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Home My WebLink AboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1940-12-25, Page 6AVEBNESDAY, DEC. 25th, 1QIO THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE 15 SOLDIERS’ LETTERS Letters from Soldiers in England To the War Time Board 5x8111 SYNOPSIS Lyle Putnam is planning to mar ry Jill Morton, although he is des perately infatuated with Valeria Brooke, ambitious showgirl, who is not interested in marrying a poor man. John Morton,, Jill’s father, has reluctantly agreed to the mar riage, although he is well aware that Lyle is marrying his daugh ter for money. Joan Merrill, an old school friend of Jill’s has come to Chicago, asking for help in get ting work which she needs badly since her father’s death. Three days before the wedding Lyle re ceives notice that he has inherit ed money from an obscure cousin’s estate. Now Read On Quit of the Fast from earliest conven- Gravesend. Lyle unfamiliar. His Was that the woman—his fumbled through family •the one who had mar- Masefield. oncewas Lyle had with des- .Lyle snatched the letter his pocket, reread it, lingering greedily on every syllable. “San (Francisco attorneys, Meadows and Dillon—estate of your deceased cousin, Amanda Lyle Gravesend— •our office—your fence.” Amanda Lyle found the name cousin, mind , chronology- ried what Alexandra Lyle Putnam was pleased to call “beneath her social stratum”? Clutching the letter desperately as though all else was a dream and the little typed communication his only link with reality, Lyle lifted the telephone from its cradle and spoke a magic number into the waiting instrument. A few clicks— brisk efficient voice chipping off syllables like so many granite edges —and he was connected with the law offices of Raynes, Baldwin and Gilbertson. (When the telephone more prone and mute, forged an appointment tiny. Cranston C. Baldwin. Esq., cordial and subtly congratulatory, would receive Mr. Putnam at 12.3 0 In one hour—one—hour — sixty minutes—'3 600f seconds. In the Fitting Room While Lyle dreamed of limitless legacies, his fiancee stood fidgeting in the fitting room of Morton’s Inc., and Raoul the designer made mys tic signs over what would eventu ally be her wedding gown. Joan Merrill sat smoking in the corner of the room, surveying the scene with bored eyes. Jill lifted an amused brow in her friend’s di rection, Raoul danced about, a dapper, outraged little figure. The fitter bowed before the storm like a wary willow and engaged himself in transferring pins with speed. “This,” said Jill, with erent giggle, ‘‘is what getting fitted for a wedding Raoul’s sharp little effeminate face contorted. His S’s poured from between clenched teeth with all rhe vehemence of a peanut whistle. “Miss Morton,” he hissed drama tically, “this is to be the most glam orous, the most magnificent wed ding dress in the city, no, whole United States. The tion of Morton’s is at stake, not have one single stitch by—'by—” incredible an irrev- they call gown.” in the reputa- I will spoiled Joan Wants a Job “I’m tired, Raoul,” Jill complain ed. “This goes on practically ev ery day,” she confided to Joan. “They stick pips in me from all directions. The dress suits me, but not Raoul. The veil is just what I want, but R-aoul glares at it. Honestly, you might think—” “Serves you right,” Joan was un sympathetic, “for having so much money. WhenT’m married I’ll pro bably pick up my dress at a rum mage sale.” With obvious reluctance, Raoul released Jill. The fitter gratefully vanished. “If Dad ever loses his money,” Jill said, shrugging a partially paralyzed shoulder, “I ought to be able to get a job modelling. I’ve been a. human clothes horse -for weeks.” “Speaking of jobs,” Joan’s voice was quietly intense, “I meant what I said about needing work, Jilt.” Jill turned from the mirror, comb in hand, “But I thought-—” “Dad lost practically everything in ’29,” Joan was matter of fact “We’ve lived on what was left ever since. Now that Dad’s gone—” an eloquent shrug. “Mother can al ways live with Aunt Ellen. But I’d rather be on my own. You don’t get much jam on the bread of char ity, Jill.” Jill said thoughtfully. “I never thought of it like that. Of course, if you really want a pob—” ’ .loan Needs a Job Joan