The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-11-29

ters would makc-a brighter showing for
himself. How many times have you
yourself talked to me OF this eternal
excuse habit OF men who fnilg And w l
expended my limited brain power Ia
looking into all the excuses and vxpla-
nations. what energy or time would i
have for constructive work? All l can
do In To select a man for position and
20 Judge him by results. You were put
I'm charge To produce dividends. I'm
sorry. and venture To hope that things
arc not 80 bad as you make out in your
cagerncss TO excuse yourself. For the
sake OF OLD times. Tom. I ignore your
angry destinations against me. l try TO
ba Just. and Co be Just one must al
ways be impcrsonnl."
Well" said Walters with nm air OF
desperation, give me another year. Mr..
Rocbuck. and I'll produce results all
right. Ill break the agreements and
cut rates. I'll freeze out the branch
roads and our minority stockholders.
I'll keep the books go that all the cN-
pert accountants ia New York couldn't
untanglc them. III wink at and COM
NIT and order committed all the nee
,ssary crimes | don't know why I've
been so squcamish. when there were 80
many pCnitCn;iary offcnscs that ! did
consent 20. and. for that matter. com
init. without CULVER. l thought
ought To draw the line somewhere
and I drew Il ut keeping my personal
word and NJ keeping the books reason
ably straight. But I'll 80 the limit
I'll never forget Rocbucks express
sion. 10 was perfect, simply pcTfcCt-a
great and good man outraged beyond
endurance. but a Christian still You
have made ~ Impossible for ne To- tenn
per justice with mercy. Walters said
he. III IL were not for the long years
" association. for the affection for
you which has grown up IN me,
should hand YOU over To the fate you
have earned. You tell me you have
been committing crimes In my service.
You tell me you VIII commit more ana
greater crimes. | can scarcely believe
.ny own ears
Walters laughed scornfuily-thc rcck-
less laugh OF a man who suddenly sees
that he II corncred and must fight for
hts life. Rot" hc icCrcd. ROT You
always have been wonder at Juggling
with your conscience. But do YOU eN-
pect inc To believe you think yourself
innocent because YOU do not yourself
execute tho orders you issuc--ordcrs
that can bc carried out on1y by COM
hitting crimes" Walters was now be-
side himself with rage. lie gave the
reigns to- that high horse be- had been
riding ever since he WIS promoted TO
the presidency OF the great coal road
lie began To lay ou whip and spur.
the blood of those 500 men drowned
IN tho PcGuot mine is not on your
hnnds--your head? You, who ordered
John Wilkinson TO suppress tho compe-
tition the Pcguot WAS giving you, or
dercd him I'm such a way that he knew
the alternative WIS his own ruin? He
shot hlmsclf-yet he had as good an
excuse ms you. for he, too, passed on
the order until II got to the poor fire.
man-that wretched fellow they sent to
the penitentary for life? And as sure
as there Is God In heaven. you VIII
some day do long. long sentence In
whatever hell there is, for letting that
wretch rot In prison--yes, and for John
wilkinson's suicide. and for the lives
Of those 500 drowned. Your pensions
To the widows and orphans can't save
you"
listened to this TRADE astounded
Used as I was IL men losing their
heads through vanity. could not cred
10 my own ears ana eyes when they
reported Ia me this insane exhibition.
I looked az Roebuck. Ic waS wearing
I'm cXpr, sslon or bcatiiic patience: he
would have made n fine study FOR n
picture or the martyr az the stake.
Il forgive you. Tom" he said. when
Walters stopped for breath. Your own
sinful heart makes you see the black
or sin upon everything. l had heard
loud boasts OF your power over your
employers. but | tried not to believe IT,
I see now that YOU have. indeed, lost
your senses. Your prosperity has been
too much for your good sense. He
sighed mourufully. II shall not inter-
fere To- prevent your getting position
elsewhere" he continued. but after
what YOU have confessed. after your
ISLANDERS. how can ! put you back In
YOUR old plac" ont west. as ] intended
How can continue the interest In YOU and
care for your career that have had. In
spite OF all your shortcomings? who
raised you up from a clerk
Raised mo up as you fellows always
raise men up--because YOU ind them
clever az doing your dirty work. | Was a
decent, honest fellow when you FIRST took
notice or mo and tempted me. But, by
God Mr. RoUbuck. " I've sold out beyond
hope az living decent again. I'll have my
prlcc-io the last cent. You've got 10
leave me where I am or give me a place
and salary equally a. good" This walters
said blustcriugly but beneath ! could
detect the beginnings OF whine.
You are angry. Tom" said Rocbuck
soothlngiy. II have hurt your Naniiy-it
~ one of tho heaviest crosses ! have To
bear that ! must h. continually hurting
tho vanity or men. Go away and@and
calm down. Think the situation over
rOOltN. tnru come ana aIolhAl@F W "ftu
! will do what I can TO help you. A. for
your thrcatH-whcn you are calm you VIII
scc how Idle they are
Walters gave sort Of groau: and
though l. blinded by my prcJudiccs In
favor OF Rocbuck and OF the crowd with
whom my Interests lay. had been feeling
that he WAS All impudcnt and crazy In
crate. pitied him.
What proofs have 7 goi2' he said deS-
peraieiy IF show up the things ! know
about. I show myself up. aud everybody
win say I'm lying about you and the
'othcrs ia the cnori To save myself The
newspapers would denouncc me az a
trcachcrous llar-you fellows own or con-
troll or fcozle them IN one way and an
other And n I Was believed. who'd pros
~cutc you and what courtd condemn YOU >
Don't sou own both political parties and
make all ~. tickets and can't you ruin
any Office holders who lifted a finger
against YOU. What he'll OF state Of
Affairs"
A swifter or n weaker descent I never
Witnessed. My pity changed to contempt.
This fellow. With his great reputation. .
though; I. lis foot and knayc, and a
weak ono at that"
Go away now. Tom.' Fald Roebuck.
when you're master % yourself again.
come 20 see me"
s.Mastcr NJ rnyseis'" ,.rl.d NC,ttcr, lie,