Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-30
CHAPTER TX.

Harlan. he expected IL ne uuueI-
stood his business. and his business
was to overcome 1t. Delays did not an
noy him, difficulties did not discourage
him, complications only gave him new
zest for his task. He had never found
anything worth doing which could be
accomplished easily. He had often seen
his most careful plans miscarry, but
never without learning the reason. and
with him the discovery Of an error re-
Yealed the remedy. His success was
built upon that solid concrete OF mis-
takes, surprises, and corrections which
we call experience.
1t was with no novel sensations, then
that Mr.. Harlan returned to his house
and seating himself in the easy-chair
of his library proceeded to work out
the secret OF his failure with John Ken
nard, for at the outset he admitted he
had failed completely. There was nc
necessity for deceiving himself. He
and his easy-chair had solved many
another puzzle. remedied many another
mistake. 1t was ten o'clock-still
early in the evening for Joshua Har-
Ian. He rang the bell, ordered the
butler to oring whisky and soda, and
then dismissed him for the night.
Mr.. Harlan fillet a long glass with
whisky and soda and began working
at the problem.
Who and what was this Kennard
anyway? A man who had found his
business prepared and ready for his
hand, who had never had to work his
way up or experience setback and
failure. I. had all been such plain sail
ing that he had had leisure to theorize
and indulge his theories. coddling his
workmen and playing with economic
nostrIms until the sentimentalist In
him was satisfied and his self-suffi.
cheney complete. Let him experience
one year of real competition with no
nonsense about it, and the superior
smile would be on the other side OF
his mouth. Perhaps Trundell could be
made to see this yet, and, IL so, the
amateur economist might have his pet
theories tested and his cut-and-dried
systems disarranged in a way he little
dreamed of. He had been inclined to
work with rather than against young
Kennard. but II that individual
thought the man who engineered the
Milling Companies deal ridiculous" "
1t was plain they were an ill-assorted
couple. If
Mr.. Harlan started as he heard the
door-bell ring. and realized as he rose
to answer the summons for the first
time in many years he had worked
himself into quite a temper.
The butler had not yet retired, and
when his master reached the hall the
man handed him a card with the name
Peter McMannis printed in flourish ed
script.
"Show him in and then go to bed,
Perkins. I'll close up"
Mr.. Harlan threw himself into his
chair with a muttered oath. lit a cigar
and picked up the evening paper. He
was still reading when his visitor was
ushered in. and curt nod was all the
greeting he vouchasfed.
But McMannis seemed unabashed by
the lack of welcome. He nodded In re-
turn, and while the servant moved
about the room arranging the cigars
and glasses, he stood with his back to
the fire stroking his black mustache
which had acquired an oily look and
q dropping curl at either end. His
hair, which was plastered in little
scallops over his forehead and deeply
parted from the back Of his head, bore
evidence of the cheap BARRIERS manip-
ulation. The whole appearance Of the
man had undergone transformation
since his last visit. Every weak line
IN his face showed plainly, and his
rough, coarse features had been tenn
pered until his whole personality
fairly reeked with brutal vulgarity.
well, JOSH" he began affably, az
the butler closed the door. "You don't
seem glad to see me-"
Didn't l tell you not to call here
again."
The answer came from behind Mr..
Harlan's newspaper.
so you did. But what's the diff?
[ don't come at reception hours or ask
to meet your daughter, do IL
Mr.. Harlan slapped his paper to-
gether and smashed it down upon the
table.
You must be drunk" he mHttered.
McMannis laughed.
Damned II l don't think | am. he
retorted. but you're the winner by 1t
this time"
He stepped toward his host as he
spoke and tossed roll Of bills upon
the table.
What's that?"
"Tbe so plunks I owe you. Don't
faint, old man. They're the genuine
green"
Then you got"
ELECTED? Sure, Mike. don't
promise 10 pay yOu GIL wv ,
don't even know what 1t Is, but saio
I'd give up this, and, hell-it was
worth it to see you jump"
McMannis helped himself to cigar
bit the end off. and spat 1t out In
sputter of laughter.
Mr.. Harlan glanced suspiciously az
the man. slowly gathered up the bills
and stuffed them into his pocket with
put word.
Then he leaned forward, relit Lis
cigar over the lamp, and sat staring
at his visitor.
you got a good job?"