leaned forward in her chair, ‘‘I really need a job, Jill. I don’t by ANNE MARY LAWLER lllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll pounded through Jill’s brain, strain of preparation had tell on her. There were things to do, and so little the doing, Thursday morning had 11111IT The begun to so many time for brought a particularly exhausting session in the fitting room. Lunchless, Jill had rushed to the station to put Joan Merrill on the train. Back into town for a millinery confer- Odds and ends of shopping sighed in disappointment, stay be- I’ve The lllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllliillll ( want to be a social hanger-on. I i suppose I could visit here and there. 11 still have some friends left, but { that’s no good. I've got to get away from the old life—far enough away that I can’t see and be bitter about what I’ve lost. I want to get into the business world. I’m young, I’m good-looking in the intelligent fashion that isn’t fashionable these days. I have brains. I want to get into Morton’s in New York.” Jill seized her friend’s arm, hug ged it. affectionately. “I’ll get Dad to write you a letter.” “Thanks.” Joan’s voice was grateful. “Now I’ll have to hurry if I want to make that train.” Jill “I’d counted on having you over till the wedding. Won’t ing a bridesmaid tempt you?” Joan laughed. “Not much, been a bridesmaid too often, truth of the matter is I came West with Clara Overton and her mother. They paid my way in return for which I’m official nursemaid with instructions not to let the little darling cramp her mother’s roman tic style. I wouldn’t have had a chance to visit you, only Clara’s grandmother had her yesterday and today. There’s so much humility in being a hanger-on, Jill. That’s why I want to get a real job.” “I know.” Jill was thoughtful “Now don’t you worry. I’ll work on ’Dad tonight. He’ll give you a le,- ter that’ll get you a job, or I’ll know why. What will he say in the letter? Anything in particular?” “It doesn’t really matter Joan’s voice was cool and “His signature is about all Tell him I want a job—any job—doing anything, proud, am scrupulously honest, personally fastidious and not afraid of hard work. I draw the line on only one thing—entertaining visiting buyj-y ers. I’m not sure whether visiting buyers are ever entertained, only know what I see in the vies.” “I’ll tell him to spread it thick,” Jill promised, right on to you.” “There’s no terrible hurry,” Joan said. “I’ll be with the Overton’s for a few days. Mrs. Overton is inter ested in a Detroit band leader right now. When you come to New York to sail on your honeymoon will be time enough.” “It seems funny to hear you say that—honeymoon.” Jill’s voice was muted and gentle. “Just think— this time next week I’ll be Mrs. Lyle Putnam, on the high seas bound for Rio de Joan’s glance “Terribly in love, ence. to be accomplished. It was midafternoon when Jill finally returned home and the house, upset and disorganized though it was, welcomed her outstretched arms. She flung self on the bed, careless of bright, unblemished spread, threw her hat on the floor, head ached. Her feet burned, bones shrieked for rest. “So this,” Jill said getting married.” The door opened Aunt Lucy appeared ing tray of letters. Jill glanced at them with a shudder, “Take them away!” she cried wildly. “Start a bonfire with them. Or rip them up for confetti. They’re all alike. Everybody wants to sell me something—insurance, houses, property, cars, furniture— Aunt Lucy, if this keeps up I’m go ing stark, ( raving mad.” “You’re not eating enough,” Lucy worried. “You’ll be sick.” An Idea, at That with ber th e and Her He? to herself, “is timidly, and with a heap- On Nov. 9th Corporal Rose wrote: sillX'oi* tli0 sw^ll gifts. It is things like this that remind us of the fine people we are fighting for back home. You are putting a lot of effort into your kind endeavors. I am happy to announce a couple of promotions so I am now Corporal Rose. En closed is a snap of myself and Pla toon N.C.O.’s. Thanks again to all those who make up your organiza tion.” Sapper I). W. Pritchard on Nov. Sth: “I want to thank you for the cigarettes and parcel you were so kind to send me. It is nice to think that back home there are people Who think of us boys