The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-10-22

y 0A10 y S&A VO4AASt
Ing with him . more or less brillisnt
train Of satellites. There his fast life
was continued. His luck did not fol.
low him and as the months went by
his store Of cash grew less and less.
One day something over year after
he left the home city he awoke to the
realization that he was practically at
the end of his pile. This news he
gently broke to the satellites who had
been feeding off him, with the effect
that there was great scurrying of
rats to get away from the sinking
ship. All were more or less hurt at
his lack of consideration at going
broke and all accepted last little
loan from the dregs and faded away.
One night he turned into popular
roof garden, heavy with liquor, and
came directly face to face with his
father and Irene Dawson. The old
man looked him full in the face and
without sign of recognition. Irene
with an expression of disgust drew in
her skirts that they might not touch
him. A smile came into his flushed
face.
II could show them thing or two
yet--and the others, too, if it were
worth the while. Is it worth the
while? This sort of thing surely is
not"
Some months later Godfrey Whit
ford, president of Consolidated Trac-
ton system, sat in his private office
bending over his papers when the
door opened and man entered.
The man came close to his desk be-
fore the old man looked up. He faced
his son plainly dressed, perfectly
sober and with clear eyes and steady
hands.
SWELL, sir?" he said, frowning.
"Pardon my intrusion, SIR" said
the son. II have not come to ask for
anything nor to make apologies.
simply want to say to you, that I am
through. I have had all the fun
want and am now going to work. +
have decided that | will work out my
career here where had my fling and
] have a curious desire to begin it in
the very business in which I could
have started near the head.
come only to tell you of my
plans so you may not think 1
am doing anything except in the
open. I can doubtless get job down
at the barns washing cars or oiling
tracks or something. I will apply to
the foreman-unless you object. I
will do So under my own name, but
without any reliance on your favor.
Good day, sir" .
"Good day" and the old man turned
to his papers. After the door closed
he looked out of the window long
and thoughtfully. Then he sighed
and returned to his work.
About this time Irene Dawson re-
ceived letter from Earl Whitford in
which he said that he appreciated
fully how das tardly he had acted and
that he realized what he had lost;
that the only PREPARATION he could
make was to live decent life and try
to make something of himself; that
he asked nothing from her-indeed
he realized he could not, but for his
own sake he proposed to show her
that she need not draw her skirts
away when she passed him.
Earl Whitford pursued his lowly
work in the barns with the same
ardor of spirit which he had thrown
into his dissipation. His identity was
not known, but his quiet industry and
told and he was advanced
rapidly, within few months being
placed on a car as conductor. There
the great test came. As luck would
have it he was given the run pene-
trating the most aristocratic section
of the city and was compelled to col
lect fares from those with whom he
had associated in the days of his
But he stuck it out and
made no sign.
Then came the great strike. One
terrible day when everything was at
the worst there was fearful clash |
at Fifth and Plutarch streets and tie
issue depended on the motorman, who |
deserted. The conductor rushed
through the car, grabbed the lever
and amid yolleys of bricks. cobble-
stones and bullets won the day
then was carried senseless to the
hospital. Godfrey Whitford when
asked what should be done about it
1T being known by his subordinates
1t that time who the hero was) said:
"Follow the usual course" but it
was observed that the old man was
n high feather that night.
But he never relented and Earl won
his way from one place to another
,ntil he became assistant superinten-
lent Then one fine day the old man
lied and 10, and behold there was
10 will and Earl inherited the entire
state. There was only one sealed
tote from the father to the son. 1t
cad:
"My boy: you did it your way and
am proud Of you"
Earl Whitford is now the president
nd general manager of the Consoli-
lated Traction system and in lis
eart of hearts he knows that he was
he arbiter of his own fortune.
P. S.-The author forgot to relate
hat when Earl was in the hospital
lady whose face was concealed by
eavy veil visited him daily ana as
Don as he was convalescent knelt by
od 1s IL tol 1, e. /. L. |