The Washington herald., 1908-03-15

>AAl0ll-M1S III TIE DdukIuDltN COURT. ana
six months afterward he had followed her
TO her grave. But the sweet recollection
or her still remained with Ben, and be-
meath that hard and wizened eountenanee
beat a heart fun OF tender memories OF
a day long since dead.
His brother Samuel's romance was even
more tragic Nobody knew the story save
and il had never passed his lips
The society gossips who so often wrote
their tittle-tattle about him never dream
ed the strange story Of the life OF the
great financier. nor the extraordinary rO-
nance that underlay his marvellous sue
cess. What a sensation would be pro-
duced If they ever learned the truth. In
those days long ago both of them had
been poor. and had suffered in conse-
quence. Now that they were both
wealthy the bitterness OF the past still
remained with them.
They were discussing another matter,
concerning project for an electric tram
way in a Spanish city. the concession for
which had been brought to them. They
both agreed that the thing would not
pay; therefore. it was dismissed.
During their discussion ROlfe entered,
and, taking his seat at the small table
near his master. busted himself with
some letters.
Suddenly Benjamin Statham exclaimed.
"Oh, by the way. there's a queer-look-
ing Scot from the Clyde 81 MOtherwell
works who's been hanging about for a
couple of days to see YOU Sam Says he
must see you at all COSTS
I don't want 10 see anybody from
Glasgow" snapped Statham. Tell him
I'm not here. whoever he is"
He's the old engineer. Macgregor."
Rolfe said. He mentioned to me when
] was in Glasgow the other day that he
particularly wished to see you. and that
he was coming up on purpose. l told him
Il was a wild-goOse chase"
Engineer? What does he do? Mind
the engine-one Of the men who threaten
TO go on strike, l suppose" remarked old
Sam.
No" laughed Rolfe. He's a little
more than engineer. II IS he who has de-
signed nearly every locomotive we've
turned out
"Oh. valuable man. eh? Then raise
his salary, ROlfe. and send him back 10
Glasgow to make a few more engines"
He's waiting outside at the counter
now. and won't go away" exclaimed the
Then go TO him and say ne shall have
$50 more a year. l can't be bothered 10
see the fellow
Rolfe rose and went 10 the outer Office,
where Macgregor stood patiently. He
had waited there for the best part Of
two days. and, with a Scots tenacity re-
fused TO be put off by any OF the clerks.
He wanted to see Mr.. Samuel Statham.
AN 7 mean 10 see i'm, mon," he told
everybody. his gray beard bristling fierce
~ as he spoke.
He was evidently a man with a griev-
ance. Such men came 10 Old Broad street
sometimes, and on rare occasions Mr.
Benjamin saw them. There were hard
cases Of men. ignorant OF the ways Of
business as the city to-day knows it.,
having been deliberately swindled out Of
their rights by sharks. concessions flched
from their rightful owners. and patents
artfully stolen and registered. But old
Duncan Macgregor. with his white beard.
was of a different type-the type OF hon
est, hardworking plodder. out OF whose
brains the great Clyde & MOtherwell
works were practically coming money
daily.
As RoIfe advanced to him. he said:
I'm sorry. Macgregor, that Mr.. Stat
ham is quite unable 10 see you to-day.
He's engaged three deep. I've told him
you wished TO see him. and he SAYS that
he much appreciates the great services
you've rendered 10 the firm. and that you
are to receive a rise of salary OF $50 a
year. beginning the lst OF last January"
What" cried the old man. "What-'e
offers me another $50, 'Es guild an gen
erous; but l have ma come here for that.
I've come to London to see him-ye hear,
TO see hlm-d'ye hear. Mr.. Rolfe? An 1
must.
But, my dear sir. you can't"
Tell him / don't want his $50" cried
the old man. so deCisively that the clerks
looked up from their ledgers I must
speak 10 him. an him alone"
Impossible exclaimed Rolfe, impa-
tiently.
low. When Mr.. Statham knows the
I've come upon he won't thank
ye for keepin us apart Dye ken that.
mon?" and his beard wagged as he spoke.
I know nothing Macgregor. because
you've told me nothing" was the others
reply
We'll, 1 tell We l mean to see him. an
that's sufficient for Duncan Macgregor.'
Mr.. Duncan Macgregor will. if he con-
tinues TO create scene here. find him
self discharged from the employ of the
Clyde & Motherwell works" remarked
Rolfe drily.
An Duncan Macgregor can go 70 the
Northwestern tomorrow at a bigger rise
than the $50 year. Dye ken that2" re-
piled the man from Glasgow
Then you refuse to accept Mr.. Stat
hams offer to you?"
'Of course, mon. Ye don't think that I
come 10 London a -cringin' for more paw.
90 ye? II l wanted II I could ha' got il
from another company years ago." re-
piled the independent old fellow. NO. I
must see Mr. Statham. Go back an tell
him so. I'm here TO see him on a very
important matter" and dropping his
voice. he added. "a matter which closely
concerns himself"
Then tell ME its nature"
Its private. sir. Until Mr.. Statham
gives me leave 10 tell you I can't"
But he wants to know the nature of
the business answered the secretary.
again struck by the old fellows pertinaci-
ty. 1t was not every man who would de-
cline a rise Of pound a week in his
salary ROlfe was puzzled, but he knew
old Sam well enough 10 be aware that
even IL duke called he would refuse to
see him. He only came to the city once
a week to discuss matters with his brother
Ben, and saw no outsider.
4 can't tell We why / want to see Mr..
Statham; that's only MS business and
mine. replied the bearded Scot. The
clerks were now smiling at ROlfe's vain
attempts to get rio of him.
VIII you write IL? Here-write on this
slip Of paper" the secretary suggested.
The old fellow hesitated.
"Yes-if you'll let me seal It up in an
envelope"
Rolfe at once assented. and. with con-
siderable care. the old fellow wrote some
penciled lines. folded the paper. sealed It
in the envelope, and wrote the superscrip-
tion.
ed ir to tho ola ,,iIIiOp.s~o ,,.ko .,-o- Am