overseas. It means more than you will ever know. Your gifts were deeply ap preciated.” Private V. C. Smith on Nov. 9 th wrote: “I wish to thank the ladies of your committee for the parcel 1 received last week.” Private I. L. Harness on Nov. 6 says on a post card; “I received parcel and tobacco. Appreciate both very much. Letter will fol low.” Signalmair Reg. Taylor under date of Nov. 7tli writes: “ just re ceived your more than welcome cigarettes—the first I have got in England. It seems very hard for the boys to get used to English to bacco, so a few of our own good smokes are welcome indeed. We are having real English weather— rain every day and a little sunshine with it, but it could be worse. The one bad feature is the eternal wait ing. Oiur idea is to get going and over with so we can get back home. England is alright hut I think we left ‘a better country.” Private Harness, writing to the women who made up the parcels, says on Nov. 6 th: “I received the lovely parcel, and I send my very sincere thanks to everyone (con cerned, and I know I voice the opin ion of all the other chaps. We are in a different place since I last wrote. It is a large city on the coast. The salt air seems to give one a great appetite. In two months I have put on a great deal of weight. The other boys are fine as far as I know. Bill Servent is with me, while Jane Lindenfield and Red Hunter are about 27 miles away, but on account of the restrict ed areas we do not see each other but we may be together again before long, according to rumor.” Pte. Jack Brintnell on Nov. 7th wrote: ‘*1 received your parcel last night and I want to thank you one and all for everything. There is not much news to write about as you see it ip the papers and hear it. over the radio. Our air raids still continue. The air raid alarm sounds sometimes as many as ten times a day. It generally sounds about seven in the evening and comes as regularly as the clock— most of the time they last all night. There are less alarms lately. I guess the R.A.F. has them on the run. At least I hope so. We have been pretty busy with our training late ly—drills, route marches and guards. The route marches are from 20 to 30 miles—a long march when you are in full fighting or der.” A CHRISTMAS BRAYER Rev. W. E. Domelly, B.A. * * * Lord, make my heart Thy welcome inn, A table spread for Thee alway; Great Guest adored eome dwell within, While bells of Christmas ring Thy day. Lord, make my mind Thy shining star, To rim with gold the clouds of doubt; ; K Sending the rays of truth afar, The darkness and the fear to rout. Lord, make my life Thy cheering song, As angels chanted from above; To drive out hate and greed and wrong, To make earth glad with peace and love. Thus may I keep Thy birthday Lord, With shepherd’s faith and magi’s love, My feeble gifts to Thee outpoured, That Thou canst give them from above. FUNERAL AT BRUCEFIELD OF SOLOMON KIPPER The funeral of Solomon Kipfer of Brucefield, took place from Brucefield United Church. Rev. H. E. Wright officiated, assisted by Rev. W. A. Brenner, of Seaforth. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. And rew L. Kipfer, the departed man was born in Hay Township in June, < 1871. He was married to Rachel | Schwartzentruber also of Hay she I’vemucli.” candid. I need, kind of I’m no.t You might mention that I I mo on “I’ll send it i i on the high Janeiro,.” was searching, aren’t you?” Legacy “Did you say—” Lyle felt the words grow dry and crumbling in his throat—“did you say—$50,- Baldwin balanced his fingertips against each other. “At 00 0. You’re a very young man ” Lyle nodded dumbly. Baldwin expanded. ing document, Mrs. < will. hatred to the other side of the tomb, if I understand correctly/ From her San Francisco attorneys I gather that Mrs. Gravesend was in the nature of a family outcast. Some twenty-year-old scandal. Her marriage was not gladly received by her family. She was read out of the tribe and all that. She never forgave her relatives. Her husband died some years ago and she had nO‘ children. She hated all her re lations bitterly and was determin ed none of them should possess a penny of her money. She made a number of wills leaving everything to charity. what was left swayed her. one who had ting her.” “I was only Lyle said. “I