The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-06-14
7 MORTCHGKD BOY ~


Good morning. sir" he said. II want
ed to see you about mortgage"
you did," said the gentleman sternly.
| And do you think Il IS proper TO come
To me this way. threatening my clerk 5
| life with--with that extraordinary rusty
| Old frearIn2'
! 20. sir" said Jamie. with most engage
! Ing smile. 81 only done that as bluff. II
amt loaded. sir But ! wanted 10 see you
| awful badr
The bankers face softened into smile.
'Come in here" he said. and jamie tri-
umphantly followed him in.
Now sit down. my boy" said the gem
/ tleman. kindly. tell what all this
! IS about a mortgage"
| Then that remarkable aptitude of James
| Pcssett's. which is now pushing him SO
| rapidly 10 the front. the capablity Of get
| ting right down to business. showed Itself
| for the first time. lie didn't stammer or
stutter or get confused. or behave as II ne
| had never seen "A bank before because
/ his mind for the time was bent upon one
/ thing only. lie didn't even take the chair
/ pointed out to him. To the bankers utter
nmazoment he threw aside his cartridge
| belt and pistol. ana then his small ragged
! Jacket and pulled up his shirt sleeve. WIN
q frightened lip and every little muscle
quiveriug with a tension he displayed TO
/ the bankers admiriug gaze little lump
| Of flesh which. for politness' sake. we
VIII call biceps.
Feel that. sirt' he said
Mechanically the bankers fingers press
] ed that plucBy little knot. but his eyes
| ala not see IT, lie was looking Al Jainl9'
and studying his eyes.
'.IIc's not crazy" he thought. He seems
! a remarkably bright boy"
well" he said aloud. that's al right.
! The development 50 rot ponderonS' but
time WIZ improve s."
.Hlt me there" cried Jamie. and stuck
! ont a brave little chest as far as he couid.
Don't be afraid. hits hard as you want
to
| strike a mighty blow. and nodded MS sali9-
| faction with Jim's sustouance OF ~. ne
how started 10 roll mp his trouser leg, but
| Tho gentleman motioued him To stop
..It 10 unnecessary" nc said 81 am per-
f,srfIv satisfied YOU are sound IN Wlhd anu
limb NOW 81 / may inquire without an I'M
e,,.-alv ahr,iptness. what is il You want2'
Jamie drew, q deep breath ana stood stur-
div facing the banker
..aoiivar's goeSl horse" he said. with
! dash into the depth of things. And you've
/ got "a mortgage on him, an dad cam pay
the interest an the horscll b" sold. for my
NANNY told me SO: an the farms ruined,
cause OF the rains spelling the crops, an
/ dad won't be able To 80 on for another year.
cause nanny tOle mo SO. an VITA bollFaF
/ he might make out frc.ghting for the new
irrigation company. an now he cant 50
/ dad don't know what % do so dads desprlt
/ awful despr,t. cause he don't love me no
more. an tell me things same's ne USED TO
DO: an there amt no food IN the house an
4 nanny sick an'-an-"
! lie pulled himself UP and dashed away
j what Tom Bowling himself would have
Il called a manly tear" The banker looked
4 al him with interest but never spoke jim
/ went on.
NANNY savs-you ask her--rm good as
Z rr "a IN
/ know near a. much a. he docs-you ask
him. an YOU say I'm sound ia wind and
4 limb. So"
well wei. my son" said the gentleman
/ softly a. sam,e looked iil1e breaking down
( aeain. coo on. 7 ann Interested didn't
/ know things were 40 b1d. Whose boy are
/ you2 1 think your father has iine SON
so" said Jamie. with burst take me
I as q mortgage. am Dot cad keep EoiVar!'
I What happened Immediately after jamie
/ perhaps could not TeeOilect In eXactness,
but he found himself sitting on the bankers
( knee and telling that gentleman every de
tail % the horrible struggle the family had
Z been going through 20 force living from
I the new land.
And 1Ir Possett thinks me his enemy?"
the man said gently. after "a while. Jamie.
I you're n bright boy. and til tell you some
I thing without mentioning names. I don
hold these mortgages. but the bank holds
4 deposits OF money from many men about
I here. who have to be paid good interest
4 am-the bank is-oniy an agent and tho
real owner of the mortgage is a very close
/ neghbor OF yours farmer himself
have To 10 my duty. that is. do the best for
I my customers interest"
Matthew's whispered Jamie. with hor-
ror "Then-theu-y You can't take me. an
I've got 70 go 90 Matthews''
- guess mott said the gentleman. This
IS only branch bank. and I'm a lawyer.
too. Jamie. in Matthews employ so j think
can settle things Tell your father I'll
be ovcS IN she morning and talk over mat
tiers. and In the meantime III accept your
offer ana Bolivar is safe. You're my Sc
curity."
Jamie jumped from the bankers knee and
held out his hand
Thank YOU" ne said.
Nov" said the banker briskly. I've got
10 get interest ON my mortgaBed boy, ia