The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-07-21

until we're all talked out and obstinate.
Sit down and give us the benefit Of q
fresh mind on the subject"
Don't let them draw you into this. "
drawled Leigh. a handsome southerner,
sitting with his long legs thrown over
the arm Of his chair. ITS sheer waste
Of mental tissue-like solving riddles
without prizes"
"Oh, we know your philosophy,
Leigh-'Whatever is is, and whatever
isn't isn't, so what's the use of talking
about it?' But, thank the Lord, we're
not all so mentally lazy"
"Um. l think without talking and
you talk without thinking; but as to
mental activity
We'll, just continue your thinking
part for few minutes and let's hear
what Kennard has to say about this
thing. Now, Harlan. and all Of you.
see II don't state the case fairly. By
the way. Kennard, you haven't met Mr..
Harlan. Allow me to introduce you.
gentlemen"
Kennard leaned forward in bis chair
to greet a tall clean-shaven man who
had risen at Mason's introduction.
Are you responsible for this apple
of discord?" asked Kennard, as he
shook Mr.. Harlan's hand.
I'm afraid l an, quite uninten-
tionally. An hour ago | supposed
there was only one side to the ques-
ton, and that the one held myself"
The man smiled pleasantly as he
spoke.
THE case is this" began Mason.
my friend. Mr.. Harlan, knew two
men who were lifelong friends. They
were classmates in school and room
mates in college. Some years ago
they came to New York and lived In
the same house. One Of the men was
more successful than the other, and
from time to time the latter borrowed
money from the former"
Doesn't he do 1t beautifully"
asked Wilder, addressing Leigh with
mock gravity. Gould any lawyer
make It more complicated?"
"Hush!" replied Leigh, holding up
a sheet of paper I'm figuring out
who the one is and who the other
which the latter and what the form
err Don't confuse mel"
"As was saying when these gentle
men interrupted" he began, and
paused so theatrically that another
threatened-"as | was
saying, one Of the men borrowed money
Of the other until the borrowings grew
into a large total. The debtor gave
in payment his mothers notes in
1orsed by himself. When these were
presented for payment it turned out
that the mothers signature had been
'orged and the lender promptly had his |
friend arrested and sent to Sing Sing. |
Now, Mr.. Harlan says he would rather
AXE the hand OF the forger than that
II the man who sent his intimate
riend to jail, while and some of the
,thers think he only did his duty to |
he community at large. Haven't
stated the case fairly?" he concluded,
you might have put II more brief
"" commented Wilder. zone man
committed forgery and the other COM
nitted his friend or had his friend |
committed. There's the thing in q
Iutshell, and for my part don't want
o know either gentleman-with all
ue respect to your friends, Mr.. Har-
an"
(which side do you take, Kennard?"
sked Mason. ignoring the speaker
II don't think l take either side"
eplied Kennard, determined not to
ratify Mason's desire for argument.
It's difficult enough to Judge such .
ase when you know all the surround
lg circumstances; without them it's
ute impossible. On the whole, I'm
lclined to agree with Wilder, that
either man seems a particularly de-
Irable acquaintance"
II think the man who Is capable Of
ending his bosom friend to Sing Sing
ould commit forgery or any other
lime under provocation," asserted
Tr. Harlan, but ] am not sure the
,rger would betray his friend. so |
I've him the benefit of the doubt.
hats the way / feel about It. But, II
len, friendship with me is almost a
,lision."
Kennard gazed at the speaker with
new interest There was something !
the mans voice that compelled at
ntion, but which fascinated rather
an commanded. He had been con- >
ious of deep-toned musical voice !
hen Mr.. Harlan first spoke, but now !.
e earnest, hearty ring of honest con- =
ction sounding through each note :
the charm and made him !.
udy the man more closely.
"Who is Mr.. Harlan?" whispered !,
ennard to one of his neis hbors, as
ason began to air his views once
ore
Hes first vice president of the Mill
g Companies Haven't you ever
ard of him before? No, he's not :.
member here. Mason introduced
m. A very able man they say. and
ghty good company. Help me :,
itch Mason off this COMPOUNDED topic =
d You'll find an interesting man in :.
J friend" q
If YOU mako friendship religion