Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-23

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plight of tbs knight errant?"
I'm the itt place." said, who is he;
Do you beliege his story? What sort oil
n person wa{ his fsther?"
Three QUESTIONS in one breath! The
last is the easiest to answer. This young
mans fathenwas one OF the wealthles'
bankers in New York fifteen years ago
knew him gell-a man who was the
very soul of honor, shrewd and liberal
in his business notions, and in his bear
ing the pattern of finished gentleman
-one of your genuine aristocrats, and,
like his son, a bit OF a dandy. He came
TO grief, as % many of us do, through
misplaced confidence. Certain parties
whom he truted implicitly made wreck
of his entire fortune. 1t was said at the
time that he might have saved a large
portion OF 1t had he been willing TO take
advantage Of a legal technicallty as
against his creditors. But, as his son
said, he preferred 10 remain honest. lie
died not macy years ago, and left TINS
boy very little, fancy, but an unfair
nished name OF the son | know really
nothing. | hive never seen him before.
He is not Unlike his father in appear
ance, and is even more fastidious IN MS
dress. That may be from oravado, oil
course. Whit he says about gentlemen
not having Il fair chance in this country
has certain amount OF truth In IT,
"A great deal OF truth, it seems 70
me-" | answered.
every likely. But 1t Is to be borne In
mind that thu so-called gentlemen have
heavy score against them in the past.
They have had their innings; and now
that they are out, democracy is not dlS-
posed 10 let them off too easily. The
sins of the forefatherS being visited on
the children Is proverb as stable as the
hills in its logical results"
Eyes. But do you not think 1t is
cruel to turn the cold shoulder on a man
merely because he dresses well?"
Undoubtedly. But they have them
selves TO blame for it. The world has
not yet got accustomed to the idea that
a man with fiawless coat on his back
means to do anything. Not so very
long ago Sucha thing was unknown. l
am willing TO admit that when the gen.
tlemen consent to work they make the
best workers: but the burden OF evil
dence, as we lawyers say, Is On them. y
1.-THE world refuses TO believe because
IL is euvious. There isn't one OF the
business men who decline To give Mr..
Prime a chance wIo wouldn't give half
his fortune 60 be like him il he could. "
You are philosopher rs well AS a
phllanthropist, young lady, | see. You
may not be far wrong. But II Mr.
Prime knew what a champion ne has
he would cease TO despair. You asked,
I think, If I believed his story. 1t is
quite evident what your opinion is, y
said Mr.. Cnelm, with laugh.
Very well, then, I do believe 1t; and
| want TO help him"
Romance against the lawyers. la.
ha."
II am very determined young per
son when | make up my mind. You
cannot laugh me out of IL, Mr.. Chem"
"Heaven Forbid But what do you
propose to do?'
Give hiin chance"
The lawyer rubbed his chin reflect
lively. 81 am perfectly willing 10 re-
sign in his favor, but otherwise l know
of no vacancy either in your or my gift
to FILL" he said, with smile.
II cannot spare you yet. l have an
other plan"
And that?"
"A very romantic one, as you have
predicted. l propose to set him up in
business"
GAS gentleman"
"He is that already. No, as bank
err"
Indeed"
"What do you think of my idea?"
81 have heard only the beginning OF
it. 1t is natural enough to feel the in
clination to set a handsome young man
up as banker; but fail to comprehend
vet the details Of tie scheme"
II shall leave them to you"
"To me? But l regret to say, Miss
Harlan, that / know Of no banking
house at present that would employ the
services OF this embryo merchant
prince"
"Oh, but you don't or you won't I'M
derstand me. What l propose is to
found banking house and to furnish
the capital myself"
"What" Mr.. Chelm leaned back in
his chair and laughed heartily. This
is romance with vengeance. Would
were twenty-five, and in search OF occu-
pationl. And what, pray, is to be the
name of the new concern? Harlan and
Prime? or Virginia Harlan and Com
pany? / am confident it will be part
nership for life."
"Francis Prime and Company, OF
course. will not submit to be laughed
at, Mr.. Chelm. This is serious bust
ness matter"
ooh, most certainly! Thoroughly
busnesslike in every sense My dear
young lady, ii you expect me to preserve
my legal gravity you must not be SO
humorous; it is beyond the self control
of even afusty conyeyancer. And what
part in this financial idyl am lexpectcd
TO play?"
''You are to arrange it all. l am ia
furnish the money and remain strictly
incognito. That is the first and essen
tial condition impose"
WHAT Mr.. Prime is not to know
the name of his benefac tresS?'
''On no account whatever"
''He will be sure to search the earth
until he finds her"
Not il be be made to believe she /:
ancient and homely. Besides, how is he
TO know it is wOman2"
Forgive me. Miss Harlan, but no one
except a woman could invent such
project. 1t fairly takes my breath
away. How much OF your capital do you
propose TO embark in the enteprise-tht
whole four millions?'
mo, Mr.. Chelm l am not utterly
irrational yet. That is one OF the points
l mean to leave to your discretion.
merely insist that he shall not bC
scrimped. DO not think, however, thai