davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning times., 1895-11-10
BY ROBERT BARR.
Author of "The Face and the Mask, "In
the Midst Of Alarms" etc.
Copyright, 1895, by Robert Barr
CHAPTER XI.

After all, il must be admitted that George
Wentworth was a man ofsoEe what change
able character. For the last Two or three
days lie had been moping- around like one
who meditated suicide, now he suddenly
became the brightest indvidual on board,
when everyone else was wondering what
was gong 10 happen to the ship. For man
To be moody ana distraught while danger
was Impending was not at all surprising;
but that a man, right i'll the midst Ol gloom,
should suddenly blossom out INTO u smiling
cUGntenanCe and a general hIiarity of man
Her, was something extraordinary. Peo-
pie thought il must be case OF brain trou-
Bile.
They watched the young man with i'm
tereSt as hc dikcu with a sprInSy step up
and down deck. Every now ana then u
bright smile illuminated bis face, and then
he seemed to be ashamed that people should
notice he was feeling hilarious. When he
was alone With himself he had habit
OF smiling his thigh and bursting out INTO
q laugh that was long and low rather than
loud and boisteTuus. No one was more
astonishcd at this change than Fleming,
the politician. George met him on deck, and,
to the great surprise OF that worthy gentle
man, srnote him un the back and said:
My dear sir, am AFRAID the other day,
when you spoke to me, l answered a
and have drink with me-
'.0h, don't mention it," said Fleming,
Joyously; we all OF us have our little down
turns now and then. Why, | have myself,
when liquor is bad or scarce. You mig hint
believe it, but some days feel away down
in the mouth. Ii is true, | have a receipt
for getting up again, which always use
and that reminds me. DO you remember
what the Governor of North Carolina said
TO the Governor of South Carolina?"
TN sure | don't" said Wentworth; you
see, I'm not very well versed IN United
States politics."
We'll, there wasn't much politics about
his remark. He qmcrely said: It's a long
time between drinks; come in ana have
something with me- 1t seems to me you
haven't tasted anything in my company
since the voyage began"
Il believe" said Wentworth, 'that is
q true statement. Let us amend il as soon
as possible, only in this case let me pay
for the drinks. l invited you TO drink with
me-"
Not al all, not at ALL said Fleming:
mot while I'm here. This is my treat,
and it is funny to think that man should
spend a week with another man without
knowing him. Really. you see, / haven't
known you till now
And so the two worthy gentlemen disap-
peared into the smoking room and rang
the electric bell.
But 1t was in his own stateroom that
George Went worth's jocularty came out
at its best. He would grasp John Kenyon
by the shoulder and shake that solemn man,
over whose face a grim smile would appear
when he noticed the eXubcrant jollity of
his Comrade.
John" Wentworth cried, why don't
you laugh?''
"well. it seems to me" replied his COM
rade, that you are doing laughing enough
for us both. 1t is necessary TO have one !
member of the firm solid and substantial. |
The morning times., 1895-11-10

am not the right person TO float a mine
mine with my cousin or my father? My
father could give you much valuable adj
vice in reference to IL, anu l am anxious
that my cousin should help to carry this
project on to success. II is better to talk
with them there thar at their office,
because they are both so busy during the
able to give the time necessary to its
discussion"
John Kenyon shook his head. II am
afraid" he said, that would do no good.
l do not think your cousin cares to have
anything to do with the mine.''
How can you say that? Did he not
discuss the matter with you on board ship"
Yes; we had some conversation about
it there, but imagine that really do not
think he would care TO go any farther
with it,"
-Ah, / see," said Edith LoDgworth. my
cousin is the man who forgot to-day what
he said yesterday"
What am to say, Miss Longworth?
do not want to say .sYesf and l cannot
truthfully say No" q
You need say nothing. u know exactly
how it has been. Sohedoes not want to have
anything to do with it, What reason did
he give?'' -
".You will not say anything to i'm about
the matter? l should be very sorry if he
thought that talked TO anyone else in ref
erence TO it,"
''Oh, certainly not; will say nothing to
him at ALL
well, he gave no particular rea son: he
simply seemed to have changed his mind.
But must say this. he did not appear TO be
very enthusiastic about it when | talked
with him on board ship
''Well, you see. Mr. Kenyon. It rests with
me how to maintain the honor of the Long
worth family. Do you want to make Ill
the profit there is to be made in the mica
mine-that is, yourself and your friend, Mr.
Wentworth?''
''How do you mean all the profit?' -
'Well. / mean-would you share the
profit with anybody?'
Certainly, if that person could help us
to form the company"
VERY well; II was on that basis YOU were
going to take in my cousin as a artner,
was it qot?"
Yes
''Then should like to share in the profits
of the mine if he does not take an INTEREST," in
1t. Ifyou will let me pay the prelimnaryex-
penses OF forming this country, and if you
will then give me a share of what you make.
Ishallbegladd tofurnsh hthemoney you'll need
at the outset"
with smile. '.You are very ingenious,
Miss Longworth, but can see, in spite of
your wa Y o fputting it. that what you propose
is merely form of charity. Suppose we
did not succeed in forming our company
how could we repay you the money!"
You would not need to repay the
money. I would take that risk 1t is.
in way. sort of speculation. II you
form the company. then l shall expect
The morning times., 1895-11-10