hardly remember any thing about the affair.” Baldiwn laughed. “Your own good luck, because she’s made you her heli—outright—with the ex ception of a few minor old servants. You are tunate young man.” “I know I am,” Lyle ly. “Mr. Baldwin- a great difference in my life.” The lawyer smiled broadly. ready-made future for you.” ‘‘More than that.” Lyle seemed suddenly to grow taller, older, more assured. “It’s freedom, Mr. Bald win, Freedom. Do you mind if I use your phone,” “Not at all. Good news asks to be spread.” But Lyle was not listening. Up was speaking to a number. John Morton would have recognized that number. It was Valerie Jill sat upright. “That,” announced, “is the best idea heard in weeks. I’m going to have me a nice nervous }breakdow*n. Then I can be carried in a nice, white, silent hospital room, dress ed in a nice, white, restraining straightjacket., -with not an ush er or a bridesmaid or a best man to give me hysterics. Do you know what’s been happening today?” “Enough, I suppose.” “One of the bridesmaids is sick —grip—in bed for at least a week, the doctor says. Aline McIntyre. So we have to get somebody to take her place. I finally grabbed off Lee Water and rushed her down to Raoul for. fittings. Lee is aboui ten pounds lighter than Aline, st' Raoul has his hands full.” “That’s a shame,” Aunt Lucy was sympathetic. “Shame is no word for it. But that’s not all. Kit Canbv-—the best man—is running all over town crocked to the gills.” Aunt Lucy looked puzzled. “Crocked. Boiled. Squiffled Soused, Any of the words meaning- one who has looked on the wine when it is red,” Jill explained. “He’ll probably get himself into a scrape and Dad will have to go down and bail him out. And then, to even worse, the complaining. Do Emily Archer said least $50.- fortunafp “I don’t know, but $50,000! “An amaz- document, Mrs. Gravesend’s Amazing. A case of carrying make matters bridesmaids are you know what this afternoon?” ■Lucy smiled. it’s bound to be—what do they say in Hollywood?—colossal.” ■ /Jill underlined the words with a mincing lisp. “Emily said, ‘Why do bw.ides always dwess the wed ding potty like something out of a circus. Just to attwac attention to themselves? I thought you’d be diffwent. Jill.” Lucy remem- “I left it downstairs, when Then toward the end, of her family pride You were the only no part irf humilia- a boy at the time,” bequests to a very for- said humb- •this will make CHAPTER V “Thursday,” said the ''Three days until the “A Brooke’s, calendar, wedding,” frenzied “It’s it.” niece’s fingers, “Af- a nap, you’ll hand. bound fore- Telegram for Jill “A telegram came,” bered tardily. I’ll ask Elsa to bring it up she brings the tea.” Jill waved a “Don’t,” she moaned, to be bad news. Bury Lucy stroked her head with cool, gentle ter you have tea and feel better.” The door opened cautiously and a plump woman sidled in, bearing a tray. “Why, Elsa—with food.” Jill sprang up, “you must be a mind-reader, darling.” “I said to myself when you came in, I bet Miss Jill didn’t have no lunch,’ so I brought some up. And there’s the telegram that came in about half an hour ago.” Severely. “You’ll have to eat it, Miss Jill. You’ll be sick if you don’t.” Elsa set the tray on the night table. “Eat what, Elsa? The lunch the telegram? Everybody seems be worried that I'm going to sick.” Elsa smiled, a fat, agreeable smile, that brought all her chins into motion. ‘‘Can’t have a wedding without a bride, Miss Jill, no, nor without a groom, neither. You eat that there lunch and if there’s anything else—” the moon face was framed briefly in the doorway— “let me know.” She thudded 'pon derously down the stairs. Jill rubbed her hands together over the tray. “Food,” she gloated. “I’d forgotten what It tasted like. Here, Aunt Lu, join me in a chop.” (TO BE CONTINUED) or to he i Township, where they carried on farming for a few years before mov ing to Zurich where he had a ■con fectionery business .for four years. He then learned the tra'de of bar- bering and moved with his family ten years ago to Brucefield, He is survived by his widow, one daugh ter, Mrs. Andrew Sturgeon and one son Lee, of St. Thomas; also three brothers, Rev. Menno Kipfer and Jacob Kipfer of Tavistock, and Moses Kipfer, Kitchener, and two sisters, Mrs. D. Shrag, Leonardville, New