The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-10-28
HBR FATHERS VICTIM.
A STORY OF
WESTERN LIFE
BY
A STORY OF
THOMAS ?. MONEORT.
CHAPTER <.
rr1r srnprHr sHows Irs rANcs.


above his ear and with his face buried
in his hands. 1t was evident from his
attitude and his listless manner that he
was deeply engrossed in study.
sHatching 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 sorae
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. didn't
mean to intrude, so ityour meditations
are sacred III withdraw.
"Come in and sit down." Scraggs
said in reply. 81 was meditating, and
seriously, too, but my thoughts were OF
you, and I am glad you came"
"Ha, you are faithful agent,
Scraggs. Always got my interests IN
mind, and forever studying out some
plan for advancing them. What now
scheme are you working up now?"
II am not working up any scheme,
Mr.. Pearson"
"yet you were thinking ofme How
does that Gomez"
81 was thinking Of you in an entirely
different connection"
'sWhat connection, then?"
"Why, in connection with those
Greens. It 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 off financial matters
long enough to let thought of some
thing SO foreign creep in? Come,
Scragcs, stick to the per cent. and the
commissions, and don't go to nuddling
your brain about things that don't
concern you and that will never put
dollar in your pocket. 1t amt in your
line, Scraggs, and you'd better let 1t
alone"
Ordinarily, Pearson, don't med6le
much with things that don't directly
concern me. I 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
monkey in the case are not to blame
for swearing at the cat whose paw has
been used to rake the chestnuts from
the FIRE. But I suppose ought not to
complain. I am paid for my work, and
it is my duty to shoulder the blame that
attaches to it and take the curses it
brings down on my head. Anyhow, 1
am willing to go Oh with that; but am
not willing to be a party to worse
crime, and, by George, won't be.
say, won't be, and mean it."
care you through with your sermon,
Scraggs?"
'For the present, yes"
''Fhen may ask what deep crime you
refuse to be party to9"
ayes, you may. It's the crime you
contemplate against those Greens; or
rather against Green's girl"
Pearson's face flushed and a spark Of
anger lighted his eyes. For an instant
he gazed steadily at Scraggs, then slow
ly let his glance fall to the floor. 1t was
some time before he spoke, and when he
did be said:
Mr.. Scraggs, are you aware what
your words imply?"
81 am, most certainly" replied
Scraggs, land they imply nothing but
the truth. I 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 selfish motive be-
hind it. It is not in your nature. But
what makes your purpose more ap-
parent is the fact that while you are
making pretense of favoring Green,
you are coming in here and command
ing me to bear down on him. At my
expense you are working yourself into
his good graces, and at the same time
getting him deeper and deeper into Your
tolls. I know you, and I know your
purpose, Pearson, and I denounce it.
Furthur, refuse to be party to it. It
is all right to rob and plunder these
people with exorbitant interest, and to
break them up with wild speculations,
and so long as it stops at that, will go
with you; but when it comes to an at
tempt to trap that innocent girl I'm out"
The young mans face changed color
alternately as he listened to this speech.
One moment it was livid with anger
and the next flushed with a sense Of
shame. Once or twice he made gestures
for Scraggs to stop, but the agent went
on to the end.
"Wel, Mr.. Scraggs," Harry replied
after a short silence, Il don't admit
anything you have charged, but say You
are correct, and it must be acknowl-
edged that you are not above reproach.
Your virtuous indignation don't COM
mcnce quite soon enough. 1t begins
where the profits leave off. in other
words you are willing to condone my
crimes, as you choose to call them, and
even assist me in executing them, as
long as there is money in It to you. But
the moment they cease to bring a finan-
cial return to your pocket you get ter
ribly down ON them. You are willing
to help rob and plunder' the settlers
because it pays you, but there is no
profit in trapping the girl, so your viz
tuous soul revolts at the idea. That is
the size of your honor, Scraggs."
II admit that appearances do seem
against me, Pearson, for after being
tool in your hands so long" said
Scraggs with emphasis, sit would be
miracle if l had an honorable impulse
left in my bosom. But miracle as it is,