The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-02-16
CHAPTER II.

so quiet, indeed. that a stranger Is
apt to suspect the existence of house
rules requiring whispered converse
tion and prohibiting laughter The in
fluence of the place extends oven tC
the servants. and If walter should an
nounce the service of dinner In an or
dinary tone instead of confidentialiy
communicating that information ir
| your ear, II Is safe to assume thu
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. II was with the in.
tention 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 It, tested its shad-
ow substance and passed through IT,
only TO be pursued by 1t. 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 Of
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 quarrelng
with Jones about mere matter of de-
tail? And yet the life consisted Of de-
tails. none of which could be disregard
ed with impunity.
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 II all and drift far
away from the restless hustle and
ceaseless din. II was at such times
that he 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
i thought you always had your mail
addressed to the Office"
He turned and smiled at the speaker.
Hello, Nettleton! Haven't seen you
Tor long time"
Because you haven't been here"
Il suppose that's true. but II you'd
oeen really friendly, you would have
'emailed these missives 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 your retreat is suspi-
rious."
"Oh. I'm going back again. You'll
find them In the front room"
Kennard passed through the square
hall to the lounging-room, and found
himself In group of men seated
around low table.
Hello. Jack!" cried 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
fresh mind on the subject" NJ
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. "It's sheer waste
Of mental tissue-like solving riddles
prizes"
"oh. We know your philosophy.
Ia is, and whatever
isn't isn't. 80 what's the use of talking
about IL? 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
hing. Now, Harlan, and all Of you.
'ee II don't state the case fairly, 81
lhe way. Kennard. you haven't met NJ.
Harlan. Allow me- 70 Introduce ron;
Ientlsmen,"
Ksnaard lsansd forwas1 y ~ shais
2 rsst : tsll sleea-shevee nao ~