York and Mrs, S. Nafziger, Vulcan, Alberta. The pallbearers were Ross Scott, Hugh Berry, J. McCully, Basil CRourke, John Cor- nishand John Snider; flower bear ers, W. Scott, A. Mustard, J. Mc Cully, Glen Swan. Interment took place in Bayfield cemetery. Friends from a distance attending the fun eral were from Kitchener, Tavi stock, Zurich. Blake, Dashwood, Varna Nagging, Dragging Pains In the Back Many women have to do their own. housework, and. the constant bend ing over, lifting, making beds,, sweeping, ironing, sewing, so neces sary to perform their household duties puts a heavy strain on the back and kidneys, and if there were' no kidney weakness the back would be strong and well. Doan’s Kidney Pills help to give relief to weak, backache, kidney suf fering women. Doan’s Kidney Pills are put up in an oblong grey box with our trad© mark a 1 ‘ Maple Leaf ’ ’ on the wrapper. Don’t accept a substitute. Be sure and get “Doan’s.” “In many respects the Bell Telephone Company is a model for other large public services. It has been unceasing in its efforts to improve its .equipment, spread its net of communication and in sure continuous and courteous service.” —Kingston Whig Standard "The Bell Telephone Company has ever been in the forefront in making available to the public every improvement that science has discovered. Today it stands as a monument of efficiency and devoted public service . . —Montreal Star "The Bell Telephone Company has advanced to be one of the finest public service corporations in the world, that state ment having regard to the service it renders the public and the treatment it affords to the thousands of employees if takes care of. —St. Catharines Standard "It has always kept pace with the times and with the startling improvements in telephony that have periodically made. their appearance as the result of research activities, and it is to-day better equipped than ever to meet the de mands made upon it and to render that service for which it is renowned. —Brookville Recorder & Times "The general public is not very articulate about such anni versaries, but nevertheless we believe that all Canadians take pride in the celebration of tho Bell Telephone Company’s 60th Annivetsaty. —Brampton Conservator "The company has earned the reputation of being one of the most efficient organizations in the country, and its em ployees have developed a sense of public obligation which make them always courteous and helpful. The Bell Telephone Company is a striking example of what can be done by effi ciently organized co-operation in public service ...” —Barrie Examiner "It has helped convert Canada from a purely agricultural coun try into one that is largely industrial. It has changed the country side from a lonely panorama of isolated farms into a community of neighbors. It has speeded up business everywhere.” —London Free Press "The Bell Telephone Company of Canada is an instance of a private corporation providing a public service — of necessity a monopoly — in such a manner as to avoid criticism almost altogether. —Orillia Packet-Times "It is one of the finest of opr privately owned public utilities, and at times may almost be said to perform miracles." —Toronto Star Weekly The T. Milburn Co., Ltd., Teronto, Ont. ft •N the 3 •h: $ zj; . . we pause at sonnel of this Company, o..__ towards speeding up the efficiency making of progress in many ways in this has done in all districts, in Canada.” ~HuntilwJon Cl^r Bell Telephone Company it a splendid example of well’ 'tmtejy-owncd monopoly, just as anxious to please as in the business and giving service at a lower did have competitors’’ —Newmarket Era % I"*,''; llllliilil Encouragement once in a while heartens the spirit, makes you feel your efforts are appreciated. This year — our 60th Anniversary — has been for us a memorable one. There has been praise and apprecia tion. Editors, executives, men and women throughout community we serve have come forward with kind words and best wishes for our future. Some typical comments are reproduced at left. Every telephone worker feels deeply grateful for these expressions of goodwill, confidence and friendship. We all hope that we may continue to deserve the approval which has been so widely expressed. GEO. W. LAWSON,