Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-08-07
CHAPTER L


the morning the incongruOus Indiana
town shone In a white harmony--roof,
ledge and earth as evenly covered as
by moonlight There was no thaw.
Only where the line of factories fol-
lowed the big bend of the frozen river.
their distant chlmneys like exclama-
tfon points on blank page, was there
hrst threat against the supreme
whiteness. The wind passed quickly
and on high, the shouting OF the school
children had ceased at o o'clock with
pftifdr 7zsdenhess-, i no sleigh I bcc;IIr bc;IIi
laughed out on the air, and the muf
fling of the thoroughfares wrought an
unaccustomed peace like that of Sun.
day. This was the phenomenon which
Afforded the opening of the morning
debnte OF the sages In the wide win.
dows OF the National House.
Only such unfortunates as have 30
far failed to visit Canaan do not know
that the National House is on the
Main street side OF the Courthouse
square and has the advantage Of being
within two minutes walk OF the rail-
road station, which is In plain sight OF
the windows. nm incstimable benefit to
the conversation of the aged men who
occupied these windows on this white
morning even as they were wont In
summer 20 hold against all comers the
cane seated chairs on the pavement |
outside.
Mall time had come TO mean that |
bright hour when they all got their
feet on the brass rod which protected |
the sills OF the two big windows, with |
the steam radiators sizzling like kettles /
against the side wall. Mr.. Jonas Tabor,
who had sold his hardware business
magniicently (not magnificently for
his nephew. the purchaser) some ten
years before. was usually. In spite OF
the fact that he remained a bachelor ut
seventy-nine. the last 10 settle down
with the others. though often the first
10 reach the hotel, which he always en-.
fered by a side door, because no did
not believe In the treating system. And
Il was Mr.. Eskew Arp. only seventy five,
but already a thoroughly capable Gym
e. who almost invariably opened tho
and II was he who discov-
sred the sinister Intention behind the
weather OF this particular morning.
Tho malevolence OF his voice and
manner when he shook his finger at the
own beyond the windows and exclaim-
ID. with a bitter laugh. Look at itr' ,
vas no surprise TO his companions.
Jest look at itl ! tell you the devil 4
. mighty smart! Ha, hal Mighty
martr
Through custom II was the duty OF /
'quire Buckalew Justice OF the peace 1
n 1850 90 be- the first 90 take up Mr.. 1
Arp. The others looked 10 him for II. h
therefore, he asked sharply; a
whats tho devil got 20 do with '
nowr' n
Everything 10 do with IT, SIR" Mr. a
Arp retorted. tits plain as day 20 o
nybody with eyes and sense"
''Then wish you'd pint II out" 4
aid Buckalew. ''if you've got either" q
by the Almighty. squlre''-Mr, Arp 8
urned In his chair with sudden heat o
if ia lived as long az YOU @
"You have" interrupted the other. /,
tung. Twelve years ago" u
III I'd lived as long as YOU" Mr. Arp "
rpeated unwinclngly In louder voice, Il
and had follered Satan's trail as long h
You have aud yet couldn't recognize q
when | see II ia git converted and Il
ote Prohibltionist"
81 don't see A." nterjected Uncle Z,
% Davey In his duerulous voice. Gle "
AS the patriarch OF them alll II can't IA
nd no eloyen hoof prints In the n
low" n
"All over II. slrr' cried the cynic. n
All over IL, Old Satan loves tricks al
ke this, Here's a town that's Jest one a
lulrmin' mass of lies and envy and
GO and wlckcdness and corruption al
"liold on exclaimed Colonel FIT al
oft, "fhats Islander upon our M
'arths and our government Why. IN
hen was IN the council NJ
''lt wasn't hlt worse then" Mr.
rp returned unreasonaby. "Jest you o,
ok how the devil fools MS, lie drops cl
'wn this here virgin mantle ON Ca hs
IAN ana makes Il look AS good as you Or
etend you think IL is-as good IA I'd
q Sunday school room of country
urch. though that'-he went OF on sv
ngent venomously -" "ls generally he
Ily another whlted sepnlcher. ana the co
mighty apt 20 have Is
title OF whisky hid behind the organ lin
a.
Look here. Eskew," said Jonas TIA ne
2. "that's got nothin' 20 do with
'Mhy ain't ltf Answer mey' cried a
r Arp. continuing without pause; III
vhy ain't its Can't you wait tin
through You listen "a me, and n,
len I'm ready I'll listen to- IN
See here" began the colonel. max sn
J himself heard over three others, ~
mt 90 ask YOU
No. sir.' Mr. Arp pounded the m,
ar irascibly with his hickory stick ln,
ont you ask me anything. How can
1 tell that I'm not going 60 answer .
lr question without your asking u In,