Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-10-02

De- -..--.' ~..H 3. h..'t-t i.''t'i
:.f FL. I:.Iy t'..-..- >-oH va.,e
I...r his ---. MIS- .- light .! r.--tl-
:..G l.- -..u .- v.-..ua- ..l alert IS
g. a. .. &c f-.',. of p.l I..'.-A
-. a. Ai- r'. i.' '~n.". u.-.-.,'-i
IL. Those ,.r a-.y marked .lra,t ter
i~'!cs e sor race vA..A sprung from
A..i'. SaXru a'..r~'ry. bat modified by
nearly P4 years If different climate
nd cuet r., ha, gradually produced
t-.r distinct md true American type,
r. easily recognizable among the fam
iy If nations as my other Of the
earth's cAi!unn.
Tall ani distinguished looking Ryder
would lave attracted attention any
where. Men who have accomplished
much IN life usually bear plainly upon
their persons the ,ndefinable stamp OF
achievement, whether Of good or evil.
which renders them conspicuous
r,ArIS their fellows. We turn after
man IN the street and ask, Who IS he?
Aid nine times OUT Of ten the Object Of
our curiosity Is man who has made
his mark Il successful soldier, a IA
nous sailor, celebrated author. a dis
tinguiShed lawyer, or even Il notorious
crook
There was certainly nothing in John
Ryder's outward appearance to Justify
l0mhr0So's sensational description of
him: a social and physiological freak,
II degenerate and prodigy of turpi-
tuGe who, In the pursuit of money,
brushes with the inscnsibility Of n
steel machine every one who stands
In his way" On the contrary, Ryder,
outwardly at least, was Il progresses
ing looking man. His head was well
shaped, 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 resourcefulness. 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 be
rightly considered very droll, and of
which he possessed goodly stock.
But In repOSe his face grew stern and
forbidding, and when his prognathous
Jaw, indicative of will power and bull
dog tenacity, snapped 10 with click
like sound. those who heard it knew
that squalls were coming.
But it was John Ryder's eyes that
were regarded rs the most reliable
barometer of his mental condition.
Wonderful eyes they were. strangely
eloquent and expressive, and their most
singular feature was that they pos
scssed the uncanny power Of changing
color like n eats. When their owner
was at peace with the world, and had
business, his eyes were OF the most
restful. beautiful blue. like the sky
after sunrise on Il spring morning. and
looking into their serene depths 1t
seemed absurd to think that this man
could ever harm II 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. child that, II needs be. you
would not intrust to his keeping
When the period of truce was ended.
when the plutocrat was once more alb
sOrbed in controlling the political as
we'll rs the commercial machinery OF
the nation, then his eyes took OH a
snakish, grecnish hue, and one could
plainly read In them the cunning, the
righteousness, the meanness, the In
suitable thirst for gain that had made
this man the most Inscriptions mon
ey gctter Of his time, but his eyes had
still another color, and when this last
transformation took place those de
pendent upon him and even his friends
quaked with fear. for they were his
eyes Of anger On these dreaded occa
sions his eyes grew black us darkest
rends the thunderclOud. Almost ungOv
ernable fury was indeed the weakest
spot In John Ryders armor, for In
these moments Of appalling wrath be
was reckless Of what he said or did
friendship. self interest. prudence. all
were sacrificed.
Such was the Colossus on whom oil
eyes were turned rs he entered. In
stantly the conversation stopped as by
magic The directors nudged each 9th
er and whispered. Instinctively Ryder
singled out his crony, Senator Roberts
who advanced with ELUSIVE gesture.
"UellO, SENATOR"
you're punctual, as usual. Mr.. Ry
der I never knew you to be late"
Ryder passed on and into the direct
Ors' room, followed by Senator Roberts
and the other directors, the procession
being brought up by the dapper little
secretary bearing the minutes.
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 secre
tary began in n monotonous voice to
read the minutes of the previous meet
Ing.
Quickly they were approved, and the
chairman proceeded as rapidly as pos
sible with the regular business routine
That disposed Of, the meeting was
ready for the chief business Of the day
hsuci ttVNcSuCu " PtCSCh
the facts In the case.
Some years back the road had &C
Quircd rs an Investment some thou
sands Of acres of land located In the
outskirts of Auburndale, Oh the line
of their road. The land was Dough,
cheap. and there had been some talk
of laying part of 1t out as public
park. This promise had been made n
the time In good faith. but 1t was nc
condition of the sale. If afterward
owing to the rise III the value of rea
estate. the road found It impossible tt
carry out the original idea, surely they
Were masters Of their own property
The people Of Auburndale thought DIFF
ferently and. goadcd on by the loca
newspapers. had begun action In The
courts 10 restrain the road from divert
Ing the land from its alleged origina
purpose They bad succeeded In get
ting the Injunction, hut the road had
fought 1t tooth AMI nail and finally
carried il - the supreme court. where