Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-04-10
TUBES WATERLOO.

--------
J. Llewellyn Tubb was six feet tall,
built like a keystone. handsome as
Apollo and dressed Ikea tailor's mod
el. Among the vealy Of his own sex he
was the glass of fashion and the mold
of form; among women he ranked as a
grand marshal Of dress parade He
was a necessity at smart soirees forhe
led the german with 1.-the grace and
aplomb impossible to those who are
not built and trained for that high
achievement. He had a front that
had borne him out of many a hole
He had no profession but style and
just enough brains to dodge creditors
indefinitely and get his accounts
"mixed" with everybody who had
financial dealings with him.
But after nearly six years. during
which his debts grew in inverse ratio
10 his business reputation, he woke up
one morning with a dim but insistent
realization that he was nearing the
end of his rope In mad effort TO in
duce the payment Of his rent Tubb's
landlord had shut off the steam and
the hot water His last valet was lott
ering in the street, lowering at
Tubbs window. He examined his
mail--all bills; not single pink note
nor polite invitation. So he laved
his handsome face with cold water
and perfume and began to think as
vigorously as a rabbit that has heard |
the dog.
After breakfast he picked up his |
paper, lighted cigarette and re-
clined. His eye fastened on a brief |
dispatch from Albany, which read:
Clifford A. Rogers, the millionaire |
lumber factor, formerly Of Michigan, |
died here tonight. He |
leaves an enormous fortune and his !
young wife charming :.
young wife charming E.
no children. She is devoted |
10 philanthropy. :"
Tubb dropped the paper, grabbed
itagain, reached for scissors, clipped
the Albany dispatch and with unac-
customed fervor and vulgarity muir
INJURED:
"Me TO Albany! Me for the
widow"
In half an hour, faultlessly dressed,
gloved, groomed and debonnair, he
sauntered into an office in the Gas
conade building upon the door Of |
which was the legend:
Huff & Peak, Bankers"
Mr.. Peak was glad to see Mr.. Tubb.
but became bit ferrety when the lat
der unfolded his business. He urged
his plan to marry the Albany widow
and his need of financial help for the
campaign; claimed old acquaintance
with the Rogers family and, with con-
scious FEASIBILITY, predicted that he
could win and marry the prize prob
ably within six months, certainly
within a year"
''How much will you need" said
Huff, twiddling his pencil.
81 should think $4,000 would see
me through" yawned j. Llewellyn
Tubb with assuring sang froid.
But the "banker" was finicky. He
would have to 'loOk up" the lady's
commercial rating, estimated wealth,
actual existence. He would let Mr..
Tubb know; the sum was large, no col
lateral, ETC., etc, but he would give
his answer, say in fortnight.
Meanwhile Tubb actually got busy.
He wrote many letters TO Albany, sent
Tor its newspapers and was pretty well
posted about Mrs. Rogers when Huff
summoned him to hear the answer.
II was not unfavorable. Tubb feigned
,nnui while the money lender read off
he list of the widows big estate. but
very word was trumpet note Of tri-
imph forestalled. Huff estimated the
state at something like 100000
fter the membranes had been al
owed, mostly stocks, bonds and real
state.
"We'll take a chance on this scheme,
Ir. Tubb," said the Shylock, "but, as i
Is an unuSua! risk, you'll have to