The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-07-28
MEDATOR'S
SALVATION.
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By Charles Ellis Newell.

MORR1GAN and I had been the
w closest kind of friends for many
years, and when I received his tele-
gram, saying that he would arrive in
San Francisco on Tuesday night, !
Immediately made preparations to re-
ceive him. and to that end I ordered a
supper such as knew him to be fond
of; at quiet little place where we
frequently dined together when he
was on the coast.
Morrigan was the best kind of a
fellow; full of "reminiscences and story
and our little suppers were generally
concluded by him with the material
for new story for me.
Much to my satisfaction the train
proved to be on time, and soon had
the pleasure Of seeing Morrigan's gen
tal countenance and feeling the warm
clasp of his hand. He was accompanied
by q well dressed negro boy, who
carried some small luggage and whom
I took to be Morrigan's valet. l was
surprised, too, for had often heard
him express himself vigorously in dis
appreciation of such nonsense. was
further surprised also at the almost
paternal solicitude with which he
placed the boy and traps into hack
and sent him of to the Occidental,
saying: II don't know what time I'll
be up to the hotel, Dick, so you need
not stay up for me. but go to bed.''
The boy returned a polite answer in
the most perfect English; his voice
had the undefinable quality in 1t which
is invariably the product of educational
influence. However much I marveled,
was wise enough to do it mentally;
but felt impressed; that somehow
or other that boy was going to be
concerned in one of Morrigan's stories;
nor was I mistaken, for after the ex-
change Of platitudes Of personal event,
and we had arrived at that period when
a fellow who has dined feels mellow,
and the ascending curls of smoke rep
resent pretty much of present trouble,
Morrigan Unexpectedly began:
Hanged If he amt worth it, even II
he was twice as black. What do you
think Of him?"
What do I think of hint" 1 an
swered. why, he's daisy. Who do
you mean?"
That's So" he replied good natured-
"; 'Td forgot that you did not know.
I mean my son." s#
Your son." I stammered; "why,
you are not even married, and ii
you"
stOf course" he interrupted, laugh
ing heartily, II don't mean to shock
your morals. I mean my adopted son;
the colored boy you saw with me to-
night" He saw that I was perplexed.
Yes" he continued, adopted him up
and down, dyed in the wool; as fast
as the law can do it. Why, I'd rather
be the actual father Of the white soul
under his black skin than to acknowl-
edge paternity of some white trash
I've run across"
- You must have had strong reasons
for, doing this" I answered; "still
your business is your own. and it's
not for me to adversely criticise your
actions"
s.Don't you think for moment" he
returned. "that I am callous to tn.
opinions Of my friends, and it is fol
this reason precisely that am going
to tell you the story, and don't think
that you, or anyone else, could see
wherein I could have done otherwise
in all justice. What tel YOU may
sound Quixotic, but when you know
that this boy was the means of saving
me over $40 1000, and a horse worth hal
as much more, with no other incentiv,
than gratitude, and small occasion fol