its proper value. He, nevertheless, felt
very sorry the interview had been So futile,
and instead of going back to Wentworth and
telling him his experience he thought it
best TO walk off little of his disappnint-
ment first. He was somewhat startled
when man accosted him, and, glancing up,
he saw standing there a tall footmau, ar
rayed in gray coat that came down to his
heels.
Il beg your pardon, sir" said the footman.
"but Miss LoDgwurth would like to speak
to you"
Miss Longworth.' said Kenyon in sur
prise; where is shc?''
''She is here in her carriage, sir"
The carriage had drawn up beside the
pavement, and John Kenyon looked round
in confusion to see that Miss Longworth
was regarding him and the foutman with
an amused air. An elderly woman sat in
the carriage opposite her, while grave
and dignified coachmau, attired some
what similarly to the footrnan, kept his place
like a seated statue in front. John Kenyon
took off his hat as he approached the young
woman, whom he had not seen since the
last day on the steamer.
How are you, Mr.. Kenyon?,' said Edith
Longworth brightly, holding out her hand
TO the young man by her carriage. "Will
you not step in? / want to talk with you
and am afrai id the police will not allow
3 us to block such a crowded thoroughfar re
as Cheapside."
AS she said this the nimble footman threw
open the door of the carriage, while John,
not knowing what to say, stepped inside
and took his seat.
"Holborn," said the young woman to the
coachman; then turning to Kenyon, she con-
tinucd, Twill you not tell me where you are
going. so that may know where to set you
DOWN.
ITO tell the truth" said John ''I do not
think was going anywhere. am afraid
havcnot yet got over tn edelght of being back
in London again. so Isometimes walk long
the streets in rath er a purposeless manner"
''Wcll you did not look very delighted
when l first caught sight of you. thought
you were most detected, and that gave me
courage enough to ask You to come and talk
to me. said to myself there is something
wrong with the mica mine, and, with a wo-
mans curiosity, wanted to know all bout
it. Now, tell me.''
There is really very little TO ten. We
have hardly begun yet. Wentworth is to-
day lookinng over the figures gave him.
and l have been making a beginning by
seeing some people who, thought, might
be interested in the mine."
And were they?"
"No; they were uot.'
'.Then that was the reason you were
looking SO distressed"
II suppose it was"
"Well, now, Mr.. Kenyon, If you get dis
couraged after an interview with the first
person you think win be interested in the
mine, what will you do when dozen or
more people refuse TO have anything to do
with IT."
I'm sure don't know. / am afraid
The morning times., 1895-11-10

