The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1905-01-25
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gone round to herald the. approach of
circus or menagerie.
No one had ever expected to see
James again, unless in hopeless pow
erty and iluttering rags; but here he
was,ta tand it was obvious that poverty
~3nd James were not even acquainted.
Ten years previously James Ruther.
lord, at that time young man of
three-and-twenty, departed from Slow
ford, leaving behind him the prettiest
Of bad characters.
He was wild, bad bT, said every.
body Except some of the women,
whom he had deluded with his hand.
some face and wicked eyes), and he
would end his days In the workhouse
or on the gallows. When he finally
cleared out 1t was with no regret on
his part, and with good deal Of re-
lief on his neighbors. And nobody ever
expected to see him again.
He went Off, rather down.at-heel,
mocking, daredevil lad; he returned
very carefully-attired. prosperous-look-
ing, well-fed gentleman, with sober
manners and an air of distinction.
The truth soon leaked out. James
Rutherford had drifted to South Afri-
ca. had struck oil in the shape of dia-
monds, had seized his chance with the
tenacity of genius, and was now mil
lionaire. A millionaire in ten years!
There was no doubt of 1.-THE parson
and the doctor had seen his name in
the papers.
Mr.. Rutherford-plain James no
longer-went around the neighborhood
and paid OFF numerous debts which he
had contracted during his youthful
daSs-paid them with handsome inter.
est. He further discharged some oblig-
ations incurred long years before by
his father, who, like the pre-reformed
James. had not been very particular
about money matters.
James did things in great style: 1t
was evident that there was nothing
mean about him. And the apotheosis
OF his glory was arrived at when he
invited all the principal folk of the
village-parson. schoolmaster, farm
ers, tradesmen-to dine with him in
the big room Of the Red Pig, while
all the rest of the folk, even down to
the babies, were regaled with supper
in the coaclihouse outside.
Everything was done handsomely;
gentlemen were invited to take appe-
tizers-sherry and bitters, gin and bit
ters, and what not-until dinner was
ready, and all at Mr.. Rutherfords ex-
! pense. And everybody did, seeing that
it cost nothing, and tongues wagged
freely.
Never had such a repast been
served in the history of the village.
There were dishes which the simple
Slowford people had never heard of,
and wines which they would never
taste again. There were delicacies
hard to procure, and liquors and coffee
that made most of them wonder II
they were dreaming
There were speeches by Mr.. Ruth
erford, who spoke very modestly and
feelinsly; and by the vicar, who
voiced the pride of the village In this,
its distinguished son, and by the old
est man present, who said that he'd
seen many amazing things in his
day, but this was the amazingest of
all.
Then came a visit to the coach
house. where there were more
speeches, and some songs, and singing
of For He's jolly Good Fellow"
from the assembled company, and then
James and his guests returned to the
great room, where cigars of the best
brands, and spirits and similar crea-
ture comforts we're laid out, and set
tied themselves for an evenings con-
viviality.
The conviviality chiefly consisted,
however, In listening to James. He
took good care to see that every mans
glass was constantly replenished, that
a fresh cigar was always to his hand,
and that everybody was comfortable.
And he talked-talked well ana cas-
lily, not in any braggart fashion, but
In modest, assured tones, after the
fashion of man who knows that he
has proved himself.
He told them of his adventure, of his
work. of the coming of success, of the
building up of great business; and,
at the request of the parson, he enter.
ed into a learned, but simply-worl,ed I'd
disQuisition on the prospects of dia-
mond-mining in South Africa, and dis.
played such marvellous knowledge OF
1t in Its scientific and financial aspects
that his audience broke up in amaze.
ment at his ability and cieverness.
Next day Mr.. James Rutherford had
many callers. Each caller had the
same story to tell. He had saved
money and money had come to him
from his forbears (they were a thrift.
ty and q hardwoRsing, self-denying
people. the Slowford folk, and they
would like to know If Mr.. Rutherford
could not invest 1t for them in his own
concerns or in something similar, that
would bring in heavy interest.
And with each Mr.. Rutherford talk.
ed carefully and in businesslike fash
Ion. and each went away feeling as
sured that he had been conyersing
with master-mind in finance, and that
his money would be safe, and he him
self rich man. And he naturally told
all his friends what he was going tc
do, and everybody applauded, because
everybody was going to do the same
thing.