The National tribune., 1892-09-08


You could trust this with Uncle PENN"
Pemberton Stokes was one of the principal
bankers of S, aud not only a friend, but a
warm political ally of Mr.. Trumbull's.
| Suppose" said Kate, that l take the
| phaeton and drive out to his place. l won't be
gone more than an hour. There does seem a
certain justice in my getting relative to
help meet the evil Vaccinations of another.
There's certainly no other man between the
two oceans that Uncle Penn would more cheer
fully circumvent. May | go?" She was
fastening the roses she had brought up from
the conservatory, and took up her hat as she
spoke.
Yes" very thougbtfully. II believe you
may just say that Prescott would like a confer
ence with him, either here or there, at IL this
evening, and use your own judgment as to the
details. / am glad you have me-judgment."
Mr.. Nillington R. Hunt was a tall, loose
jointed man whose bones seemed, rather late in
| life, TO have gathered themselves together TO
make firm stand against all opposing currents
| Ali early characteristics seemed to have become
intensi fed with years The shoulders that in
youth had been simply high had now hardened
into petrifed shrng. The lantern jaws from
being simply plain had now gained an express
sion that men read variously as success, salts
faction, victory. In his element, among the
money changers, there were indeed mono
greater; but he was not amphibious.- There
were elements in which he was not at home,
this man OF genius; and while on matters of
finance and general business he could express
himself with intelligent shrewdness, he could
not read an ordinary leader in the daily papers
or write business letter without betraying his
illiteracy.
1t is more than probable that his conscious
ness of deficiencies in this direction made him
jealously eYacting of acknowledgment of his
powers in other lines. However that may be,
he seemed never to fully enjoy his own posses
sions except in contrast with the condition of
those less favored. 1t was the getting of money
more than its possession that gave him pleas
ure. He seemed to have studied the law for
the purpose of seeing to what precise length he
might trespass on his neigh boris right without
suffering lis penalty; and within this limit
his greedy joy was in direct proportion to his
neig 9Th boris loss. He seemed restless on the
morning after the reception at TrumbulFs and
Ray Lawrence thought he had an unusual air
of expectancy. 1t was not strange, hr. Hunt
thought, that Trumhull should delay his ap.
pearance until after lunch. Of course he must
feel trife used up and probably Tom, Dick.
and Harry would waylay him on the street.
He did come in after lunch, and then there
were three or four men waiting to interview
him, and the tall office clock struck before
Mr.. Hunt could ask him into the private office
for conference.
He held 6 copy of the carefully prepared
balance-sheets in his hand, aud when he had
closed the door said: "Trumbull, / want to get
out of the partnership business to-day. No
matter about reasons. We understand each
other tolerably well. Now. what will you do?
If you buy I'll accept the sum that's to your
credit; if you sell I'll pay the sum that appears
on nv side Can't grumble at that, can you 2"
Pm not grumbing," said Trumbul as he
looked over the papers that Hunt had placed
before him, but ] don't propose to be forced
to hasty step of this kind. What's the trou-
ble?"
"No trouble or there won't be If you'll close
up with me to-day before the bank closes"
As Mr.. Trumbull did not reply at once, he con-
tinued with a grim attempt at levity: Pm
afraid to trust myself with political men. Bad
manners you know"
"Yes know; how much time can you give
me?"
Timer If wanted to give time do you
think I'd offer such terms these? Here are
the bills of sale; mine, if you wish to buy. is
signed. and here is my check if you'll sell.
Bank closes in 45 minutes"
There was a silence during which the two
men looked at each other. If in Prescott
Trumbull's face there was a hint of something
unexpected, Mr.. Hunt did not recognize it
then; he may have recalled it later. At last the
silent conference ended. Mr.. Trumbull turned
his eyes away, looked about the office. and
then slowly drew out his check book.
You seem to think member of Congress
deserves some personal consideration, Hunt
Perhaps you're right; when he gives himself
to his country's interests. suppose rare souls
like yours will insist on furthering his tenn
poral welfare but"-he had filled and signed
the check and was using the blotter, 81 can't
seem to get accustomed to the situation. /
hope you'll accept my share Of the office fur
nishings 81
r
Hunts face was an excellent mask to whatever
emotion his heart INDUCED in, but the mask
lost its usual color and there was new note
in his voice.
yes I've bought Good-by."
Here wait minute! Lawrence" opening
the door to the outer Office, go over to the
bank and get me draft on New York for this
check" But Mr.. Trumbull did not wait, and
when Ray Lawrence returned with the draft
there was scene in which Mr.. Millington z.
Hunt figured with more profanity than dignity.
Ibid you tell Trumbull that / wanted to
buy him out?"
directly, no; indirectly, yes" Words fol-
lowed which il would not be wise to repeat.
When he had dismissed Lawrence with all the
wordy energy at his command, he had the
comfort of finding that young mans resigna-
ton. dated the previous evening, lying open
on his desk. In short, he had walked in
broad daylight and In the sight of all men,
into the trap he had prepared for Mr. Trum-
bull There was no backing out, or to preserve
the metaphor, no climbing out; Trumbull had
the bill Of sale and be had the draft. Ii was q
fact accomplished
Mr. Hunt was not ruined man by any
means He could have afforded the loss had it
been one necessary TO serve any personal in
terest but that 1T should enrich Trumbull, the
successful nominee of the party that had de-
feated him in his gubernatorisl race, was bitter
indeed.
On the following day Kate Lsngworthy was
sitting near the library window. She had
been talking over recent events with her
mother, TO whom they did not at all appear in
wholly rOseate light.
"Tbere's Mr.. Trumbull driving up the lane
now" Kate said, and thinking he might have
message, she ran out to the gate before he
had time to alight.
Pm the bearer of dispatches, Envoy Extra
ordinary" he explained; "snd l am also u
habeus corpus. AM to take you home with
me to dinner. How much time must / give
your"
About three minutes. shall never think
OF keeping you waiting il you're all that" she
answered merrily."
When they were driving down the long,
shady street, MIR. Trumbull asked Kate what
reward she sought for her remarkable d.
| plomacy.
"I don't seek any reward, Mr.. Trumbuli, you
! know / don't but Pun afraid / have made
| trouble for Mamma. Cousin Millington holds q
| mortgage on our home"
"How can he connect you with these late
transactionsf"
| "He knows Pm engaged to Raw and wa botb