The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-05-12

~ NJ NCOISGI1 howard, TO Ills
IVY country house. AS the
AN H. visit was more politi-
CA 10Y cal than private, Mr..
- ~ Markham brought his
private md politica secretary, John
Warrington, with him. An import
ant measure was before the House,
and division was expected tc take
place Immediately. Sir George rep.
resented land, Mr.. Markham, capital
and Warrington knew more about
both than either. Besides, Mr.. Mark
ham was vicariously engaged on n
work dealing with bimetalism. War
ringtou had ideas on the subject, and
Mr.. Markham believed in these SO far
that he had decided to put his own
name TO them.
Warrington" he explained to Sir
George, sis n deuced clever fellow
lie works up my speeches; you see, !
am very busy; and upon my soul, |
could not do them better myself"
This statement was scrupulously
true. Mr.. Markham and his secretary
achieved immediate and merited un-
popularity with Sir George Towards
household and quests. Markh ham was
Ignorant, ill-bred and arrogant. The
secretary was n man Of undoubted ma
tural gifts-he was highly educated
and had fine literary style-but he
was lacking in the savoir vivro that
makes civilization worth while. A
strong character, he wanted that pre-
else mental adjustment necessary to
those who make the best of life as it
is and leave the conduct of life ms it
ought TO bo to remote posterity.
Warrington's apparent Indifference to
his own and chiefs social failure was
pure affection. Hew miserable and
tried to disguise his emotion by an
overdone cynicism, and n preposterous
interest in bimetallism. He worked
night and day Mt Mr.. Markman's book
with only an hour off IN the afternoon
for pistol practice-his sole recreation.
Miss Marion Howard, Sir Georges
daughter and mistress of his house,
was at first civil to the private and
political secretary. 1T was her duty.
Bimetallism she earnestly believed to
be n bore, though harmless one, but
vlCn she discovered the bimetallist
was also socialist, she was not sure
that she ought not to send for the
police. The secretary's fate was
sealed. Henceforth there must be a
great taboo Warrington was n dan
rerous character But the great
division was still in the future. The
dangerous character must perforce be
tolerated tor tho present. A Com
mittee OF Public Safety was meantime
organized. It's President was pub
JIG school boy and it's action was
worthy OF it's President
One evening the secretary was stroll.
ing through the grounds thinking
about bimetalllsm and other things.
IN dark corner of q shrub. bordered
path he stumbled over the out.
stretched legs of man lying on the
grass. Warrington apologized, but
the man was not appeased. His coarse
face, enormous muscles and whole set
up could hardly DO mstGken he was
nprica fighter, or should have been.
lie would accept no apology.
81 have apoIogized," said Warning
ton. "What more do you wnnt?'
81 want to know il, as you think
yourself u man, you'll put up your
iives?'
"No, said Warrington, 81 won't
But I'll tell you what I'll do.
Ho put his hand into his hip pocket
and fnatched ont n short, black OBJ
Jcc. with n barrel, which he pointed
at The mans fuce. 'If you advance n
single step I'll put n bullet in your
eaulL"
The man fell back. There was a
slight movement i'm tho shrubbery.
Warrington noticed IT,.
Observe, be said sharply. "You
think 7 could not hit you I'M the head
1u this light? See me take that branch
o1ths ycwl' Ilo pointed the pistol
straight at the dcusest growth OF uu.
derwoOd There was q hosty scramble
aud the sounds of running footsteps.
The pugiIist again gave ground
"Gol' said Warrington "Aud if
,or you modest me ngmu l'll fire first
Il think tho matter oyer aftcrwarl ''
the smoking room Tint evening
''Tngtou was reading aud smoking
tHrnr, when young Charlie Tclford.
q, President OF the Committee, OK
ucI:
hat do you think OF sweep
Travis q revolver ON nn uuormcd
,ru
90. at ho is 70 swacI, cnuc go unln-
s... it was evident tho sccna had
liam lonrsgd
WHAT pgton did not appear to hear.
So J do you say, Warrington ?'
rd asked, pointedly.
''li depends" replied tho secretary.
'upyn what the uuarmej man was do.
Iur-or goiugto do. ~ no was anof-
icnuyc the man with the gun was a
criminal runian."
Suppose the unarmed man was OF
!ersive2"
Then the man with the gun was an
ass"
'For what?'