| on the London markets Lam really a stu
| dent, you see, and flatter myself l am a
man or science. know what l am about
when l am in mine, miles away from
civilization, but when get among men 1
feel somehow at loss. i do not under
thing today, and to-mSsfdw calmly forgets
all about it, 1 confess tk well-confuses
me-" Eg&
"Then the man you Hayesseen to-day has
forgotten what lie told you yesterday. Is
that the case?" VA
Eyes; that's partlythecdse."
"But, Mr.. Kenyon, the success OF your
project is not going 10 depend upon what
one ma n says, ortwo, or three, ,isit?"
mo; Idon't supposeit 1t is"
"Then, If were you, would not feel dis
couraged because one manhas forgotten. l
wish were acquainted with your one man,
and would make him ashamed of himself,
think"
Kenyon flushed as she said this, but made
no reply.
The coachman looked ound IS he came TO
Holborn, and Miss rthnoddedtoh him,
so he went on, without stopping, up into
oxford street.
Now, take eatfnterest in your mine.
Mr.. Kenyon, and hope 10 see you succeed
with ii. l wish could help'you, or. rather,
/ wish YOU would be frank With me, a nd let
me know how can help you. know good
deal about city men and their ways, and l
think may be able to give you some good
advice, at least, il You win have tue con-
descension 10 consult me-" -..-s.-s
Again Kenyon flushed. You are king
game OF me now, Miss Longw9rih of
course, as you said on shipboard, ii is but
very small matter"
Il never said any such thing. When did
say that"
You. said that 100000 was a small
matter"
did I? Well, am like your man who
has forgotten; have forgotten that l re-
member saying something about its being
too small an amount for my father to deal
with. Was not that what 1 said?'
Yes; l think that was it. 1t conveyed
the idea TO my mind that you thought
$50 900 n very triflng sum indeed"
Edith Longwnrth laughed. what ter
rible meinery you have. do not wonder
at your city man forgetting. Are You sure
what you told him did not happen longer
ago than Yesterday
Yes il happened some time before"
An, thought ST.. l am fraid il is your
own terrible memory and not his forgetrul-
ness that is to blame"
"Oh, l am not blaming him al all. A man
has every right to change his mind If he
wants to-"
Il thought only woman had that privi-
lege,"
NO: for my part, ! freely accord II to
everybody; only sometimes 1t is a little
depressing"
Il can imagine that. In fact, i think
DO one could be more undesirable ac-
quaintance than man who forgets to-day
what he promised yesterday, especially If
anything particular depended upon-it.
Now, why cannot you come to our house
some evening and have talk about the
The morning times., 1895-11-10

over in his hand, examining 1t critically.
His great know ledge or his own business
enabled him TO instantly recognize the
value OF the mineral, but his face show ed no
eagerness or enthusiasm. When he spoke
II was not 10 answer the questions, but to
ask some on his own account.
Where does this come from"
From a mine in America"
''Is there much of it there?"
II control a mountain OF it,"
Really. You are canvassing for orders,
perhaps
No. l intend to form company for the
working of that mine"
what price are you asking for the
property? Is the mine in operation, or is
1t merely projected?"
1T is in operations; that is, it is being
operated as mica mine; but my partner,
Kenyon, who is a mining engineer, says
TINS Is more valua BILE than The mica. We
are asking f200 900 for the mine"
Ihat Is very large sum- said Mel
vile, placing The specimen on the desk
before him. Il doubt il you Will get it,
Well, we expect to get it. Kenyon is
al TINS moment with Mr.. Longworth, who
spoke of joining us. Long worths objec-
ton was that the sum asked was too
small"
'Old John Longworth is good man to
be associated with in scheme of this
kind
Il am speaking of his nephew, William
Longworth.''
'Ah, that is not quite the same thing.
! know both uncle and nephew. Did you
wishrne TO takestock in the company"
Il should be delighted TO have you do so,
but what called for was to find out what
you thought of this specimen. and to get
an idea of The demand there isfor it,"
We'll, candidly, / don't think much of
ii. You see this kind of spar is one OF the
most common things in nature.'
But not in that state of purity, surely?''
Perhaps not, but still pure enough for
our purposes lf you will leave this speci-
men with me | viii consult the manager of
our works. l am merely giving YOU my
own impression, he will he able TO offer
you more definite opinion. If you Will
leave your address with me / viii ask him
TO write To you. That VIII be more salts
factory"
This was somewhat disappointing, but
Wentworth had Ia make the best of it. and
the letter from the manager, when it
ultimately came, was even more dscum-
forting. The manager Of the works asserted
that the specimen submitted to him was
OF NO commercial value, SO far as he was
able TO Judge
Meanwhile Kenyon had Jared No better
with young Lungworth. Longworth had
some difficulty in recullecting that he had
ever met Kenyon on shipboard or any
where else, and he had no remembrance Of
the mine at all. He questioned John until
he learned all the engineer knew about the
matter, and then told his visitor abruptly
that the scheme did not commend itself TO
him.
John Kenyon walked along Cheapsidc feel
ing very much downhearted over his rebuff
with Longworth. The pretended furgctfu.-
ness OF the young man, Of course, he took at
The morning times., 1895-11-10

