The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-24

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hair. his step was es light and elastic
and his brain as vigorous and alert as
in a man of forty. OF old English
stock. his physical makeup presented
ali those strongly marked character
istiCs Of our race which sprung from
Anglo Saxon ancestry. but modified by
nearly 800 years Of different climate
and customs has gradually produced
the distinct and true American type
as easily recognizable among the fam
lily Of nations as any other Of the
earths children.
Tall and distinguished looking, Ryder
wouM have attracted attention any
where Hcn who have accomplished
much IN life usually bear plainly upon
their persons the indehnable stamp Of
achievement, whether Of good or evil,
which renders trsn conspicuous
among their fellows We turn after a
man in the street ana ask. Who Is hei
And nine times out of ten the object Of
our curiosity is a man who has made
his mark a successful soldier. ia
nous sailor. celebrated author, a dis
tinguished lawyer, or even notorioas
crook
There was certainly nothing IN John
Rydcr's outward appearance to Justify
Iomhroso's sensational description Of
him: "a social and Physiological freak.
degenerate aud u prodigy OF turpi-
tude who, in the pursuit Of money,
crushes with the insensibility Of n
steel machine every one who stands
In his way" On the contrary, Ryder,
outwardly at least. was a prepossess-
ing looking man. His head WAS well
shaped, and he had an intellectual
brow, while power was expressed in
every gesture of his hands ana body.
Every inch of him suggested strength
and resonrcefulnefs. His face. when
IN good humor. frequently expanded
in a pleasant smile. and he had even
! been known to lnugh b0isterously.
usually at his own stories. which he
rightly considered very droll. and Of
which he possessed goodly stock.
But I'm repose his face grew stern and
forbidding, and when his prognathous
jaw. indicative Of viii power and bull
dog tenacity. snapped to with click
like sound. those who heard II knew
that squalls were coming
But It was John Iyder's eyes thar
were regarded as the most reliable
barometer of his mental condition
Wonderful eyes they We're strangely
eloquent and expressive. and their most
singular feature was that they pos
| ,..t a., ,,,,oo -, ,,,,..,ar ~ cha 4,
color like a cats When their owner
was at peace with the world, and had
temporarily shaken OF the cares Of
! business, his eyes were OF the most
restful, beautiful blue, like the sky
after sunrise on spring morning and
looking into their serene depths II
seemed absurd TO think that this man
could ever harm fy. His face, while
under the spell of this kindly mood
was so benevolent and gentle, so frank
and honest that you felt there was
nothing In the world-purse. honor
wife. child-that. II needs be. you
would not intrust to his keeping.
When the period OF truce was ended
when the piutocrat was once more ali
sorbed IN controlling the political as
well as the commercial machinery OF
the nation, then bis eyes took on :
snakish. greenlsh hue, and one couia
plalnly read In them the cunning, tbs
avarlciousness. the meanness. the In
satiable thirst for gain that had made
this man the most INSCRIPTIONS mon
ey getter of his time. but his eyes hat
still another color, and when this las
transformation took place those de
pendent upon him and even his friends
auaked with fear, FOR they were hi
eyes Of anger. On these dreaded occa
sions his eyes grew black as dnrkes
night and flashed fire as lightning
rends the thundercloud Almost ungov
erpable fury was indeed the weakes
spot IN John, Ryder's armor, for II
these moments of appalling wrath h
was reckless Of what he said or did
friendship. self interest, prudence, al
were sacrificed
such was the Colossus on whom al
eyes were turned as he entered In
3 stantly the conversation stopped as b.
magic. The directors nudged each 9th
Ut tlu WhhDcitus Ah9hh''f'if hfN'
singled out his crony, senator Roberts
who advanced with enuslye gesture.
"IIello, scnator.'
"You're pnnctuaI, as usual, Mr., RS
der. never knew YOU 10 be late"
Ryder passed on and into the. dlrec
ors' room, followed by Senator Robert
and the other directors, the processlo
being brought up by the dapper lttl
secretary bearing the minutes.
with nod here and there Ryde
took his place IN the chalrman's SEA
! and raped for order. Then at sig
, from the chair the dapper little seer
. tary began Ia n monot0n0us voice
, read the Minutes Of the previous NEE
! ing.
; Quickly they were approved, and N
: chairman proceeded as rapidly as 20
> sibIe Will; the regular business routln
d That disposed OF. the meeting wa
/. ready FOR the chief business Of the da,
Ryder then calmly proceeded TO preset
Q the facts ~ tie case.
!. Some years back the road had a
4 quIred as an investment some tho'
/. sands Of acres Of land located In u