The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-29

West Those were the days when the
Gates fortune was represented by three
hgures, and during those river trips
he had laid the foundaaon for the
prosperity which now ran into eight
figures.
They reached Memphis at night, but
ne insisted upon glimpse of the ma
1estlc sheet of swirling, yellow water.
II was like meeting an old friend, he
declared, and, with Edith's arm held
close to his side, he added:
i never realized how tired I was I'M
til l got within sound of my old
friends voice"
The next morning they went on
board the Valley Queen. Yates thrilled
as his foot touched the deck He walk
ed br1skly to the little window on the
saloon deck and exclaimed:
Mr.. Clerk, l want two of your best
rooms to New Orleans"
blue-coated figure came close to
the window, a strong. masculine hand
held out some keys, and a voice which
made Mr.. Yates start answered:
The best two on board Mr.. Yates
and l hope you will find your trip with
us most pleasant and comfortable"
Mr.. Yates glanced wildly toward the
shore. 1t was slipping away from
them. They were III mid-stream-and
the man at the window was Allen
Houston.
Retreat was impossible. Graceful
captulation was inevitable. Yates put
out his hand
Thereafter he divided his time be-
tween the deck, which he paced with
his daughter. telling her lively yarns
of his own days as river-boat clerk,
and the office, where he shared Hous-
tons preoccupation with his duties
There was something familiar about it
all-the pleasant familiarity which
takes ten years off a mans shoulders
And Houston understood the work Just
as Yates had understood it years be-
fore. Where he had started, Houston
was starting. Sometimes watching his
daughters face, he wavered. But no;
1t was impossible. His own case had
been exceptional. All river-boat clerks
could not be millionaires, and Hous-
ton was merely of good upstate fam
lily, without social standing in the
world where Mammon ruled. but could
not buy himself and Edith an entrance.
But in time he would win-and Edith
was so lovely. She must, she could
not fail to make the desired match.
Yet Mr.. Yates found himself watch
ing young Houston curiously. He
wasn't half bad. this college-bred
youth, who could dispatch office du-
ties with ease placate patrons who
1GeIIeQ at the SLOW IIl6lHOu Ol travel,
and in an emergency could tell the
deck more things about their ancestry
than Yates had dreamed of in his own
river life.
They had quit the bluffs, and cotton
had given way to cane and rice. In a
few hours they would touch at New
Orleans. The deck hands had all been
paid off, save for the dollar which in
sured their aid in tying the boat to the
dock. The clerks duties were over. his
papers in shape, and the last landing
made. Mr. Yates met him on the sa-
loon deck and remarked: Let's go be-
low and watch those darkies lose all
their money"
The old life had him in its cluthes
Down below they went. Away in the
stern the engines pounded. Toward the
bows the furnace glowed. Between the
two, rousta bouts had gathered to gam
BILE their earnings. Some of the ne
groes We're already penniless. Others
were flushed and excited by their gains.
Yates watched the scene for an hour.
laughing at the apt remarks OF the
gamblers. Wall street was forgotten.
Social ambitions died within him. lie
was again in Aliens place. clerk
without a future. without great hopes.
Suddenly he turned:
Man. they are happier than | have
dared 10 be since ! stood where you
stand to-day. ! am wondering whether
" IS worth while-the struggle, the
Knockout blows one must give and
take Mother Mississippi has been
taking 90 me. Houston. scolding me
boz her own way" re drew Houston
aside Edith told mo once that money
"Hs not 8ii--H ! reckon rhe n right
A. ans rate YOU may aHk her n she
sfHnf hetHsf1 you"
~ hour later the boat slipped around