The Tupelo journal., 1906-03-23
A FATHERS CONSENT
By ELLIOTT FLowER.

W. -
Copyright, 1906, by Joseph B.. Bowles.)
The campaign was brief but excit-
ing. Elwyn Forman sought the hand
of Kathryn Randall and Benjamin
Randall said he should not have 1t.
Benjamin insisted that his daughter
had been christened Catherine" and
that the influence Of the young man
had changed the name to Kathryn"
Benjamin did not look with favor on
the modern desire to make the ~" do
extra duty In the construction Of prop
err Manassas a last letter it might be
all right, but elsewhere he considered
1t an affectation. But, after all, this
was a minor consideration; the main
trouble was that the young man gave
too much attention to social accom-
plishments and too little to business;
he was not the kind that would pros
per. At least, SO Benjamin claimed.
"Never, with my CONSENT" ex-
claimed the irascible Benjamin., when
Elwyn suggested that he and Kathryn
were of one mind and n heart and
consequently deemed it wise to get
under one roof.
why not?" persisted Elwyn.
81 do not see that l am called upon
to give reasons" retorted Benjamin.
THAT / refuse my consent is sufi-
Gent"
81 presume it ought 10 be-" admit
ted Elwyn, but it happens that un-
questioning obedience is a little out Of
date these modern days. Young peo-
pie are now taught to reason. and, be-
ing taught to reason, they insist upon
being given the opportunity to do so.
To refuse that to your daughter is to
invite rebellion. Besides, l have a
right to know why l am Objectionable
as a son-in-law."
Benjamin had not expected such a
display of determination on the part
of the young man. Perhaps that was
why he was startled into giving rea-
sons. Or it may be that his temper
led him to say the uncompli.mentary
things that followed.
You are Objectionable" he said,
because you seem to me to lack all
that spells success. l cannot see that
you have any business or financial
ability, and you certainly lack energy
and force. You may be socially re-
sourceful, but that is about your limit,
and 1 expect my daughter to marry a
really capable man.,
IF l prove that you have %misjudged
me-"
"You can't do it. You are a nice,
polite, parlor boy, but in the rough
and-tumble business world you'd be
tripped up and run over before you
knew what had happened to you. My
daughters husband must have the ag-
g~ressiveness to force recognition from
real men; he must have something
more than a " in the middle Of his
name"
Elwyn had no hesitation in point
ing out the injustice of this to Kath-
ryn.
"It is unfair" she conceded, dole
fully, because l know you're just as
good a business man as he is. And l
guess you've proved to me how earn
est and ~persevering you are"
Il wish I could prove it to him." he
said. "T'd like to have a claim against
him."
What kind of a claim" she asked.
"a claim for money that he didn't
want to pay" he explained. I'D just
like to show my business ability by
collecting such a claim"
THAT would convince him. she ex-
claimed.
He certainly couldn't say much if
I proved myself smart enough to beat
him!" asserted Elwyn. And there'd
be an awful lot of satisfaction in it,
too"
Well, l have a claim against him."
"You?"
Eyes. He promised me $500 if l
graduated at the head of my class, and
he never has paid it."
Elwyn laughed. +
That's hardly a legal claim" he
said.
$50 much the more credit for you
il you collect it," she insisted.
He'd probably pay it on demand
and spoil everything"
mot if you make the demand" she
asserted.
Still the plan did not impress Elwyn
favorably.
1t would be a great joke to.present
Benjamin RandalPs daughters claim to
Benjamin Randall, but Benjamin
would not consider it such, and moth
ing would be gained. Then a newspa-
per item attracted Elwyn's attention.
Benjamin Randall was to give a din
ner to a number of distinguished men.
The dinner. because Of the many
guests, vas to be served in the ban
quet room of a leading hotel, instead
OF in the dining room Of Mr.. Randalrs
residence.
THAT looks like an opportunity"
unused Elwyn. "All l want is a chance