The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-07-03
CHAPTER III.

K meeting Donald Donaldson. In
the meantime l had made a care
full investigation of his character and
ability The result was surprising
Rarely have | heard a man so highly
praised, yet this appreciation seemed
to have done him no good. The most
influential member of the firm that EN-
ployed him told me that Donaldson
was wonder III Jusl. SIS way, and
yet so far as could learn, nothing
had been done for his advancement in
two years except that few dollars
had been added to his weekly wage
which was still disgracefully small.
At the age of twenty-four he had be-
come familiar with the dull pang of
Encouragement He knew that he was
serviceable iii his place, and he had no
fear of the loss of it; indeed he feared
much more the prospect of retaining it
to the end of his days. He lacked ag-
gressive selfshness and the rude, obvi-
GUS signs of self esteem.
1t was my intention to call on him
at IL o'clock and suggest that we take
luncheon together, but was somewhat
delayed, and when l entered the hall
of the great building Donaldson was
just stepping out of one of the eleva-
tors. knew him instantly by de-
scription.
There was the usual hurrying throng.
Donaldson saw no one whom he knew,
and he gave no face a second glance,
but almost every one who had the OPP
portunity looked twice at him. 1t
would be hard to say why, for his ap-
pearance was, on the whole, conven
tional. He was upward of six feet in
man. Ills countenance was agreeable
when one had come to know him, and
his brown eyes were capable of much
variety of expression; but, as rule,
they seemed to be somewhat vacant.
Follow their glance, and it would lead
deceive in the same way, and it may
have been this appearance of focusing
his gaze upon a point where nothing
was visible to others that made Don
aldson's aspect notable.
When | spoke his name, he turned
his glance upon me slowly and with a
slight, characteristic effort, as though
his attention were being withdrawn
unwillingly from some other object.
"YesH said he.
you were going to luncheon, ! sup
pose," said l. Twill you permit me to
nd 10 ho
we lunch together?"
81 was going to the Welleslea dairy"
returned Donaldson, with faint smile.
Suppose we try Bertram's?" l sug-
gested, naming the best of the down
town restaurants at that time. "As
you are my guest, ! must guarantee
the cooking, and | am not familiar
with the Welleslea."
II congratulate you, sir" he replied.
Familiarity breeds both contempt and
dyspepsia; Bertram's, by all means"
His manner did not please me, though
that peculiar selfshness which is bred
of dependency, that general disre-
gard which springs from personal dis
satisfaction. Before we reached Ber-
trans had said to myself, This man
has been much overpraised."
We spoke of the aspect of business,
and what he said seemed common
place. Yet his words were hike his
looks-slipping by. unobserved Weeks
later ! discovered with surprise that
Donaldson could look over the top of
my hat without stretching himself, and
at about the same time certain re-
marks which he had made in that first
interview required to my mind, and /
saw how the foresight in them might
have been turned to my advantage.
AT the moment, however, / was dis
appointed and felt disposed to abandon
my intention of offering Donaldson an
excellent position. l could see that
Hackett, who was waiting for us at
Bertram's, was not favorably impress
ed at first And altogether if Don
aldson had but known our minds he
would have had cause for great anx-
iety, for the proposal which we had
thought of making to him meant no
less than a career If he should prove
worthy.
,All this was in sense, apart from
our interest in the young man as a
psychic. AS to that matter we were
determined upon an investigation If 1t
could be made without too great an
Intrusion. During the past week we
had CLEANED considerable information
about the story which DR.. Whiting of
Boston had so steadfastly concealed,
ann it seemed to US to furnish by far
the best instance of so called supernat-
ural manifestation that we had yet en-.
countered. Therefore when the time
seemed ripe for # said to him:
"Afe you not the Mr.. Donaldson who
had singular experience in regard to
his brotbeT?"
He frowned slightly, and his hand
lying upon the tablecloth, opened and
shut nevwusly.
TT is a disagreeable subject for more
reasons than one" said he. "Yet as
sumo that you are not asking from Idle
curiosity"
Ear from it." / replied. 1--WE are
attempting a very serious and careful
Investigation Of this subject. 1t ID
probable that we shall give the re
nainder OF our fives to It, and we hope
to lsave an important work behind
us."
Il should not caro- to have the thine
published" said Donaldson, with bit
ter a1n1ho
assuSod him that the usual anunym
aty would be preserved.
Tho Society For PSycntcal Research
got after me once" said he. II sue
ceeded IN lodging Il. You WIN under