Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-16

6l0cSC5. H ' <
 Bob's father, one of the big, white pillars of southern aristocracy, had gone through congress and the senate of his country to the tune of Spend and Not Spare" which left his widow and three younger daughters and small son dependent upon Bob. his eldest.
 Many a warm summer afternoon, as Bob and padded down the Charles, and often on a cold, crispy night as we sat in my shooting box on the Cape Cod shore, had we matched up for our future. I was to have the inside run of the great banking busi- nses of Randolph & Randolph, and Bob was eventually to represent my fathers firm on the floor of the stock exchange. I'd de in an office," Bob used to say, "and the floor of the stock exchange is just the chimney place to roast my hoe-cake in" So when our college days were over my able old father stood us up against the wall in his office, and tried us by his tests, and proud we both were when dad said: Jim. you and Bob have chosen well. You, Jim, are just the chap to step into my shoes, and Bob is cut to a thirty-second and sixty-fourth for the floor" Proud we were, net so much because of what my fathers decision meant for our future, for we knew we should get into the busi- ness all right, but because our judg- ment was indorsed by one we both thought as near infallible as man could be in anything pertaining to business affairs.
 Bob was then g and year old. er-I one of your raw-boned New Eng land lads, not much for prettiness, but willing to weigh in race-day with any of them for steadiness and stay- ing qualities; Bob as handsome as they made them, six feet tall in his gym sandals straight as an arrow, with the form of an Indian, and one of those clean, brave, all-for-heart-noth- ing-for-policy, smiling faces to which men yield willing friendliness, and women, idolatry. Boh's eyes were as big and round and purple-brown as an English bulldogs, unfathomable, at once mild and stern, with childish come-and-go perplexity; his nose as straight as though chiseled by a mas- ter for Greek medallion, with thin curved lips to correspond. and high, broad forehead, whose whiteness was set oil by luxuriance of hair that seemed jet-black, but was of the same rare purple-brown as his eyes. But it was the poise of Bob's head that gave his good looks their crown. Who ever has seen bunch of two-year-old colts in long-grass Kentucky pad dock, when the darky boy lets loose his shrill whistle at ''taking-up time," is sure to remember one that threw up its head and kept 1t poised to make sure it had caught the call. Grace, strngth and unharnessed way ward leadership are there personified. Some such suggestion was ever in the carriage of Bob's shapely head and vigorous figure, and dull indeed would be the man or woman who failed to recognize the mans rare distinction and masterfulness.
 Indeed. as I said a bit back, Bob Brownley was by all odds one of the handsomest men I have ever seen, but besides that, he was a sterling, manly, unaffected fellow, as true as steel. as brave as a lion and the best comrade friend ever had.
 Perhaps 1t was because his fathers death had saddled Bob's youth with the heavy responsibilities of husband ing and directing his family's slim finances that he took to business as a swallow to the air. We entered the office of Randolph & Randolph on the same day, and on its anniversary, a year later my father summoned us into his office for sort of tally-up talk. Neither of us quite knew what was coming, and we thrilled with pleasure when he said:
 JAuls yOu anu DOU udNc Oul- done my expectations. I have had my eye on both of you and I want you to know that the kind of industry and business intelligence you have shown here would have won you recognition in any banking house on the street. I want you both in the firm-Jim to learn his way round so he can step into my shoes; you, Bob, to take one of the firms seats on the stock ex- change"
 Bob's face went red and then pale with happiness as he reached for my fathers hand.
 I'm very grateful to you, sir, far more so than words can say, but I want to talk this proposition of yours over with Jim here first. He knows me better than anyone else in the world. and I've some ideas I'd like to thrash out with him"
 Speak up here. Bob." said my father.
 Well, sir, should feel much better if could go over there into the swirl and smash 1t out for myself. You see if could win out alone and pay back the seat price. and then make a pile for myself. If you felt later like giving me another chance to come into the firm. then I should not be laying my. self open to the charge of being a mere pensioner on your friendship. You know what mean. sir. and worr think I am filled with any low-dovn pride. but if you will let me have the price of a stock exchange seat on my note. and will give me the chance,