Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-16
CHAPTER III.

The Thespians' club Is always quiet
so quiet, indeed, that a stranger Is
apt to suspect the existence Of house
rules requiring whispered conversa-
tion and prohibiting laughter. The In
fiuence of the place extends even to
the servants, and II waiter should an
nounce the service of dinner in an or
binary tone instead Of confidentially
communicating that information In
your ear, n Is safe to assume the
chef has a new man in the dining
room. But after one becomes accli-
matized this air Of gloom seems to
evaporate and the atmosphere is rest
full rather than oppressive. So. when
ever Kennard turned his steps toward
Grammercy park, 1t was with the In
tentien of reaching the Thespians and
closing its friendly portal against the
noisy clamor Of his favorite phantom
business. He had pursued the phantom
relentlessly for more than Is years.
had caught up with 1t, tested its shad-
ow substance and passed through It,,
only 10 be pursued by It. At Is years
of age he had dedicated his life to
carrying forward business which
three generations of Kennards had
built up. and he had succeeded. This
devotion had cost him many prema-
turely gray hair-but what are gray
hairs when ones life has been dedi-
Gated?
John Kennard. the third Of his name
and only grandson Of the founder or
the house, had made money-plenty
Of money-long before he was 30, but
he worked on with feverish zeal until
his partner died. Then the chase be-
gan to lose interest He had been
hunting in couples" too long. he said,
to work alone-he was unmarried,
there was no one who had claim on
him-he would abandon the pursuit
But when he hinted at this intention,
there was such dismay pictured on the
faces of his employees. that he decided
there were some who had claims on
him, after all, and reconsidered his de-
termination. He reorganized his en-
tire factory in the interest Of his en-
ployes. and settling into the saddle
again. started out for new goal.
But the chase somehow lacked Its
old fascination. The whole thing
seemed too much like game. and he
would smile occasionally to find him.
self taking 1t so seriously-mechanic-
ally interested, instinctively excited
about things which. when he stopped
to think, were of little or no impor-
tance. What was the use Of fretting
over Smiths pettiness or quarreling
with Jones about mere matter Of de-
tail? And vet the life consisted Of de-
tails. none Of which could be disregard
ed with lmpunity.
There were days. however, when the
struggle embittered him almost beyond
endurance, when every face looked
hostile or strange. and he longed to
have done with It all and drift far
away from the restless hustle aad
ceaseless din. 1t was at such times
that lie took refuge In the Thespians,
where business seldom entered, and
the conversation Of the library or
smoking-room had other topics than
money. mart, or trade.
There were not many members In
the club when Kennard entered. This
he could see by glance at the door
keepers list as he handed his coat and
hat to the servant. He passed up the
few steps leading from the entrance to
the square hall. stopped mechanically
at the head of the stairs. and taking
the letters out of the piegeon-hole,
looked them over
II thought you always had your mail
addressed to the office"
He turned and smiled at the speaker.
Hello, Nettleton! Haven't seen you
for long time"
Because you haven't been here"