The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-07-27
when CUPID
TURNED BROKER

Judge tucker had decided most
positively that Jim Brock should not
be his son-in-law. Brock had de-
cided to the contrary.
Jim had an advantage, however, in
80 far that he was not alone in the
hight. He was materially re-enforced
by Lucy Rucker, the judges daugh-
ter, and the object OF the bitter CON
tention. Lucy loved her father, but
she loved Jim more.
The one great fault the Judge
found With Jim was his poverty. and
this fault Jim possessed I'm the first
degree. This would not have been so
BAD in the eyes of the Judge If Jim
had shown any inclination to remedy
1t. But he didn't. lie made money.
but he was too generous and free
handed to save it, In the eyes of the
Judge, who was almost miserly, this
was an objectionable failing.
"Show me that you can save $4,000
In year." he once said to Jim, land
may then reconsider the question of
you and Lucy marrying"
Il am sorry" Jim replied, "but It
can't be done"
"Why can't it? You make money
enough, I'm sure"
"Yes, make it all right but | can't
keep 1t. 1 have tried to and | Just
can't do it,
STUFF! When I was a young man.
/ was as poor as you, but | saved
money. You can, too, if you try"
IF had your disposition l could;
but unfortunately / am constructed
on different plan. Just can't grind
every dollar out of the people and
never give out a cent in return. Any
way, ! am satisfied with the result. 3"
"Bosh! Stuff! Nonsense! Bust
ness is business, and if you expect
to get on in the world you have got
to practice business methods. When
you can save $4,000 in a year 1 will
consent for you to marry my daugh-
ter"
But we love each other, and, al
though | may never be rich, you know
that l can give her a good comfort
able support. She shall never want
for anything, / assure you"
Maybe not, but don't know about
that. If some needy beggar came
along and put up pititul mouth,
how do l know that you wouldn't
take the very clothes off your wife's
back and give them away? l am not
going to take any chances. have
given you my dictum."
The next day Jim and Lucy met
and he told her of the interview with
her father. She was nestled close
to him with his arms about her and
her head resting on his shoulder at
the time.
Il know all about It,, she replied,
and it is SO hard that we must be
unhappy because papa is so set"
He can not keep us apart forever.
would just take you and run of
with you if you would consent 20
It,"
mo, no. Not now. Let's wait a
while and maybe something will hap
pen"
And if nothing does happen?"
Well, well see. If we wait a long
time and nothing happens ] couldn't
blame you if you did steal me-"
So they decided and so they waited
jim concluded to make an effort to
comply with the judges demands.
but he soon found that he couldn't
save money. He remembered that he
had n great incentive to save. but
when some one came to him i'm need
he could not close his heart TO an
appeal for help. Two or three
months went by and again he and
Lucy were together alone.
81 guess II 1 am TO have you at
all" he said. "there is nothing for
me to do but take YOU up and run
off with you. I've tried to save mon
ey, but l can't do &c. I'll never meet
your fathers demands. II you won't
let me steai you I'll have to give YOU
up"
IF was man and loved a girl
/ would steal her whether She want
ed me TO or not"
"Then / guess I'll just steal you -"
That would be nice, ana / know
should enjoy It. But ] don't be-
hDye it IS necessary. / think. dear.
/ know a way for you to make that
hateful old money.
you do? How"
"And the best of It is you will
make It of papa, too
Jim's heart sunk and his face
heightened. I'm afraid that is not
quite possible ne said. Il know
your father pretty we'll and when
there is any money making going ON
he is sure TO be ON the winning side. o
Well. you know papa and Mr.
Order are both Interested fin the
Mercury bank. I'm fact. between them
they own almost all the stock"
Yes / know that.
"But neither OF them has quite "a
controlling interest"
We'll, they've fallen out. and both
Of them want to get control. 40 they
are both after a hundred shares of
stock that's owned by q man I'm ST.
Louis. Whichever gets this stock
Will have control"
81 Sec"
Papa says he IS going to Sc. Louis