Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1899-03-08

rity of true patriots. Some of the
States failed TO furnish their full quota,
however, and Iowa was among the de
linquents. Then came the order for a
draft, and the name of Hon. James
Fisk of D headed the list of
the drafted. This was no particular
credit TO his fellow townsmen, for in
spite of his title (Which by the way,
was tribute to wealth only, meaner,
more miserly creature than James Fisk
never lived upon this earth.
| lie was just in the prime of life, or
would have been had he been less self
ish, but little by little certain objec-
| tionable traits of character had left
their imprint upon his countenance
until he appeared prematurely aged.
Hence the sobriquet of "Old Jim Fisk"
which he was famliarly called by
every man, woman and child-except-
ing on rare occasions when discretion
was considered the better part of valor.
The Hon. James Fisk was n banker,
railroad magnate, and Il real es-
tate man combined. In fact, he had
owned a large portion of the town In Its
early history, and he therefore consd-
cred himself of no small Importance in
the financial world at least. Like many
another he loved his money first, HIM
self next and his country last, as well
as least; though 1t is said that when
he ran for United States Senator during
the previous campaign, he made some
thrillingly patriotic speeches, and ap-
parently without the slightest com
Function. In those days he was called
"Old Sodom and Gomorrah," an appel
lation which he never quite outgrew.
James Fisk was not the type of a
man who could conscientiously sing
"America" or "The Star Spangled Ban
ner," consequently he felt that per-
sonal insult had been directed to him
when the President had the audacity to
place his name with the rest of the
common herd. Nevertheless, 1t was a
case of compulsion, and he knew that
he must either hire a substitute or go
into the army himself. The former
was not very easy to accomplish, rs
the majority of the poor men had al
ready enlisted, and money, at such a
time. was no inducement to the rich
men.
He was not in an especially amiable
mood, when at the close of an unsuc-
cessful day spent in search of a substi-
tute, he entered his Office to attend to
the afternoon mail AS he read the
last letter a heavier scowl deepened
upon his forehead and he exclaimed
harshly:
"The young jackanapes need not
think that he can fool with a hornet
and not get stung. Extend their time,
indeed. Why. the interest was due
month ago! III foreclose the mortgage
tomorrow"
A new thought seemed to occur to
him, for the muscles of the stern mouth
relaxed; he smiled blandly, rubbed his
hands together caressingly, and said:
"Ar. Fisk, you're diplomats born
diplomat. You're an honor to your
country, but more particularly to your
self. If you can only manage this thing
properly, you will be all right-yes, all
right
At the close of the foregoing soliloquy
he filed out Il telegraph blank as fol-
lows:
Horace w. Packard, Carson City.
Iowa-Have found way to help you
out. Come to D. on first train.
JAMES FISK"
The message was soon dispatched.
and reached its destination Just as Hor-
ace and his mother were sitting down
to their evening meal.
"Old Moneybags Is getting awfully
considerable. all Of n sudden; what do
you suppose is back of it. mother?'
asked the boy as he handed the tele-
gram TO her.
Mrs. Packard gave a sigh which be
lied her words but she responded hope
fully, Il don't know, dear, but we will
trust that his heart has softened n little
toward the widow and the fatherless.'
Don't you think you can go with me-
mother? l believe Jones will give us
passes, so you can offer no objection on
that score; anyway, you need a change
for you look pretty tired these days"
And thus it was settled that Mrs.
Packard was to spend the week with
an old school friend, while her son at
tended to business matters.
Mr. Packard had been one of the first
of Iowa's sons to lay down his life for
his country. From the hour that his
father had marched away, Horace had
secretly cherished Il desire to join the
army. He knew that his years were
against him; then, too, his mothers
heart was so sore at the heavy blow
which had fallen on their home nest as
the result OF the war, that he never
mentioned the subject and Mrs. Pack
ard little dreamed of the great struggle
that was going on in the mind of her
boy.
How his heart swelled with patriot
ism the next day as he walked up Main
street! All D. was astir with the