The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-05-28
HER FATHERS
VICTIM.
A Story of Western Life.
BY THoMs +. MoNFoRT.
[Copywright, 1891, a. n. Kellog y. Co.
A Story of Western Life.
BY THoNs +. MoNFoRT.
[copywright, 1891, a. n. Kellog N Co.

[Copywright, 1891, \. n. Kellog y, Col
Qatter of life and death. must have
money or my wife will die, and YOU
must let me have it. You must, do you
hear2 | can't get it anywhere else, and
you must let me have it."
1t was long time before Scracrs
spoke, and then he delivered his words
slowly, and there was tinge of sadness
in his voice SO foreign to him that it
sounded strange even to his own ears.
"Mr. Green" said he, II sympathize
with you, and were it in my power to
aid you with loan I'd do it gladly.
But it is not You know that the money
control is eastern capital, and have
rules to govern me-rules that are not
of my making, and dare not overstep
them or vary from them in the least.
have had other petitions such as yours
from the settlers of the plains, and in the
hope of being able to accomplish some
thing for those people, have written
to the company whose money l have,
laying the true state of affairs open to
them, and begging them to make more
liberal terms so that these unfortunate
people might have a chance to live.
through these close times"
At this point Scraggs happened to
glance up and his eyes met those of
Pearson. The latter was scowling and
looking daggcrs and shaking his head
angrily at Scraggs, but the agent paid
no attention to these gestures, and went
on:
II have exhausted every means in
the effort to induce these capitalists to
show liberal spirit to the settlers, but
it has been all in vain. They say ad-
vance no more money under any cir
cumstances, and that ends the matter
for me. would let you have the mon
ey, Green, if l could, and Id be glad
to do it, but my hands are tied, and /,
can do nothing"
could you let me have some on my
team and agricultural implements?"
Green asked.
Couldn't do that even," Scraggs re-
piled, with another slow shaking q his
head. ~
Not even very small amount?"
John persisted.
"No, not dollar"
'Then, what in the name of God am
to do? Must my wife die of want be-
fore my eyes, and my daughter and my
self starve? Surely there must be some
way to avoid that. Surely all mankind
are not brutal"
And the tears came to Johns eyes,
strong man that he was, and his voice
trembled and his form shook Even
Scraggs was touched by the sad spec
tacle the poor man presented and he
felt anxious to do something for him.
After the lapse of minute, during
which the agent did some serious think
ing, he looked up and said:
"Green, l pity you, and'an the poor
settlers who are so situated, and l wish
had the power to help you all. But
haven't. / am not rich. Far from it.
have some means, it is true, but it is
nearly all in real-estate, and in these
times it is impossible to get it out.
Your case, though, is a little harder
than any know of, and feel that you
must have help, so I'll tell you what
I'll do I'll do my best to get in
little money from some source, and if
you'll come here again day after to-
morrow I'll let you have some. Say
nothing about this offer, though, for if
it was to get out that had made it to
you, would be overrun with impor-
tunities from hundred others. Keep
it quiet, and come day after to-mor-
row."
At this point Harry Pearson left the
Office, and Green arose, and, pressing
Scraggs hand, thanked him again and
again for his offered aid
"Mr. Scraggs," he said, 81 have mis-
judged you in the past, and feel that |
owe you an apology for it."
That's all right, Green" Scraggs re-
piled, "all right. l am not saint by
any means, but guess if the truth was
known would not be considered alto
gether as bad as some people think
am. However, that is neither here nor
there. Come back as tell you and I'll
see what can do for you"
The reader may be inclined to look
upon Scraggs as a changed creature,
and decide that he has undergone a
change of heart or something of that
sort, but such is not the case. He is
Scraggs still-the same in heart and
principle that he has always been. The
truth about Scraggs is, he never was as
bad as he seemed. Like great many
other successful business men, he knew
how to look out for his own interest,
and made it point to turn every dol
lar possible into his own pocket. In do
ing this he did not stop to consider the
welfare of those with whom he dealt.