Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-07-26
CHAPTER Ix-(Continued. ,

the sweet, clear voice knew so well
saying:
I'll just disturb him for moment. Mr.
Jones. l want him to tear himself from
work for day. and come for a ride"
She opened my door, and came swiftly
in. On seeing the Colonel she took in
Have you told him."
81 have lust done so, Signorina." he re-
piled.
/ had not energy enough to greet her
so she alsc sat down unlimited, and took
off her gloyes-not lszily, like the Colonel,
but with an air as though she would. if
man, take off her c@t, to meet the
crisis more theoretically.
At last | said, with conviction:
He's wonderful man How did you
find it out, Colonel?''
Had Johnny Carr to dine" said that
worthy.
You don't mean he trusted johnny"
odd, isn't it?" said the Colonel. With
his experience, too. He might have
known Johnny was an idiot. / suppose
there was no one else"
HE knew" said the Signorina, ANY
one else in the place would betray him
he knew Johnny wouldn't if he could
help it. He moderated your powers,
Colonel"
WELL" said l, 81 can't help it. can
|? My directors will lose. The bond
holders will lose. But how does it hurt
me?"
The Colonel and the Signorina both
smiled gently.
You do it very well, Martin" said the
former, but it will save time if l state
that both Signorina Nugent and myself
are possessed of the details regarding
the (the Colonel paused, and strok-
ed his mustache).
The second loan" said the Signorina.
L was less surprised at this, recollect-
Ing certain conversations
"Ah, and how did you find that out?"
l asked.
"She told me-" said the Colonel, indi-
eating his fair neighbor.
And may ask how you found it out,
Signorina p
The President told me-" said that
lady.
We'll, as you both know all about it,
it's no good keeping up pretenses. It's
very kind of you to come and warn me-"
You dear good Mr.. Martin" said the
Slgnorina, our motives are not purely
those of friendship"
why, how does it matter to you?"
Simply this" said she, 1.-The bank and
Its excellent manager own most of the
debt. The Colonel and / own the rest.
Ii it is repudiated, the bank loses: yes,
but the manager and the Colonel and the
SignOrina Nugent are lost ~
L didn't know this" l said, rather be-
wildered
Yes" said the Colonel, when the first
loan was raised l lent him 100000. We
were thick then, and did it in return for
my rank and my seat in the Chamber.
Since then I've bought up some more
shares
You got them cheap, l suppose?"
said /.
Yes" he replied, 81 averaged them at
about rs cents the tve-dolar share"
And what do you hold now, nominal?"
Three hundred thousand dollars" said
he, shortly.
L understand your interest in the mat
ter. But you, SignorinaY'
The Signorina appeared a little en-
barrassed. But at last she broke out
L don't care if 1 do tell you. When
| decided to stay here had $4,000. He
persuaded me to put it all into his horrid
debt. Oh! wasn't it mean, Mr.. Mar
TIM"
The President had certainly combined
business and pleasure in this matter.
"Disgraceful ~ l remarked.
And if that goes, l am penniless-
penniless. And there's poor aunt. What
vii she do?"
Never mind your aunt said the Colo
mel, rather rudely. We'll" he went on.
you see we're in the same boat with Won.
Martin"
Yes; and we shall soon be in the same
deep water" said /.
Not at all" said the Colonel. "Finan-
cial probity is the backbone of country.
Are we to stand by and see Aureataland
enter on the shameful path of repudia-
tion?'
Never cried the Signorina, leaping
up with sparkling eyes. "Neverw
She looked enchanting. But business
Is business; and l said again:
What are you going to do~
I'VE are going, with your help. Mar
tin, to prevent this national disgrace. We
are going lowered his voice. useless
~, for the Signorina struck in. in a high
merry tone, waving her gloves over her
head, with these remarkable words:
"Hurrah for the Revolution Hip hip
hurrah ~
The Signorina looked like a Goddess of
Freedom in high spirits and Paris bon
net. She broke forth into the "Marseil-
laise"
For mercy's sake, be quiet :" said Nc
Gregor, in a hoarse whisper "If they
hear you. Stop, tell you, Christina -
Kindly unfold your plan. Colonel" /
said. Il am aware that out here you
think little of revolutions, but to a new
conner they appear to be matters reuuir-
ing some management. You see we are
only three"
II have the army with me-" said he,
grandly.
I'm the outer Officer" asked I, indulg-
Ing in sneer at the dimensions of the
Aureataland forces.
Look here, Martin" he said. scowling,
IF you're coming in with us, keep your
jokes to yourself"
Don't quarrel, gentlemen" said the
Signorina. ITS a waste of time. Tell
him the plan, Colonel"
1 saw the wisdom of this advice, so /
said:
Your pardon, Colonel. But won't this
reputation be popular with the army?
If he lets the debt slide, he can pay
them"
Exactly" said he. Hence we must
get at them before that aspect of the
case strikes them. They are literally
starving, and for ten dollars man they
would make Satan himself President.
Have you got any money, Martini"
Yes" said l, "a little'
How much?'
Ten thousand" l replied; II was
keeping it for the interest"
"Ah, you won't want it now"
Indeed / shall-for the second loan,
you know"
Look here, Martin: give me that ten
thousand for the troops. Stand in with
us, and the day l become President I'll
give YOU back your $500 600 Inst look