Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-15
Love, Tomatoes
and Finance.
BY ESTELLE CLAYTON.
copyrighted, 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.


second, he had been a justice OF the
peace for some years; third, he had
received almost votes enough once to
send him to the legislature, and. lastly.
lie was worth about $4,000.
Mr.. Strong felt his bigness and ex.
acted respect accordingly. He did his
best to make his son Horace and his
daughter Maude feel their superiority
over all other human beings in and
around Strongsvile. He succeeded
admirably with the daughter, but the
conduct Of his son gave him no little
anxiety.
One morning he said to the latter:
Horace. I am panied and humlliat-
ed TO learn that for months past you
have been paying attention to the
daughter OF Scribner. the carpenter.
You have been riding with her, and
you have frequently called at the
house. What does 1t meanY
miss Scribner IS nice young wom-
an. sir" was the reply. "She is as
well educated ms our Maude and has
as good manners"
"Tut. tut. sir! Make no such COM
PARSONS. II you forget who and what
! am, you ought to be ashamed of
yourself. Being the son Of man of
position and wealth. with more wealth
and social prestige coming, you must
look higher. sir. far higher"
II was true that Miss Nettie Scrib-
ner was the daughter of carpenter,
but as the favorte of her Aunt Hilda
Bascomb. rich old spinster, the girl
had been sent TO n seminary and en-
joyed exceptional opportunities. In
all but wealth she was the peer Of any
girl In the county.
AS a matter of fact the couple were
engaged. but keeping 1t secret.
Horace had hopes that when the time
came to announce the fact to his
father It would be received at least In
a reasonable way. but the CONVERSE
ton Of the morning showed him the
breakers ahead.
What Mr.. Strong meant when he re-
ferred TO more wealth and social pres
tige coming was the fact that he had
organized the StrongsvIlle Cannery
company. The cannery building was
already under way. 1t was a fertile
farming country around the town, but
with poor facilities for shipping fruits
and vegetables. and he had conceived
and entered Oh the idea of tomato
cannery.
He had investigated until he was
certain that the profits would be large.
He put IN almost all the money and
controlled things. and what few other
stockholders there were did not belong
TO Strongsvlllc.
AS president Of tomato cannery
Jacob Strong felt himself to be tan
gible object. He was right there and
all there In his pomposity. lie didn't
propose to have any of his nelghbors
feel that as stockholders they need
not have too much awe OF him.
OF course the magnate's son IN
formed the carpenters daughter OF the
situation Of affairs. Young Horace
was determined 10 disobey his father
ut any cost; but. fortunately, Aunt Hill
da arrived on her annual visit. She
didn't exactly believe that all people
were equal, but she bowed to none.
If carpenter and blacksmith were
honest and respectable men they were
just as good In her eyes as magnates.
The Scribners attempted to keep the
secret from her. but she hadn't been
In the house day when she turned
on her sister and said:
'Mary. there's something going on
here. and want to know all about
It. ! find Nettie looking piqued and
sorrowful. and she hasn't eaten enough
at three meals TO keep bird alive.
No use trying 10 keep It from me.
What's the natter"
She was told, and when she had the
particulars she set her jaw and nod
ded her head. which showed that she
had made up her mind. Just what 1t
was she didn't say that evening, nor
did she tell It next morning when she
Iut on her rusty old bonnet and sal
lied out. She said merely that she
had business matter to attend to.
Mr.. Magnatc Strong had n business
Office In the town, OF course. Aunt
Hiida made n straight course for II
and plunged herself down In u chair
In front of the great man 10 say:
Jacob Strong. my niece and your
hoy were attracted toward each other,
and they have fallen in love and are
engaged. understand that you OPP
pose the contemplated marriage"
with all my soul, and II you are
here to say anything in favor of 1t you
may as well save your breath. l won.
der that you had the impudence to ap.
pear Mt ALL"
'And what are your obJections?"
quietly asked Aunt Hlldn as she got a
strong hold OF her temper.
"You have no right to ask!" he shout
ed at her. But will tell you at least
one objection. No son Of mine can
mate with the daughter Of a common
carpenter"
"No? Jacob Strong. how long did
vOilr fnther pQt n skinny living off n