Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-03-18
CHATTER XIII
'THE DESIRE OF THE MOTH FOR THE
c'rADv

u Deen aDie 10 trace the ways by
which it got into print, but
within thirty-siX hours the newspapers
seemed to be full of it.
! should not have regretted very Sc
riously the publication of the exact
facts, but the controversy which re-
suited was somewhat annoying. Don
aid suffered, but he bore it well. He
was beset by interviewers and persons
with cameras; all sorts of absurd tests
We're proposed to him; he received let
tiers from many serious minded inves-
tgators and a multitude of cranks, and
there were several proposals from the
atrcal managers who wished to exhibit
him. The photographers secured plen-
ty of snapshots, but the interviewers
were obliged to depend upon their own
imaeinations, for Donald would not say
u word to any of them.
All Tunbridge became debating So
ciety, though there was far less skep-
ticism than | should have expected.
My main concern IS with the attitude
of two persons, both of whom were
witnesses of the mnnlfestations-I re-
fer to Bum and Kelvin.
The effect upon Jim Bum was most
remarkable. may truthfully say that
he WAS never the same man afterward.
He had lecn profoundly impressed.
Upon Kelvin the effect was peculiar.
will wager all | possess that he had
10 mere doubt originally as to the gen.
uinencss of the manifestations than l
had. Upon that night he was shaken
to his very vitals by what he saw Yet
lpoa the third day aftcrward he told
Isaac Thorndyke, an old resident of
TEAbridge. that it was all mere trickery.
ThoriluNEe WAS the most notorious
babbler who ever existed. He never
kept secret longer than the time re-
quIrcd 20 go from the person who gave
it into his keeping to the next with
whom he had speaking acquaintance.
Kelvin. though newcomer in the
town. could not have been ignorant of
tliis. There seemed no escape from
the conclusion that he had deliberately
selected the person most likely to
sprsad the story broadcast.
was enraged ut this, and taxed
ANNi'ii WIN tuC lie SllOWeu
considerable backbone, saying that he
had only expressed Il private opinion
to an acquaintance and blaming Thorn
dyke for repeating that which had been
told in confidence. The scene between
Kelvin and myself was very unpleas-
ant, and ] could not help feeling
throughout its duration that he was
ltr fr,r To, ,,,l.
In the end said something quite
sharp, to the effect that he was an I'M
grateful brute who ought to be walk
ing on four feet and that, moreover, he
was the last member of the animal
Kingdom that had right to accuse an
other of underhand devices and dis
honest tilckery. This opened the breach
once more between the Kelvin family
and my own. Poor Donald! His boy
ish love affair was progressing over a
very rough road.
There was some reason to regret this
quarrel which would embitter the war
for the control of the branch road.
Carl Archer had Il talk with me upon
this point and suggested that II was
dyke in the quarrel. because he was Il
stakeholder in the branch. perceived
she iniquity of the situation; but, hav-
ing already given Thorndyke Il piece
of my mind, l could hardly take it
back. However, ! could not believe
that ne would make this an excuse for
deserving our party, to which he had
pledged allegiance before the incident
arose.
81 think that Donald is carrying this
matter little too far" said Carl. ut
is true thai lie doesn't seem to be doing
any harm, but we can't be sure that
he won't, because we don't know the
wonder working"
"Why don't you ask him?" said 1.
81 wish that you would" he replied
very earnestly. Hes outside. Call
him in"
cit won't do any good" said I.
"Try it." he rejoined.
lie got up on chair and looked
which is between my room and the
main office. The glass part was once
movable, but l had it fastened perma'
nently some years ago and even added
double sash in order to exclude more
efTectually the noises from the outer
office, where many people were EN-
ployed.
Hes out there, talking with Tin
Healy," he said and called Donald's
name, but the partition is SO thorough
ly impervious to sound that he was
not heard, although Healy's tall desl
is directly upon the other side of it.
an go out and get him." said Carl
"or you tell him W YOU go out
Bunn," he added to old cashier
who at that moment opened my door
"Teil Donald that we want to SEE
him"
Bum laid paper on my desk ant
made some comment. AS he turned
to 90 Donald entered.
my boy" said l, "do you know
what your future father-in-law Is say
ing about you?"
YES" he replied cheerfully; "Mr
Kelvin thinks Pm bogus. hope he'll
be able TO &c it. and then we shan
have any more trouble"
At this Jim Bum laughed nervously
'What is the exact truth, Donald?
said l.
"Well," he answered, smiling, 9Th
truth is that Mr. Kelvin would d
well to wait. He has seen things tina
were hard to explain; he will see 9th
ers that are laundering sight harder
But can't help it. call you to wit
ness, Uncle John, that was dragge
into this business by the heels. 70
know how painful 1t is to me-"
''Donald," said Carl kindly, 'tn GU
presence and upon honor-all jokin
aside-do you claim the possession
any unusual power?"
"a minute or two ago." said Donalc
"you weren't SO anxious about tn
power. You wanted to know what tn
motive was which had led me into q
this wonder-working."
Carl started and gripped the arm c