Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1901-10-12
Two Odd Gentlemen
from New York ~
By JOHN H. RAFFERTY,
DoBERT JOYCE, of St. Louis, 3

DOBERT JOYCE. of St. Louis, 35
n years old, attorney at law, sat in
his office reading the morning paper.
He had no practice TO speak of, but he
had hopes and rich young wife, whose
ambitions for his future career as n
public man were beginning to stir him
10 netting like mental activity. Be-
ing good mixer, handsome, eloquent
and widely known as good fellow
he naturally chose politics for his
field of effort, and, as he sat porting
over his newspaper, he was figuring in
his mind that if he ever got the con-
gressional nomination on the repub-
lican ticket in his district old John
O'Brien, democratic and present in
cumbent, would give him race for his
life, and, probably, beating. There
fore he was not overcheerful. and
hailed a rap on his door with feeling
of relief.
To his vociferous "Come in!" two ut
ter strangers entered. Both were we'll
dressed, of about his own age, Of good
address.
as this Mr.. Joyce?" said one, smil-
ing and extending his card as he saw
the friendly nod. "I'm Howard Beck,
of New York, Mr.. Joyce, and this is
my friend, Mr.. Smyth, also lawyer"
"Glad to know you BOTH" said the
radiant Joyce, motioning them both to
seats. Then Mr.. Beck drifted swift
ly into a running fusillade of small
talk, stories and witticisms, which,
though apropos of nothing in particu-
lar, amused and even delighted the
friendly Joyce. Mr.. Smyth occasion
ally slipped into the conversation witha
shat reminds me-" and the host him
self soon found that he had "a few
good ones" They snapped stories,
smoked Joyce's cigars, and made few
trips down the elevator to see the usual
fourth party till it suddenly dawned
upon Joyce that noon was at hand and
that neither of his visitors had told
the real object of the visit.
Then, as lawyers will, he began to
get just bit suspicious. He acknowl-
edged himself that he liked both Beck
and Smyth, but what, he asked himself,
did they want? Maneuvering to draw
their fire, SO to speak, he pulled out
his watch. They took the hint, but in
stead of disclosing the object of their
long call-they had been with Joyce
nearly three hours-they arose and
with great friendliness admitted that
they had stayed too long.
"We've had a delightful VISIT" con-
cluded Mr.. Beck, ''and we're glad to
have met YOU"
''Call again some time" murmured
the mystified Joyce, shaking hands.
When they were gone he puzzled over
the matter for awhile and then went
to lunch. He didn't return till nearly
two in the afternoon, but when he
opened his door he found Beck and
Smyth sitting within waiting.
They greeted him with a fresh vol
ley of scintillant stories, jokes and
"reminiscences, and before he could
make polite display of his astonish-
ment he found himself involved in the
conversation, laughing with them and
ready for more negotiations with the |
hospitable fourth party downstairs.
Nobody but the letter carrier inter-
ruted the visit, 1t was even more pro-
longed and pleasanter than that of the
forenoon, and the clock was striking |
six when Mr.. Joyce pulled out his watch |
with an expression of natural bewil-
derment. W. -.
They took the hint again, stood up,
shook hands, and for moment looked |
foolish. Joyce thought that at least !