to the drawstring technique. Production Up 36 Per Cent The labor-management committee in the Westinghouse Elevator company, Jersey City, N. J., reported to War Production Drive headquarters that production is apjKQXj& aately 36 per cent over quote Most Powerful Station The most powerful radio station is station RW-1 in Soviet Russia which has a frequency of 172 kilocycles and operates on 600,000 watts. L ' Good Definition "A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read."--Mark Twain. Not the End "'Death only closes a man's reputation and determines it as good orr bad."--Joseph Addison. Textile School The largest textile school in the world is at Norflf Carolina State college, Raleigh. ORDER YOUR gards NOW! In Time to MAIL EARLY A personalized greeting card shows thought and good wiH! Be sure to soft The Plaindealer Display and order yours now! You'll want them in time to mail for Christmas delivery to the boys and girls oversea! --- as well as to sweethearts, mothers, dads, sisters and brothers over here. Assortment No. 1--21 Greeting Folders, all different design*. Very beautiful, with name imprinted,, for onlj^, Assortment No 200--20 Greeting Cards, a selection of Mast#* piece Oilette Christmas Greetings, with name imprinted -..i* Assortment No, 50-~A very nice^selection of Greeting Folders--. 5 folders each of 10 designs, with name imprinted--. Also we have a complete line of beautiful greeting cards at reasonable prices, Irom whieli you can select your choice in various quantities. New and different;.- ; -.'h All Greeting Folders come with onrelopes to match. McHENRY PLAINDEALER - ' j