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

| remailed these mlss1veS TO me.
Speaking of friends, go into the
front room and listen to the argument
between Mason and Wilder. It's as
good as a play. Better than some"
Thanks, but ybur retreat is suspi-
cious."
"Oh. I'm going back again. You'll
find them In the font room"
| Kennard passed. Through the square
hall to the loungtng-room, and found
himself in q grtnp of men seated
around low tabl
Hello, Jack!" tried out Mason, "a
he Joined the circle: you're just the
fellow we want We've been arguing
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, handsome southerner
sitting with his long legs thrown over
the arm of his chair. "It's sheer waste
of mental tissue Alike solving riddles
without prizes"
"Oh, we know your philosophy
Leigh-'Whatever lis 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. I think without talking and
you talk without thinking; but as to
mental activity
well, 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 IL 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 his chair
| to greet a tall clean-shaven man VINO
had risen at Mason'a introduction.
Are you responsible for this apple
of discord?" asked Kennard, as he
shook Mr.. Harlan's hand.
I'm afraid am, quite uninten-
tionally. An hour ago I supposed
there was only one side to the ques-
ton. and that the one held myself"
The man smiled pleasantly as ne
spoke. &
"The Gaze Is this." began Mason.
"My friend. Mr.. Earlan, 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 It beautifully"
asked Wilder, addressing Leigh with
mock gravity. Gould any lawyer
make It more complicatedT
"Hush!" replied Leigh. holding up
q sheet of paper I'm figuring out
who the one is and who the other
which the latter and what the form
err Epr confuse mel"
"As was saying when these gentle
men interrupted" he began, and
paused go theatrically that another
interruption 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
dorsed by himself. When these were
presented for payment 1t turned out
that the mothers signature had been
forged and the lender promptly had his
friend arrested and sent to Sing Sing.
Now, Mr.. Harlan says he would rather
take the hand Of the forger than that
of the man who sent his intimate
friend to jail, while and some Of the
others think he only did his duty to
the community at large. Haven't /
stated the case fairly?" he concluded,
pompously.
"You might have put 1t more brief
ly," commented Wilder. Zone man
committed forgery and the other COM
mitted his friend or had his friend
committed. There's the thing In a
nutshell, and for my part I don't want
to know either gentleman-with all
due respect to your friends, Mr.. Har-
lam"
(which side do you take, Kennard?"
asked Mason, ignoring the speaker.
81 don't think I take either side"
replied Kennard. determined not to
crafty Mason's desire for argument
Its difficult enough to judge such a
case when you know all the surround
ing circumstances: without them it's
quite Impossible. On The whole. I'm
inclined to agree with Wilder. that
neither man seems a particularly de-
sirable acquaintance.
81 think the man who Is capable OF
sending his bosom friend to Sing Sing
would commit forgery or any other
crime under provocation," asserted
Mr.. Harlan, "but am not sure the
forger would betray his friend. so !
give him the benefit Of the doubt.
That's the way ! feel about 1t. But,
then. friendship with me Is almost a
religion"
Kennard gazed at the speaker with
a new interest. There was something
in the mans voice that compelled at
tention, but which fascinated rather
than commanded. He had been con-
scious of a deep-toned musical voice
when Mr.. Harlan first spoke. but now
the earnest, hearty ring Of honest con-
viction sounding through each note
completed the charm and made him
study the man more closely.
who Is Mr. Harlan?" whispered
Kennard to one of his neighbors. as
Mason began to air his views once
more.
He's first vice president Of the Mill
ing Companies. Haven't you ever
heard of him before? No, he's not
a member here. Mason introduced