Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-17


"Look here" he cried, striding up to
Uncle Michael and spinning that port
ly little man about without Difference
to his age or size. "Mr Corrigan, If you
were twenty years younger I'd give
you the soundest thrashing YOU ever
had in all your lifel'
AT this surprising development the
entire company. with the exception of
the lawyer. were too amazed to do
auaht but stare at the furious young
man The furious young man contin-
ued, oblivious TO his surroundings:
Il came to you In confidence. Sir, as
my attorney, at your own suggestion,
and asked advice. | was helpless, as
you knew. hanging between duty to
dad and my pledge to Mr.. Renwyck.
You've swindled us all, sir-these gen
tlemen of their harbors, me of what
placed confidently in your hands-my
honor"
"Honor!" sneered Mr.. Renwyck.
Honor"
What" beloved the cattle king.
"You knew all about 1t, Dick, and you
didn't tell me! Oh. Dick. Dickv'
Richard turned to explain to his re-
proachful father. but Mr.. Renwyck
turned upon the young man tiercely..
"Ha" he almost screamed. $50
that's the reason you couldn't sign a
draft? You had sold me to Michael,
had you--sod me when in the kind.
ness of my heart tried to help an
impoverished Englishman2 English
man" he laughed derislvely. "a spy,
traitor to me--yes, and to his own
flesh and blood tool" The financier
paused for breath. then wheeled upon
his brother-in-law, "And you," he
stormed-"you. with your arguments
and your cluckling mask that hides a
rascal. That's what you've been laugh.
ing at for the past three days. is it
you and your psalm singing Mr. Fish
| call? You cheated me out of my land
ut Olivia. You've blackmailed the
Texan legislature! You-you-you"-
ooh, Jacob, darling.' sobbed Mrs.
Renwyck, coming to his side as he
sank, exhausted, into his chair.
ut is perfectly disgraceful!" shifted
Miss Schermerly II am almost tempt
ed to go upstairs" However, she sue.
cesSfully resisted temptation
1t seemed Mt this stage that poor lit.
tie Mr.. Corrigau had not leg of honor
to stand upon. and. to be correct, he
did not attempt to stand. but sank into
a seat and laughed until an apoplectic
stroke seemed imminent. He was most
aggravating, too. when he laughed.
Goodness" now observed the sol.
emn Mr.. Van der Awe, Hes worse
than my poor lmogene"
But Mr. Corrigan at last mastered
his emotions. arose and, dabbing his
eyes with his handkerchief. began to
explain his case.
Jacob" he said. upon my honor,
Richard never told me a single thing
that did not already know. My com
pany was in the field long before he
came to New York. and here are my
papers to prove it. | knew every move
of both of you, and while you and Bill
were treating the Legislature to whisky
and cigars l got into the game my
self. Our brazen young friend here
had nothing to do with it whatever"
Richard heaved a sigh of deep re-
lief, and old Bill Williams laughed.
Look here, Nike" he said, you've
got all tile money you want. Why in
the name of common sense are you
| wadipg about in deep water harbors y
Several reasons" chuckled Uncle
Michael. "First, wanted the fun of
the thing; second, wanted rap at
Jacob, who is inclined to think he
| Knows everything In tile world; third,
| wanted joke on my friend. BIZ
Williams; fourth. l wanted to prove to
you two old gray rats that your teeth
are getting dulled by age; fifth, had
at heart the real welfare of the great
state of Texas; sixth, | would not see
a helpless legislature led astray;
seventh. the Peace and Good Will
Realty company is a bridal present
intend making to tile son and daughter
of two of my friends"
"What friends?" asked the two
frenzied financiers together.
"Bill and Jake!" answered Mr.. Cor.
rigan. bursting into another laugh.
-Four people flushed. two in anger
the other two for secret reasons OF
their own.
Nov. listen. boys" continued Uncle
Michael earnestly. you two have
had very foolish quarrel, and its
time to shake hands and make it up
So far as your harbor schemes are
concerned. you are both out of tho
running. own it-every share. will
turn my interest over to Richard, tc
do with as he chooses. but II know
him-and I'm inclined to think do
have pretty fair idea as to how he
will act. What do you say, Dicky
boy?"
Richard came forward and grasped
the lawyers hand.
"Mr. Corrigan." he said. forgive me
for what said just now. l take 1t al
back. You're the finest counsel OF
earth!'
"Oho" chuckled the little man
Changed your opinion. have you.
Well, so on"
81 couldn't begin to thank you fol
what you have done for me-" con
tinued Richard. "and what that is
am now going to confess. have beer
longing to do it for u weSk But firs
let's settle this harbor tangle. sug
gest that dad and Mr.. Renwyck con
solidate their interests with me anC
We'll open up at olivia. Olivia is the
best place for Il harbor. anyway"
"Bully!" chuckled Mr.. Corrigan, rub
bling his plump hands until the Skin
was almost peeled. well. Jake
Well, Bill?"
"Um! Not bad idea." admitted the
cattle king. with pickering smile
What do you say, Renwyck?"
81 Think" said the old financier slow
ly-"I think I'd rather wait for the
confession this young man has men
toned. From what know of hin
already it may lead to complications"
Richard smiled hopefully at Harriet
and stepped to the center of the hall
| He made n clean breast of II harm