Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-31

,I>' - .NS5ShSiokC, d pIOulSy OF JuTpl-
tude: VINO, in the pursuit of money,
crushes with the insensibility of steel
mach,ne everyone who stands in his
way. On the contrary, Ryder, out.
Wardly at least, was a prepossessing-
looking man. His head was well.
SNAPPED, and he had an intellectual
brow, while power was expressed In
every gesture of his hands and body.
Every inch of him suggested strength
and cesourcefulness. His face when
in good humor. frequently expanded in
a pleasant smile and he had even been
known to laugh boisterously, usually
at his own stories, which he rightly
considered very droll, and of which he
possessed a goodly stock. But in re-
pose his face grew stern and forbid
ding, and when his prognathous jaw,
Indicative of will power and bull dog
tenacity, snapped to with a click-like
sound, those who heard it knew that
squalls were coming
But 1t was John Ryder's eyes that
We're regarded as the most reliable
barometer of his mental condition.
Wonderful eyes they were, strangely
eloquent and expressive, and their
most singular feature was that they
possessed the uncanny power of chang.
Ing color like cats. When their own
or Was at peace with the world and
mad temporarily shaken off the cares
OF business, his eyes were of the most
restful, beautiful blue, looking like the
sky after sunrise on a Spring morning,
and looking into their serene depths
1t seemed absurd to think that this
man could ever harm fly. 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, chilG-that, if needs be you
would not entrust to his keeping.
When this period of truce was ended
when the plutocrat was once more abb
sorbed In controlling the political as
we'll as the commercial machinery of
the nation. then his eyes took on a
snakish, greenish hue, and one could
plainly read in them the cunning. the
righteousness, the meanness, the insa-
TABLE thirst for gain that made this man
the most INSCRIPTIONS money-getter of
his time. But his eyes had still an
other color, and when this last trans
formation took place those dependent
on him, and even his friends, quaked
with fear For they were his eyes of
anger. On these dreaded occasions his
eyes grew black as darkest night and
flashed fire as lightning rends the thun-
dercloud. Almost ungovernable fury
was, indeed, the weakest spot in John
Ryder's armor, for in these moments of
appalling wrath he was reckless of
what he said or did, friendship, self
interest, prudence-all were sacrificed.
Such was the Colossus on whom all
eyes were turned as he entered. In.
stantly the conversations stopped as
by magic. The directors nudged each
other and whispered. Instinctively,
Ryder singled out his crony, Senator
Roberts, who advanced with ELUSIVE
gesture:
Hello, Senator!''
You're punctual as usual, Mr.. Ry-
der. I never knew you to be late!"
The great man chuckled, and the
little men, standing around, listening
breathlessiy, chuckled in respectful
sympathy, and they elbowed and push
ed one another in their efforts to at
tract Ryders notice, like SO many cow
ardly hyenas, not daring to approach
the lordly wolf Senator Roberts made
remark in low tone to Ryder,
whereupon the latter laughed. The by
ISLANDERS congratulated each other ST.
lently. The great man was pleased to
be in good humor. And as Ryder
turned with the senator to enter the
Directors Room the light from the big
windows fell full on his face. and they
noticed that his eyes were Of the soft
est blue.
mo squalls today" whispered one.
HW1if and rotnrfod n y,onrn nv.1
perienced colleague. "Those eyes are
more tickle than the weather.
Outside the sky was darkenfng and
drops of rain were already falling. A
flash Of lightning presaged the coming
storm.
Ryder passed on and into the Direc-
tors Room followed by Senator Roberts
and the other directors. the procession
being brought up by the dapper little
secretary bearing the minutes.
The long room with it's narrow cen
ter table covered with green baize was
filled with directors scattered in little
groups and all talking at once with
excited gesture. At the sight of Ryder
the chattering stopped as If by common
consent, and the only sound audible
was the shutting of feet and the NOV
ing of chairs as the directors took their
places around the long table.
With nod here and there Ryder
took his place in the chairman's seat
and raped for order. Then at sign
from the chair the dapper little sec
rotary began in a monotonous voice to-
read the minutes of the previous meet
ing. No one listened, few directors
yawned. Others had their eyes riveted
on Ryder's face, trying to read there
If he had devised some plan to Offset
the crushing blow of this adverse de-
cision, which meant serious loss to
them all. He, the master mind, had
served them in many like crisis in
the past. Could he do SO again? But
John Ryder gave no sign. His eyes.
still of the same restful blue, were
fixed on the ceiling watching spider
marching with diabolical intent on a
wretehed fly that had become entan-
gled in its web. And as the secretary
ambled monotonously on, Ryder watch
ed and watched until he saw the spider