Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-08-21

er. War operations had flied tilt. toI7ip
for several years past with shift.i.-
crowds of Adventures of all sorts. who
found in disturbed conditions their OPP.
portunity to live by prey There were
gambling houses and other evil resorts
in dangerous numbers. where soldiers
and discharged soldiers on their way
through the place were tempted to
their ruin by every lure of vice and
every ease OF opportunity to go astray-
The solid men deplored these condir
tons, but were az yet powerless to bet
ter them. After the rush of discharged
soldiers through the town ceased the
evil influences began to operate more
directly upon the CLERKS and other
young men OF the city itself.
Under such circumstances even the
least cultivated of the hard headed
business men could not fail to regard
with special pleasure the silent work
that Duncan was doing for the saliva
ton of at least considerable group
of young men who might otherwise
have fallen victims TO the evil condi-
tons that beset them.
Apart from his association with the
youN.I men who fregNt te, his room
Duncan had no social life At nil. lie
never visited nj any house except tiIt
Captain !lai!am frequently had hIm 10
a meal over which the two might talk
business or where h. n.icht meet aud
help entertain prominent men of af-
fairs from other cities Woe visits
We're inspired by commercial purposes
far more than by considerations of
social nature.
1t created some little astonishnent.
therefore when one day ut the board
Ing house able BGncan said to those
about him.
II hear that yon fellows are organ
iziny some sort Of club Tor social pur-
poses Why haven't you given me a
chance to john"
We didn't think you would care for
Such things You never go out. you
know. and
What is the purpose of your organ-
zation. if you don't MIND my asking?"
"Oh. certainly not We're simply
making up II little group, which we
call The Cotrre to have a few dane
ing parties and amateur concerts and
the like in the big hotel dining room
Guriu- the winter We've Il notion
that the young people of Cairo ought
to know each other better. Our idea is
to promote social intercourse. and So
were all chipping in to pay the cost
which won't he much
well. may chip in with the rest?"
Seeing glad assent In every counte-
/ nance. he held ont his hand for the
subscription paper and put down his
name for just double the largest sub
scrigtlon on il Then passing it back.
/ he said
I Il think | may be able to secure some
support for so good an undertakirp
/ from the business men of the city and
! from others the lawyers, doctors and
I the like"
He did what he o0Uld, anu what he
I could was much The solid men, when
he brought the subject TO their atten-
ton. felt that this was an extclsbpr
of that work OF Duncan's for the bets
termen, of the town. which they so
( heartily approved. They subscribed
( freely to the expense. and, better still.
they lent personal countenance TO the
entertainments.
Gullford Duncan also attended one Of
the entertainments though 1t had been
his fixed purpose not 10 do so. The
reason was hat Gulford Duncan was
altogether human and full bloodcu
young man From the time Of his ar
rival nj Cairo until now he had not
had any association with women
When such association came TO him he
accepted II as a boon without relay
Ing in any degree his devotion TO at
fairs.
CHAPTER NJ