The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31

the next room and the room beyond
that. He didn't know any of them,
and he didn't dance. She danced and
was great favoritc, and he saw her
spinning about like q pink fairy top,
but she hadn't minute for him. He
stood about in misery, a big, awkward
lad. red haired and freckled. in badly
fitting clothes. shoes that pinchcd, a
collar that cut and 4 wretched lump
down
I'm rot her Sort he said over and
: over again. With wretched realization
that cuts all lives to which it comes
clean in two from that hour on. 'I'nl
not her sort. and | ought to have
stayed away
He went into smaller room at one
side and found a table with books
and magazines Seating himself he
started to read. The gay music Kept
him from being able to fix his thoughts
hard as he tried; the voices and laugh
ter drove tire lump more and more sol
idly into the sorest part of his throat
He rested his arm on the table. stared
at the book and was conscious that
dreams of one sort We're over for him
now. Air castles he would never build
again. Into her house he would never
again enter unless he knew himself
work--when he finished school next
nonth--ah, how he would work,
A man appeared in the doorway Ii
was her father, a tall, fine looking gen
tleman. with a nustache as yellow auo
curly as that hair that had bobbed ur
the coasting hill at his side so many
many times.
All, somebody reading said nel
father You don't dance take it,"
he rose to his feet. mo. sir; 1eve.
learned,
Her father (who had only just ar
rived from dinner at the club cas-,
one glance over the queer figure before
him and guessed who he was.
Sit down. he said cordially. pulling
up a chair for himself as he spoke, u
have to thank You for looking out fol
our Httle girl so kindly: Tell me about
yourself"
Il don't think there's anything to ta,l
sir. she wasn't any trouble--it vas 4
pleasure"
Her father smiled Then he opened a
drawer in the end of the big table by
which they were sitting and pulled OUT
some curiously colored maps.
asked *
No, sir; never"
He was interested. the lump forgot
maps were to illustrate the industrial
divisions OF the world where mines
were being worked, where wheat was
the one crop, etc. He explained we'll and
rapidly, and the boy listened eagerly.
and the railroad king is the real
KING concluded her father, because
he is the one who controls all the inter-
change of these manifold sources of our
national wealth. If we were sure of
his integrity, of his honor, Of his earn
est striving for the universal good, we
might safely leave him his throne and
go our many ways in tranquil peace and
humble content But are we sure? |
say, are we sure? No, and we never
can be sure unless we bride the power
OF the mighty magnate by mightier-
by congress. Therefore r.
Tie stopped suddenly In spite of the
fact that he had been dining the won
der In the boys face made him realize
that he had inadvertently drifted into
- sort of dress rehearsal of his speech
Tor next "Wednesday speech which
w5s TO gain him the vote of every man
who should hear it. he was positive.
He paused abruptly and coughed.
la that all. sir?' the boy asked re-
spectfuIly
Ycs--oh. yes. that's ALL"
He was sorry. It had interested him
70 hear about the railway men being
just like kings. He had always liked
railroads and tonight was good night
to learn respect for all who ruled
others. Perhaps the germ that led him
to seek employment in a railway Office
the next summer was planted then.
He did not stay so very late at the
party. He disappeared soon after sup
per. His mother was waiting up for
him and he lied heroically about the
pleasure he had taken She went to
bed very happy when he had done and
he went to bed. too. tired and bit
sore hearted over the new lessons so
roughly taught him that night.