The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-22

Don Q. with much amiability 4 count
myself fortunate in meeting you At one
time or another members Of various pro-
fessions have honored me here in the
mountains-sportsmen doctors, politicians
and so on: but never before a millionaire.
They came to me IN various ways-by
rail. by carriage, on foot and on horse
back. But you. senior, outdld them all
by rushing headlong into my domains in
an automobile The chief smiled. as
though paying his companion compile
ment.
''Ah, the sconndrele said McCorkadale
reminiseently. Then. resuming his flip
pant manner: You've got the better Of
me this trip. Well. I must communicate
at once with my secretary This ran
som Will take some time to collect AID
ding to himself. but may [ he skinned If
ever you finger a penny of it!'
It was the evening of the second day.
Don Q. and his guest were sitting with
in the cave over cigarettes and coffee
The conversation. touching on many
points, fingered long on present-day finan-
cial methods. McCorkadale had explained
the nature of trusts and corners" He
had gaily admitted that such combina-
tons stife legitimate trade, that COM
panies TO absorb any special line could be
engineered with the effect of starving
small traders out Of their lawful share
of business. A description of the corner
in corn was given, though its promoter
modestly omitted to mention his interest
iii the operation.
Don Q. listened with attention.
1T would appear from much that you
have been good enough 10 tell me. senior,
that business is a cloak for many sores, .
he remarked
McCorkadale showed his white teeth in
a eomplacent grin.
4 suppose one must acknowledge so
much. But what does 1t matter as long
as the sore is on the back of another
MANI he replied.
Don @. eyed him brodingly.
You may not be aware, senior. that
! had strong views on ones duty toward
ones neighbor." he said.
1T goes without saying laughed the
Cuban; but. l presume. stronger ones
on ones duty to oneself?"
The chief raised a delicate yellow fore
finger.
Pardon me. l think not he said with
some grimness. But it seems strange
to me that 1, who occasionally perform
the meritorious action of relieving the
rich of part of their wealth, and there
by decreasing their temptations. am put
outside the pale of the law. whereas these
of whom you speak spend their lives In
robbing the poor, and yet are respected
and praised. How is this?''
"A matter of luck, | suppose respond
ed the other indifferently But there is
something | want to talk over with you
Just reconsider the subject of my ran
som e50.OO0 is a long price,
Done Q. rose abruptly.
AT the end of the week, senior. when
we have come to know one another bet
ter we will speak of it again.
but the delay is absurd exclaimed
McCorkadale angrily. Il cannot permit
it, insist
Don Q. raised his hand.
There are two courses open to you"
he said slowly. Either YOU remain as
my guest, in which case | am sure you
will respect my preiudces, or you will
become the guest of my children In the
valley, who will, | fear not be likely to
respect yours
The Cuban set his jaw. 1t was intol-
cradle,
Call up your comrades, Gaspar, Ro-
bledo and the rest, and settle the mat
ter out of hand" he said insolently, los
ing hold on his temper; but the chief
walked away into. the interior of the
cave without replying.
1t was evident that detention in the
mountains annoyed the Cuban out of all
proportion to the hardships 1t entailed
Don Q. became serious, and at the end of
the week he spoke:
at would seem, senior that my hospi-
tally does not meet with as much of
your approval as | could wish. -
This has lasted long enough broke
out the other irritably. Even your So
ciety and that of your companions, Gas
par & Co. down there'-he pointed a