I'm trying to keep the average about right.
When you were in the dumps had to be
cheerful for two. Now that you feel so
funny, l take a kind of melancholy vaca-
tiOn, 10 rest me after my hard efforts at
chcerfulness-"
We'll, John, it seems To me too good to
be true. What plucky girl she was to do
such n thing, How did she know but that
the little vixen had revolver with her,
and might have shot her?'
Il suppose she did not think about the
matter at ALL
"Have you seen her since the dramatic
incident?"
.'seen whom? Miss Brewstcr?''
mo, no; mean Miss Lungworth."
mo; She hasn't appeared yet. l suppose
she fears there will be a scene, and she is
anxious tn avoid it,
VERY likely that is the case" said Went
worth. We'll, if you get TO see her, you
can tell her there is no danger. Our genial
friend Fleming has had talk with that
newspaper woman, so he tells me, and the
way ne describes it is exceedingly pictur-
esque. He has threatened her " ith giving
away the snap as he calls il, TO the
other New York papers, and il seems that
the only thing on earth Miss Brew ster is
afraid of is the opposition press. So she
has promised 10 say nothing more what
ever about the incident"
Then you have been talking with Flem-
ing?"
Certainly I have: jovial good fellow
he is, too. have been doing something
more than talking 18th him; have been
drinking with him."
And yet day or two ago. | understand
you threatened to strike him."
"A day or two ago, joint 1t was ages
and ages ago. A day or two isn't in it.
That was years and centuries since. but not
by time. / was an old man then: now
have become young again, and all on ac-
count of the plucky action of that angel
of a girl of yours"
Not of mine" said Kenyon, seriously.
81 wish she were"
We'll, cheer up. Everything will come
out right; you see, it always does. Moth
Ing looked blacker than this matter about
the telegram few days ago, and see how
beautifully it has turned out"
Kenyon said nothing. He did not desi-s
TO discuss the matter, even with his best
friend. The two went up on deck together
and took few turns along the promenade,
during which promenade the eyes of Ken
Son were directed to the occupants of the
deck chairs, but he did not see the person
whom be sought. Telling Wentworth that
he was going below for moment, he left
him 10 continue his walk alone. and on
reaching the saloon Kenyon spoke to the
stcwardess.
Do you know if Miss Longworth is in her
ptateroom?"'
Yes; i think she is" was the answer.
VIII you take this note to her?''
Certainly
John sat down to wait for an answer.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
THE OLD HOME.


"Good-by, father, You are unjust to
me and must leave the old home. ! shall
always love II, but know YOU and mother
think that ! am not good enough to live at
home, and willgo. Tell Dick, Tom, Harry,
George, William. James, Ralph, Mary,
Sarah Jane, Alice and Maggie good
by for me-"
With moan the bad son went out into
the dark, bitter night.
II.
Fifteen years went 10y. Dick Tom, Harry,
George, William, James, Mary Sarah
Jane and Alice died. Maggie. the un-
healthy one, and Ralph, the hard-hcarted
one lived. Ralph went away and made so
much money that there was talk of sending
him to the United States Senate. AT the
dear old home the father mother and Mag
gle lived. They got older and poorer every
year. How strange, and yet how true!
Alexander, the bad son, was lost 10 the
world.
The day drew near when the mortgage
must be paid or the old home lost. The
mortgage had been given to raise $4,000
which was paid TO the musician to teach
Maggie how TO play on the piano. She
intended to become a music teacher that
She might support her father and mother
In old age, but just about the time the
money gave out her teacher discovered
that She was not built for a musician
".
Yes said Maggie, as she came into the
room with her beautiful pale face and a
tin pan, this is the last OF the putatoes
Mr.. Jones gave u.s.
The father groaned.
To-day the sheriff comes to drive lis
from the old home.'
Even as he spoke the officer drew near
with his assistants.
sold TO the gentleman in the black
suit for S5,0OOr'
The old Mother turned and looked. She
gave great cry:
You are my long lost boy, Alexr'
mo, am his great grandson. But am
great and rich, and you shall live forever
IN your old home"
His great t-great-grandfather folded him
in his arms.
why is it, il you are ST. great and rich,
never heard OF yuu?'
With proud smile, his sgreat-great-grand-
son replied:
Because have been Vice President of
the United States.''
They lived happily ever after, for Ralph.
the hard-hearted son, died very suddenly
one day of old age.-New York World.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
CHAPTER XII

