The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-21

Mr.. Potter puts too high a value on
bis own services. am the best judge
of the worth of what he has done for
US As payment in full for his work
in the case of the Merchants Packing
company, I inclose a check for 81, OO0
Also a receipt in full which he viii sign
and return without delay
The note was signed by Isaac Wag-
ner, head Of the beef trust. As Peter
Potter read it the muscles about his
mouth frightened. So Wagner intended
to treat him as he did everybody else
paying no attention TO contracts made
by his subordinate? The privateer got
up and stood before the window, his
head sunk down between his broad
shoulders, his hands in his pockets
rocking backward and forward from
heels TO toes. He pictured to himself
the squat, fat figure of the president OF
the beef trust, utter contempt for the
rights of others written in the express
sion of the heavy, pendulOus lips and
the scOrnful glare in the little rat eyes
half hidden in the folds of flesh.
Wagner was the perSonificatiOn OF
the inhuman. brutal power of money
Into the mind of Peter Potter came a
venomous resolution to teach the old
Mr.. Potter engages to shortly give
AIT Wagner a more exalted idea of the
value of his services" he wrote. HE
incloses RECEIPT for $1,000 on account,
the remainder of his fee he will pro-
coed to collect at his convenience"
He inclosed this note in a letter to the
general manager of the Wagner Pack
ing company, with whom the broken
contract had been made. That evening,
- IL
the North Side for a lonely walk
through Lincoln park.
1t was warm night in late October
and a red moon hung in the western
sky. AS he walked up the splendid
sweep of the drive, he could hear the
waves whispering against the sea wall
and scattered here and there on the
benches he half unccnsciously saw
young men and women sitting, their
arms about each others waists. All
the time his mind was at work on the
problem of teaching Isaac Wagner the
danger of insulting the Business Pri-
Vateer.
Turning, absent-mindedly, to cross
the high curve of Suicide bridge over
the lagoon. he was suddenly aroused
by a collision with a young man who
turned quickly from the railing Just as
he approached. Potter glanced at the
face thrown into relief by the moon
light.
why, hello, Billy" he said, with a
smile. Just getting ready to jump
off? %
''The water looks too cold" laughed
the young man, with a furtive air of
restraint. Pretty night, isn't it,"
Yes. Come and walk with me-"
The young fellow hesitated. and Peter
Potter, looking at him sharply, made
up his mind instantly.
Come on, Billy" he insisted, Slip
ping his hand beneath the others arm.
Walk down to the house with me
How's the world treating you, anyhow ?
l haven't seen you for six months"
Il guess I've got no right to COM
plain"
Peter Potter caught the insincere
note in the voice, noticed the bitter
look in the young face.
Il don't believe I can come tonight"
the young man added. I've an en-
gagement"
"Oh. nonsense. Billy. Unless, of
course. your engagement is with Mar
garet."
Potter felt the young man vince.
"All right, III so. ! guess my en-
gagement III keep"
Yama San, Potter's japanese butler,
put a bottle Of Scotch and smoking
tools on the table I'm the library. The
two filed pipes, and Billy Maginn lay
back in the big Morris chair with an
affection of ease. As Peter Potter
watched the red reflection of the fire
playing on the boys face, he caught
that clear resemblance to the long-dead
mother, which never failed to stir the
tenderest memories in his own afro
phied heart. For this was the boy who
might have been-should have been, he
never failed to feel-his own son. Now
Billy was in deep trouble. and the Pri-
vateer recalled his promise. made just
before Mary Maginn died, twenty-four
years ago. that he would look after
and care for the baby boy who was
left behind.
Billy" he said. what's the mat
ter?"
'Tts nothing" said the boy in stub
born confusion.
-1-ave you quarreled with Margaret,
Billy?" Peter Potter persisted
Billy Maginn clutched the arms of his
chair
Miss Winters has broken our en-
gagement." he said slowly, speaking
with the terrible solemnity of the very
young.
Just for an instant the shadow of a
cynical smile played around the cor
ners of Peter Potter's eyes. She's dis
covered she doesn't love you, eh?" he
said sharply.
..She does love me-" Billy answered
defantly. That's the hard part of il.
Peter Potter said nothing. He stood