Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1891-10-28
CHAPTER

riiE SERPENT SHOWS ira FANar
When Pearson reached Scraggs' Office
he found the agent alone. lie was sit.
ting Mt his desk. with his pen stuck
above his ear and with his face buried
In his hands. IL was evident from his
attitude and his listlcss manner that he
was deeply cngrosscd In study.
Matching mp some scheme for plum.
dcring these poor devils" Harry
thought rs he halted for a
moment In the open door 90 con.
template Scraggs. "Ilo's got some
deep laid plan NJ work and whatever II
n it'll bring few thousands Co his
pocket nj the expense OF the settlers"
AT that moment Scraggs looked up.
aud his eyes met those OF Harry Pear
son.
beg pardon, Mr.. Scraggs. didn't
mean 70 intrude, 30 IL your mcditations
are sacred III withdraw"
Come I'm and sit down" Scragra
said in reply. II was mcditating, and
seriously. too, but my thoughts were Of
you. and am glad you came"
fla, you are n faithful aren't.
Scraggs. Always got my interests in
mind. and forever studying out some
plan for advancing them. What new
scheme are you working up now?"
II am not working up any scheme.
Mr.. Pearson"
yet you were thinking OF me. How
does that comc?'
Il was thinking Of you in an entirely
different connection"
What connection, thcn?'
why, In connection with those
Greens. IL has come across nv mind
that there Is some deep purpose i'm your
action"
"IIa. hal TX 81 possible that ScrngRs
has got his mind of financial matters
long enough 20 let n thought of some
thing so foreign creep I'm? Come,
Scraggs, stick 20 the per cent and the
commissions, and don't go 70 muddling
your brain about things that don.
concern you and that will never put n
dollar in your pocket IL amt in your
line Scraggs, and you'd better let !,
alone"
Ordinarily, Pearson. I don't NEEDLE
much with things that don't directly
concern me. ! am counted hcartlcss
and unfccling, and have been cursed
from Dan go Bccrshcba by everybody
who has had any dealings with me. and
as general thing people are not 10
blame. They have had room for swear
ing, and not knowing that there was a
monkey In the ease are not so blame
for swearing 40 the eat whose paw has
been used 70 rake the chestnuts from
the fire. But ! suppose I ought not 90
complain. J am paid for my work, aud
II Is my duty 90 shoulder the blame that
attaches 90 IL and take the curses IL
brings down on my head. Anyhow, I
am willing 90 go on with that; but am
not willing 20 be n party 20 worse
crime, and, by George, I won't be.
say. / won't be, and mean it."
care you through with your sermon,
scraggs?"
For the present, yes"
Then may ask what deep crime you
refuse 20 be "a party to2'
YES, you may. It's the crime You
contemplate against those Greens. or
rather against Green's girl"
Pearson'a -acc flushed and spark Of
anger lighted his eyes. For an instant
he gazcd steadily NJ scraggs. then slow
~ let his glance fall 10 the floor. n was
some time before be spoke, and when he
did he said;
''Mr scraggs, are you aware what
your words ifnply?"
Il am, most certainly replied
Scraggs, 'aDd they imply nothing but
the truth. ! am not fool enough TO
think that your actions towards Green
mean anything good IL would be
hard enough 20 Relieve that IL your con.
duct Ia his presence was the only thing
e. 20 by. - Is not likely that Won
would interest yourself In anvonc's be-
half, unless you had a selfish motive be-
hind II. 10 Is not In your nature. But
what makes your purpose more ap-
parent Is the fact that while YOU are
making n prctcnse Of f4voring Green.
You are coming IN here and command
ing me % bear down on him. at nv
expense you are working yourself into
his good graces. and 81 the same time
getting him deeper and deeper into vonr
tolls. ! know you, and ! rnow vour
purpose, Pearson, and dcnOunce Il.
Furthur. j refuse % be a party 20 H. "a
Is oil right ~ rob and plumber these
people with cxOrbitant interest. and 10
break them up with wild spcculations.
and 50 long a. IL stops al that, I win 20
with You; but when II comes 20 an AZ.
tempt 20 trap that innocent girl I'm ont
The young man face changed coIcr
alternately AZ be listened 10 this speech.
One moment IL was livid with anger
and the next flushed with a sense Of
shame. "nce or twice he made gestures
for Scraggs TO stop, but the agent wen.
on 20 the end.
lro BIZ CONTINUED