Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-03-25

another Job. She oughtnt TO write In
there with that guy
well, you're twenty ne. Why don't
you open an Office Of your own? Your
mothers got plenty of money. She can
buy you library and a sign, and that
Is all a young lawyer needs In Chica
60"
Mother wants me to run for alder
man In our ward next spring. I'll be
able to vote at that election"
you've got as much right in the
council as some others, l suppose"
Sure Mother owns property. The
ed as the north side. Property interests
Is what we need in the council.
That's
81 don't care to hear political
speech. boy. Are you busy this after.
noon?-
"No. l wouldn't be here II was"
"Then get up there and hand those
books down to me. Nobody loafs in
this Office today"
swell, doggone, If that isn't the limit
All right. Don't get mad. I'll do It."
The young gentleman leisurely ascend
ed to the top Of the stepladder and fell
into line under the lash.
"Young Mr.. Graydon Bansemer will
be here this afternoon" said broom
81 want to get things cleaned up bit
beforehand"
"How does he feel about his fatherT
"He doesn't know about him, I'm
afraid
Gee! Well, TIN Jar him bit, won't
tt?'
The Office door was opened suddenly
and tall young man strobe into the
room, only to stop aghast at the sight
before him. Droom's lank figure swayed
uncertainty and his eyes wavered.
whats all this" cried Graydop,
dropping his bag and coming toward
the old man, his hand outstretched
Droom's clammy fingers rested life
iessly In the warm clasp.
"How are you, Graydon? I'm-I'm
very glad to see you. You are looking
well. Oh, this? We've are moving"
said the old man. The helpers looked
on with interest. "Come into the back
Office 1t isn't so torn up. i didn't
expect you so soon. They said it was
twenty-four hours late. Well, well.
how are you, my boy?"
"Tm quite well again, Elias. Hard
siege of 1t, / tell you. Moving, eh?
What's that forY
"Never mind those books, Eddie.
rr~l g. Inl, In
some other time. You fellows-I mean
you-pack the rest of these, and then
I'll tell you what to do next. Come in,
Graydon."
Eddie Deever took his departure,
deeply insulted because he had not
been introduced to the newcomer.
Graydon, somewhat bewildered, fol-
lowed broom into his fathers consul
tation room. He looked around in
quiringly.
"Where is father? I telegraphed to
him"
An incomprehensible grin came into
Droom's face. He twirled the UNI
brella in his fingers a moment before
replying His glance at the closed
door was no more significant than his
lowered tones.
at didn't go very well with him,
Graydon. He isn't here any more"
what do you mean?'
81 mean the trial There WIS trial.
you see.. Haven't you heard anything
Trial? He-he was arrested!' came
numbly from the young mans lips.
II can't mince matters, Graydon. I'll
get 1t over as quickly as possible. Your
father was tried for backmail and was
convicted. He is in--he's in the penl-
Tertiary"
The sons face became absolutely
bloodless. His eyes were full OF COM
prehension and horror, and his body
stiffened as II. he were turning to stone.
The word penitentiary fell slowly, me-
chanically, from his lips. He looked
into Droom's eyes. hoping 1t might be
a Joke of the calloused old clerk.
"You-it-it can't be true" he MUIR
INJURED, his trembling hands going to
his temples.
Eyes. my boy, 1T is true. | didn't
write TO you about it because wanted
to put it off as long as could. It's for
five years.
"Godr burst from the wretched son.
A wave Of shame and grief sent the
tears flooding to his eyes. Poor old
dad He turned and walked to the
window. his shoulders heaving. Drocm
stood silent for long time. watching
Ransemer's son. pity and triumph In
his face
do you want to hear about IT." he
asked at last, Graydon's head was bent
Ia assent.
1T came the day after you left Chi
cago with the recruits. knew yon
would not'read the newspapers. So did
he. Harbert swors out the papers. and
he was arrested here in this e6acs.
believe he would have killed himself II
be had been given time. His revolver
was-er-not loaded. Before the officers
came he discharged me. I was At liber-
ty to 60 or to testify against him. did
neither. OF course was arrested. but
they could only prove that l was q
clerk who knew absolutely nothing
about the inside workings OF the once.
offered to 60 on his bond. but he
would mot have me. He made some ar