Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-08-07


Uncle Michael and spinning that port
ly little man about without Difference
to his age or size "Mr. Corrigan, IL you
were twenty years younger I'd give
you the soundest thrashing you ever
had In oil your lifei"
AT this surprising development the
entire company. with the exception Of
the lawyer, were too amazed to do
aught but stare at the furious young
man. The furious young man contin-
ued, oblivfous 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
"Honorr
"Whatw beloved the cattle king.
"You knew oil about it, Dick, and you
didn't tell mel Oh, Dick. DickW
Richard turned TO explain to his re-
proachful father. but Mr.. Renwyck
turned upon the young man fercely.
"Hap' he almost screamed 80
that's the reason you couldn't sign a
draft? You had sold me to Michael,
had you-sold me when In the kind
ness Of my heart I tried to help an
impoverished Englishman7 English
manv' he laughed derisively. "a spy,
traitor TO me-yes, and TO his own
flesh and blood toor' The flnancier
paused for breath. then wheeled upon
his brotherln-law. And you" he
stormed-''you. with your arguments
and your chuckling mask that hides q
rascal! That's what you've been laugh
ing at for the past three days, is it
you and your psalm singing MIR. Fish
call? You cheated me out Of my land
ut Olivia! You've blackmailed the
Texan legislaturel You-you-you"-
"Oh, Jacob. darling" sobbed Mrs.
Renwyck, coming to his side as he
sank. exhausted. into his chair.
ut is perfectly disgraceful" shifted
Miss Scherrnerly. II am almost tempt
ed TO go upstairsr However. she sue
cessfully resisted temptation.
1t seemed at this stage that poor lit
de Mr.. Corrigan had not leg of honor
to stand upon, and, to be correct, he
did not attempt TO stand, but sank into
seat and laughed until an apoplectic
stroke seemed imminent He was most
Rggravating, too. when he laughed.
Goodness" now observed the SOL
emn Mr.. Van der Awe, Hes worse
than my poor Imogene!"
But Mr.. Corrigan at last mastered
his emotions, arose and, dabbing his
eyes with his handkerchief. hogan to
explain his case.
Jacob" be said. upon my honor,
Richard never told me a single thing
that l 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
We're treating the Legislature to whisky
and cigars | got into the game my
self. Our brazen young friend here
had nothing to do with 1t whatever"
Richard heaved a sigh of deep re-
lief, and old Bill Williams laughed.
Look here. Nike" he said, you've
got oil the money you want Why In
the name of common sense are you
| wading about in deep water harborsT
Several reasons" chuckled Uncle
Michael. First, ! wanted the fun of
the thing; second, l wanted rap at
Jacob, who is inclined to think he
knows everything In the world; third,
l wanted ? joke on my friend, Bill
Williams; fourth. wanted to prove III
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
helpless legislature led astray;
seventh. the Peace and Good viii
Realty company is bridal present
intend making to the son and daughter
of two Of my friends"
"What friendsT asked the two
frenzied f1nanciers together.
"Bill and Jakew answered Mr.. Cor
rigan. bursting into another laugh.
-Four people flushed, two in anger,
the other two for secret reasons OF
their own.
NOW, listen. boys" continued Uncle
Michael earnestly. you two have
had very foolish quarrel, and It's
time to shake hands and make 1t up.
So far as your harbor schemes are
concerned. you are both out Of the
running. l own it-every share. will
turn my interest over to Richard. TO
do with as he chooses. but If l know
him-and I'm inclined to think do
l have pretty fair idea as to how he
will act. What do you say. Dicky.
boyT
Richard came forward and grasped
the lawyers hand.
"Mr. Corrigan." he said, forgive me
for what said just now. take 1t all
back. You're the finest counsel on
earthr'
"Ohow chuckled the little man.