Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-05-11
CHAPTER IL.
A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.

June the first came in with the radi-
ant sunshine blazing on bunting. The
citizens thronged the broad thorough,
fares to give a parting cheer to the
second Badger regiment marching away
to the war. The dusk and the dew
came settling down as the tail lights of
the last section of the troop train drew
slowly along the sweeping curve to the
south, and then the throngs that had
shouted themselves hoarse were easily
marshaled into an impromptu mass
meeting. The governor and the mayor
were to speak, and brief addresses, so
said the handbills, might be expected
from such brilliant orators as the Hon.
George McKinnon and others equally
well known. A roe of cheers about
the temporary stage on Market Square
greeted the executive Of the state-a
roar distinctly heard far on the portic0
of the modest home, wheve Paul Ladue,
looking pale and weak, sat with his
slim hand clasped in that of his faith
full friend, Fred Benton.
The long suspected enmity of Nc
Kinnon had burst at last into fame,
and the younger man found himself
suddenly involved in a whirl of trouble.
The elder Benton, after a conference
with his junior partner, had been
moved to say to Elinor that he for
babe her receiving or being seen with
Paul Ladue. To Ladue he wrote a
cutting letter, accusing him of having
taken advantage of his intimacy in
the household to seek the love and de,
stroy the peace of mind of his daugh-
ter. Then singing articles had found
their way into an evening paper, plain
ly pointing to Ladue as a rebel SYM
pathizer and one holding reasonable
correspondence with the enemy. Then
certain creditors had made a com-
bined onslaught on his failing, heart
sore father. Ladue had gradually built
up a very fair business and had won
the kindly regard of the community.
All on a sudden his store was Stunned,
save by collectors, and one night, after
a meeting at which McKinnon vas the
principal speaker, the front windows
were smashed in by half a dozen
drunken patriots and Paul, seated at q
desk over the books of the firm, was
struck in the temple and felled by a
stone. The incident brought about a
temporary revulsion of feeling among
right-thinking people and Fred Benton
had found and soundly thrashed one
of the gang of ~assailants. But little
substantial comfort could come to the
Ladues, for the old man had lost his
nerve. He seemed broken and be-
wildered. 1t cut him to the heart to
find that at this critical time in his
career, the firm to present and press the
claim of his creditors was that OF
Benton, Gray G. McKinnon. He had the
shattered windows boarded up and re-
fused at first to reopen his store. The
men who had been his best friends and
advisers, as luck would have it, had
already gone to the front as officers Of
volunteers. He was crushed and sore.
ly hurt and stung, and the well meant
words of sympathy spoken by a few
neighbors failed to reassure him.
1t wa then that Fred Benton had his
first difference with his father.
THE whole outrage, si.,' said he
"is the direct result of our partners
efforts. l hold George McKinnon re
sponsible for every misfortune thai
has befallen the Ladues in this town
and the only reaso | don't thrash hin
as I did that blackguard Irishman II
that he is your partner"
ITO Be Continued