Although Miss Jennie Brewster arrived
in London angry with the world i'll gen
eraI and with several of It's inhabitants in
particular, she soon began to revel in the
delights of the great city. 1t was so old
that it was new to her, and she visited
Westminster A bbey and other of its ancient
landmarks in rapid succession. The cheap
ness of the hansonis delighted her, and lie
spent most of her time dashing around la
cab. She put up at one of the big hotels,
and ordered many new dresses at place
in Regent street. She bought most of
the newspapers morning and evening, and
declared she could not find an interest
ing article in the whole assortment. From
her point of view they were stupid and
uuinteresting, and she resolved to run
down the editor of one of the big daiies
when she got time, interview him, and dis
cover how he reconciled il with his CO IL
science To get out so dull a sheet every day.
She wrote toe her editor in New York
that Loudon, though a slow town, was fun
of good material, and that nobody had
touched it in the writing line since Dickens
time; therefore she proposed 10 write a
series of articles on the metropolis that
would wake them up bit. Tie editor
cabled her to go ahead, and she went. Her
adventures will form the subject of some
future chapters.
Kenyon and Wentworth, having settled to
the satisfaction of all concerned the busi-
ness that had taken them TO Canada, now
turned their attention to the mine on
which they had a three months option Of
purchase. Kenyon estimated that the
property worked a S mica mine alone would
pay handsome dividena~en $50 900,
while If a good market was to be had
for the spar in which the mica was found,
the mine would be cheap at 600 900. He
said to Wentworth, ho wever, that as they
were TO pay only G2O, 900 for the property,
it seemed hardly fair 10 initiate the price
to ten times that amount.
mot Il bit of ii, John" said Wentworth,
who was practical man. "If the mine
will pay a good dividend on that amount,
then that is the right price for it. Now,
we haven't any time to lose, so we must
get to work. The first thing 10 do is to
take these specimens of spar to some man
who knows all about china manufacture,
and find what demand there is for 1t in
this country, and at what price. That
will attend to. The next thing is to
get SOME good man who understands all
about the formation of companies TO join
us. You spoke about the mine TO young
Longworth on board ship, and his name
would be great help to us in the city.
You go and see him, and interest him in
the project if you can. When these two
tasks are accomplished we shall have made
an excellent beginning"
Wentworth was an energetic man, who
did not allow the grass TO grow under his
feet. He speedily discovered that a Mr..
Melville was manager and part owner of
one of The largest china establishments
in the country, W ith offices in London,
and this man he sought an interview with,
taking with him some of the specimens of
spar.
Il want to know" he said TO Melville,
"if you use This material in the making of
china. Is there much OF market for it,
and at what price,"
Melville tuned the specimen over and
The morning times., 1895-11-10
Pledge That Mary Took.

Mary Lynch was before Justice Hall
yesterday for being intoxicated.
Sign a pledge if l let you OFF," asked
the court.
II VIII if you'll allow me 10 drink one
glass of beer day
agreed" replied the court, and the
pledge was signed.
He didn't say how big glass can
have" remarked the woman as she left
the courtroom.
I've got pitcher that's two feet high,
and III use that."-ChiCago Inter-Ocean.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
He Saw Double

Radbourn-That was funny thing about
Jagleigh.
Chesney-What was that?
Radbourn-He went out and got full the
other day. When he got home and met
his wife he thought he had committed
bigamy. He hasn't touched a drop since.-
Exchange.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
A Nerynns Man.

al have discovered" said the trainer,
"that Mr.. ROarbett. the champion of the
universe, is quite easily annoyed"
Prof. Psychol-You don't sayi'
Yes, indeed. l have discovered that he
always fights better when the other fellow
is in iail.''-Clevelan nd Plain Dealer.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
And Her CARPETS Are Travesty

She didn't know what burlap is, but she
thought she did, and when she said that she
was house cleaning and had covered all
her furniture with burlesques she couldn't
understand why her listeners laughed
Buffalo Courier.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
A Professional Advap,ape

Don't you want to hire my par?" said
a little colored urchin
what for?"
Ter put up de stovepipe."
Does he put up stovepipes well?"
Deed he do. An de bes' Oh it am dat
he's deaf an dumb, my par is. so de
women folks doan' hab ter leave de
house while he's wuhkin. ."-EXchange.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
A Sod Thought.

Many man goes down 10 the grave
realizing that the American people have
missed a good President. Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
The morning times., 1895-11-10
Inclndes Them Both.

"After all, love and war are the only
proper themes for poet
why do you say love aud war? Why
don't you Just say marriage?''