The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-15
. USHNDLL threw down his pen so
savagely that the ink splashed
over the blotter.

~
IL "There," he said, pushing a
sheet of paper covered with fig
ures toward the other man, you will
find full statement there of both as
sets and liabilities" and he leaned
back in his chair with sigh of utter
weariness.
Rogers took the paper and ran his
eye down the columns with a rapidity
gained by long practice. As he saw
the totals, he glanced at Bushnell In a
surprised way.
you will pay out dollar for dollar"
he remarked. "That is good"
YES" said Bushnell, gloomily, at is
the one redeeming feature Of the whole
business"
The other hesitated a moment, as
though at loss how to continue. and
pulled nervously at his mustache.
"The two amounts balance exactly,
or nearly so," he said, at last. There
will be nothing left for you.'
II know it," snapped Bushnell, short
ly. you need not remind me Of 1t,
Rogers. Do you suppose I am an
idiot?"
The lawyer glanced at his friend
from under his eyebrows. and hestated
was not easily said.
II suppose you know" he continued.
finally. "that this is not necessary:
that there are ways in which 1t could
be avoided?"
Bushnell stirred impatiently in his
chair, but he did not meet the others
eyes.
"Yes," he said, irritably, II know it,
r oil hot
noon. Don't remind me of it. I have
fought that battle.'
Rogers nodded gravely.
"That's more than most men can
say" he remarked. ut was my duty
as your lawyer, to remind you of every
possibility. I am glad you choose the
other way"
It was a great deal for the hard
turned back to the paper with pursed
lips and q face slightly Redeemed by
unaccustomed emotion.
ut is a good showing" he said, at
last. much better than the street has
any reason to eXpect-or any right to
expect, for that matter This Is the
statement you wish posted?"
Yes" answered Bushnell, that's
the other arose to 60, II want to get
out Of town for a few days., Rogers.
I'm beginning to feel run down, with
the accursed worry. I'll not be need
ed here, will II"
think" and the lawyer folded the
statement carefully and put it in his
pocketbook. where can I reach you,
in case I need you?"
'At Lexington, Green county,"
'In the Catskills?"
"Yes."
''Born there, weren't you?"
"Yes."
"All right" and the lawyer turned
toward the door. "That's the best
place to go, I'm sure. Goodbye.
hope the rest will do you good"
"Thanks;" and Bushnell pulled him
self to his feet. The two men shook
hands. "Good-bye," he said.
Bushnell dropped back into his chair
ward on his hands, and the bitterness
and futility of it all weighted him
down. The rush and roar of the street
drifted in through the windows and
filled the room, but he did not hear it,
village in the Catskills full of hope
and purpose-it was not long ago in
time, but how long in events-and for
a space 1T seemed he was to win his
battle against the street. For he had
determined to win. 1t had come upon
him suddenly-this fever to show the
stuff that was in him--and he had
thought it all out one moonlight night
II nf 10 IN
He had laid his plans carefully and
had dreamed of millions. But the odds
had been too great, and he had been
caught in the ruins of the edifice,
which his own brain had built and
crushed utterly. But the bitterest
thought of all was that he must 60
back empty-handed, when he had
hoped to take so much. 1t was not for
himself alone he had hoped to win.
The station at Shandakin, a long,
low. grimy structure, was almost de-
serted as Bushnell stepped Off the
train the next afternoon. Only the
stage was there, as it was every day.
ready for the ten-mile Journey over the
hills to Lexington, and he grasped the
hand of the old driver with real
warmth.
I'm glad to see you, Jim," he said.
"How are all the folks?"
"Oh, they're all right. l reckon. But
you look kind err peaked, Mr.. Bushnell
Been workin' too hard, I spect."
Bushnell laughed.
THAT may be it," he said. "Any
way, l decided that a week or two
back here in the hills would do me
good"
$50 twill" nodded the driver. IAN
the folks will be glad to see you,
reckon. Got any luggage?"
only this" and Bushnell held up
: the grip he carried in his hand.
'All right. Pile in. You're the only
passenger"
Bushnell piled in" accordingly. Jim
elambered to the front seat, clucked to
the horses. and they We're off. The
road for the first few miles wound
through wood of stately pines, and
Bushnell lay back in his seat and took
Teat breaths of the fragrant air, and
elt his pulse beating with renewed
'igor. Up and up climbed the coach
oward the 'notch," mere dent in
,he chain of mountains, and the air
grew cool and bracing. A brook FLASHED
along by the side of the road, and
Bushnell remembered with peculiar
vividness how many trout he had
caught in IL when he was a boy. He
felt his hands itching to get hold of a
pole again, and the nostalgia of as
phalt and crowded streets. which had
been on him for the past two years,
7 slipped him imperceptibly.
The sun was dipping behind the
range OF hills in the West as they