New-York tribune., 1903-07-12


It takes one Of those pines Of mine three hun
dred years to grow-three hundred years of
snow and sunshine; head up, heart clean all
the time, till it gets to where it can see the
world. And then do you think I'm going to let
some whipper-snapper of a man come along
with an and saw and turn those three cen
turies into joists and firewood? No, sir; when
God wants those trees down, He can blow 'em
down" Thus the pickle maker rambled on
thrusting possible gratitude further away from
him for a while, but gradually growing uncon-
scious of anything but his own enthusiastic ad-
miration for his pines
'Of course, it's the associations of those trees
that count" suggested Bradford.
That's it, associations. What they've
and outIived-that's the thing"
And yet I've heard rumors"- Bradford
stopped.
''Wen, sir?"
I've heard rumors that the associations You
speak of are going to get shock"
How so? How so?'
Not of the trees; but of something else that's
seen quite bit OF, life, too"
What do you mean?"
"Carfax College"
What do they say about Carfax College?"
They say it may turn into university one
Of these days.
They do, do they?' The pickle maker looked
at Bradford keenly. Now, Mr. Bradford you
let me tell you story. I started in business
in small way, as maybe you know, and 1
hadn't much of a plant-just one building and
it was out west of here about four miles. Well,
1 made money out there; and what's more 1
got to love the place. Seems mighty funny to
young fellow like you that anybody could love
a pickle factory, now, don't it? I went out to
that old place every morning, pretty near for
six I lyrey in,
spot where the paint was off. It was mine,
mine, don't you see? Don't you know that
sensation, where you've done something id
good'- Bradford glanced at the minister but
Murdoch never noticed. Something you didn't
know whether you could do not, and every
body said you couldn't do? That was me. I
was born to love or hate, you know; I never
do with halfway emotions. I never had a
child, but I reckon l know what it would be to
love one, Just the same Mind you was going
out to that old factory for years. had part
ner-third partner-ane a young fellow as ever
was, but a bit conservative; he'd rather walk
than run, even if he knew his road that sort
of man. Well. after a while I began to see
that my old place was just about at the end of
her usefulness to me. If I wanted to get on
I'd have to branch out. My, but I hated to
think of breaking UP and getting out! You
won't believe that either, perhaps; but did
But what was there to do? Things were NOV
ing; had to move, too"
81 see," said Bradford, as the pickle maker
paused
But that partner Of mine" the big man re-
suned, musingly. ''he couldn't look at it Just as
I did. He'd been working out there, too; he
was part Of it; he felt toward it just as did
Only he wasn't as sure I that it would
pay to tear down and build bigger 1 argued
and argued, but couldn't convince him, though
I managed to make him believe was in earnest
finally. So l said to him one day. Sam 1 said
will you shoot, or viii you give the old man the
gun% He looked me right in the eye. tell
you, he was a hrst-class young fellow. john
says he, is it one the other? Yes it is >
says Take the weapon, John says he, for
I'll bet never could hit your target And he
drew out and went on by himself, and he's doing
well-fairly we'll He spoke to me about it
once, three years ago or so. I guess you hit
the bulls eye, john he said, but I'm not bit
sorry I kept off the range That was Sam; he
knew his own mind"
Good night. Amy said the minister abb
ruptly, and came toward them leaving
Miss Power. Murdoch, must be going VIII
you come along Mr.. Bradford?" He took a
pipe from some mysterious pocket and filed it
carefully. Got a match? No? Then must
just use one of my own" He lit his pipe puffed
vigorously, and at some sign of disapprobation
in Miss Powers eyes he smiled. Never mind
Amy; I'll be gone in a minute. Come along
Mr.. Bradford, if you've said good night" Brad
ford allowed himself to be led away 1t was
too obvious that Charges was privileged in Muir
doch's house. Some men might have resisted.
run the chance of making themselves ridicu-
lous, and ended by certain knowledge where
Bradford possessed only uncertain fear.
Fine night said the r1jy5iS+ar
lively, when they were in the street He smoked
like an engine for two squares; neither said a
word. 4 turn off here; good night Mr. Brad
ford" He nodded and was gone, leaving Brad
ford to two thoughts first Carfax College was
likely to see revolution; second, what was the
exact relation of this free and easy minister.
who not a priest to the Murdoch house
hold and particularly to Amy Power?
This second thought lasted Bradford all the
way home-and after.
TO be continued)