The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-17


largest ginnery in the state. in addition
to several congresses. Mr.. Green had
all the appearances Of q well fed, well
eroomed, prosperous business man. his
finger tips were carefully poised before
his clean-cut face as he mentally figured
on the possibilities of a new venture
without preliminary knock the door
opened stealthily, and shutting step was
heard. Green wheeled in his chair to
confront one Of those miserable speci-
mems of humanity called a tramp, and as
his eyes met those of the visitor he rose
unsteady from his chair, with face
first white, and then covered with an
angry nush. The wreck of humany
standing before him was a ragged, mis-
cradle wretch, but there was a defiant
look in his eyes, as they rested on the
prosperous person of Ignatius Green.
In the two men thus confronting each
ether a close observer would have no.
5 ticed a remarkable similarity of face and
figure, despite the heavy beard which
covered the tramp's face and his tattered
garments.
The cotton factor was the first to speak
well, what do you want this timer he
asked angrily. II hoped that you nao
died in a ditch somewhere"
That's a fine way to greet twin
brother on his return" replied the other
with a sneer which did not altogether
conceal the lingering traces Of former
gentility. What do 1 want? Money, of
course, and l intend to have 1t. II you
dare to refuse -, well l will have
few things to tell to the congregation
of that swell church of which l hear you
arn 4IAar IN he
bank of which they say you are presi-
dent. They will be surprised to learn
that you got your start by the ruin of a
brother and bosom friend. Poor Ar
thur! He died very soon after YOU got
through with him, but don't seem able
to get Off. Maybe l have several little
matters to attend to before ! lie down
in the ditch you mentioned"
Ignatius Green's face bore a cold, hard
look, and now he smiled. Come into the
baling room. and I will talk to you. The
clerks might suspicion something at see-
ing me entertaining tramp in my pri-
vate Office he said contemptuously.
The other did not reply, and they pass
ed out together. the office force wonder
ing what business the boss could have
with the ragged tramp who followed at
his heels.
Arrived in the baling room, Ignatius
Greer, turned to have 1t out then and for
the dogs. They stood near the press. The
neecy cotton was tumbling rapidly from
the gin, the billowy cloud filling the re-
ceptacle rapidly. The hum of the ma
chinery drowned the two brothers voices.
Ignatius turned on his brother. Now"
said he, his voice vibrating with anger,
II don't intend to be bothered with you
any more I won't give you a penny, and
If you don't leave this district in short
order I will find means to make you re-
greet it. I am done with YOU"
''What?' cried the other in a frenzy, a
dangerous fire smouldering In his eyes.
''Youl you of all men, speak to me thus?
BY God in Heavenl I will have money
or throttle you'll I have stood the limit,
and If you don't make amends -
He stopped short The cold smile of his
brother maddened him. His eyes rested
on the tumbling cotton. and a horrible
thought crossed his mind. His fingers
tingled to blot out that contemptuous
face from his sight. His brother turned
to leave him. without a word. Concen-
trating the hate of years in a powerful
blow. Albert Green struck Ignatius Green
full between the eyes with terrific force.
The older brother fell like a log into the
press. His body sank down into the
yielding mass and the feecy cloud tum-
bling in quickly buried him from sight
The tramp stood gazing into the white
little room. and no one had seen the deed.
Just then one of the employees came in
and brusqueiy ordered him to get out.
AS he turned to go in dazed fashion,
the creaking of the press told him that
his brothers body was being baled up
in the cotton.
His thoughts raced through his brain.
He had been seen with Ignatius by the
clerks in the office, and he must escape
before his brother was missed. In his
confusion he knew not which way to
turn He was now out on one OF the
business streets of the town. AS he hur-
ried along with terrible fear gnawing
at his heart, he caught sight of his re-
Election In a show window A daring
scheme flashed across his BRAIN and he
uttered a great sob of relief.
A few minutes later a tattered tramp
was enquirng the way to the bachelor
apartments of Ignatius Green. the
wealthy cotton factor. That night a stray
cop might have seen the same tramp
stealing into these apartments through q
window.
Having secured all the doors and forth
fed himself against interruption, Albert
Green stood before mirror in a luxuri-
ously furnished room surveying himself
He felt like shouting with exutation. He
was now free to carry out his plans and
play for a big stake. bath and shave
brothers wardrobe did the rest. and there
stood before the mirror, adjusting his
tie, the exact counterpart of Ignatius
Green. banker, cotton factor and lead
ing citizen OF Spottsvlle.
The next day Mr.. Green, faultlessIv
dressed. stepped briskly down the street
at his usual hour on his way to the Of
fees of I. Green & Co. A close observer
might have noticed that he was a shade
thinner, but otherwise the same To
those persons who seemed to know him.
he bowed affably. A banker wished to
consult him about a business matter,
He excused himself by saying that he
was hurrying to keep an engagement
with gentleman and would return later.
AS Mr. Green entered the offices. he ap-
peared preoccupied and recognized no
one. As Ignatius Green was always cold
and distant to a degree to his employees,
this attracted no attention.
young man, presumably a private
secretary, was seated at a typewriter
Mr.. Green bowed and said;
Send the head bookkeeper to me at
once"
Mr.. Talbot" asked the young man.
Yes" said Green at a venture. land
give orders that I am not to be disturb
ed by any one. On no condition allow a
visitor to enter this office have some
very important business to attend to and
must not be interrupted" he added as the
secretary began to look surprised.
When the head bookkeeper apneared