The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-12-24
CHAPTER Y.

When Pearson reached Scraggs' Office
he found the ageat alone. He was sit
ting at his desl.. with his pen stuck
above his car and with his face buried
in his hands. 1t was evident from his
attitude and his listlcss manner that he
was deeply cngrossed in study.
''lIatching up some scheme for plum
dering these poor DEVILS" Harry
thought as he halted for a
moment in the open door to con-
template Scraggs. Hes got some
deep laid plan at work. and whatever it
is it'll bring few thousands to his
pocket at the expense of the settlers
At that moment Scraggs looked up,
and his eyes met those of Harry Pear
son.
BEG pardon, Mr.. Scraggs. l didn't
mean to intrude, SO ii your meditations
are sacred Ill withdraw"
Come in and sit down. Scraggs
said in reply. Il was meditating, and
seriously, too, but my thoughts were Of
you, and / am glad you came"
lila, you are faithful agent,
Scraggs. Always got my interests in
mind, and forever studying out some
plan for advancing them. What new
scheme are you working up now?'
Il am not working up any scheme,
Mr.. Pearson"
Yet you were thinking of me. How
does that Gomez
Il was thinking Of you in an entirely
different connection"
What connection, then?'
"Why, in connection with those
Greens. 1t has come across my mind
that there is some deep purpose in your
action"
"Ha. ha! Is it possible that Scraggs
has got his mind of financial matters
long enough to let thought of some.
thing so foreign creep in? Come,
Scraggs, stick to the per cent and the
commissions, and don't go to muddling
your brain about things that don't
concern you and that will never put a
dollar in your pocket. It amt in your
line, Scraggs, and you'd better let il
alone"
Ordinarily, Pearson, don't NEEDLE
much with things that don't directly
concern me. / am counted heartless
and unfeeling, and have been cursed
from Dan to Beersheba by everybody
who has had any dealings with me, and
as general thing people are not to
blame. They have had room for swear.
ing, and not knowing that there was a
monkey in the case are not to blame
for swearing at the cut whose paw has
been used to rake the chestnuts from
the fire. But l suppose ought not to
complain. am paid for my work, and
it is my duty to shoulder the blame that
attaches to it and take the curses il
brings down on my head. Anyhow,
am willing to go on with that; but am
not willing to be a party to a worse
crime, and, by George, won't Ie.
say. won't be, and mean it,"
Are you through with your sermon,
Scraggs?"
"For the present. yes"
''Then may ask what deep crime you
refuse to be party .o?'
Eyes, you may. It's the crime you
contemplate against those Greens; or
rather against Green's girl"
Parsons CAGE flushed and spark OF
anger lighted his eyes. For an instant
he gazed steadily ut Scraggs, then slow
~ let his glance fall to the floor 1t was
some time before he spoke, and when he
did he said:
mr.. Scraggs, are you aware what
your words imply?"
Il am, most certainly" replied
Scraggs, land they imply nothing but
the truth. / am not fool enough to
think that your actions towards Green
mean anything good. 1t would be
hard enough to believe that if your con-
duct in his presence was the only thing
to go by. 1t is not likely that you
would interest yourself in anyone's be-
half, unless You had a selfish iaotiye be-
hind it. 1t is not in your nature But
what makes your purpose more ap-
parent is the fact that while You are
making pretense of flvoring Green,
you are coming in here and command
| ing me to bear down on him. At my
expense you arc working yourself into
his good graces, and at the same time
getting him deeper and deeper into Your
| tolls. / know you, and l know your
purpose, Pearson, and | denouncc it.
Furthur, / refuse to be n party to it. II
is all right to rob and plumber these
| people with exorbitant interest, and to
break them up with wild speculations,
and SO long as it stops at that, will &c
with you; but when it comes to an at
tempt to rapthat innocent girl I'm out. ~
The young mans face changed color
alternately as he listened to this speech.
One moment it was ivid with anger
and the next flushed with q sense OF
shame. Once Or twice he made gestures
for Scraggs to stop, but the agent went
ON to the end.