The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-22

lions about myself, and. being IN easy
talker and happy over the success We
had had. told him a good deal OF my
story and how had come to enter the
present undertaking. 1t was easy to
tell him things-he had quick sympa-
thy and was as keen as . boy. He
seemed to approve Of my general plan.
but advised patience.
This silver trouble viii lead to q
period OF bad times" he remarked.
The very time to prepare" I re
torted.
True" he laughed, when you have
the faith and energy. But am an old
man. l wish to live in peace the rest
Of my life. Young man. l have been
through two panics and the war. l
lost a son while / was in the Wilder
ness. He would have been about your
age" he added in a far away tone.
That switched the talk from bust
ness, and we sat there on deck until
nearly dawn. discussing religion all the
time. AS be babe me goodby at the
Boston station the next evening l re-
member his saying to me with one of
the pleasantest smiles l ever saw on q
mans face:
Now, Mr.. Harrington. I can see that
yours will be a busy life. Success
will come not merely in these matters,
but in many others" He wagged his
head confidently. II don't make many
mistakes In men. But II you ever
want to have such pleasant talks as
we had last night when you get to be
an old man like me you must see to it
that your hands are kept clean. Re-
member that, my boy" And he patted
my shoulder like a father.
1t was a queer thing for one man to
say to another at the end Of a business
day. I had occasion to think of it
later. although at the time put it
down to the old gentleman's eccentrici-
ty. We parted very cordially. l felt
that q valuable ally had been secured
ono who had it in his power to bring
others with him to our aid-and l.
liked the old boy himself.
Among other things Mr.. Farson had
asked me casually about a little line
Of Missouri railroad - the st. Louis
Great Southern it was called. He and
his friends were pretty well loaded
with the securities Of this bankrupt
little road, and the banker wanted me
to look into it and advise him what to
do with the property. Thus it happened
that the st. Louis Great Southern be-
came another link in my plan Of con-
quest. Altogether it was most impor-
tant connection. that between us and
Parsons crowd. and it was fortunate
that Slocum thought of Cousin Farson
in our hour Of need.
All this time there had been building
the beautiful city Of white palaces on
world to see what Chicago had dream
ed and created. Although it had made
me impatient to have Mr.. Dround spend
on it his energy that was needed in bis
own business, now that it was accom-
plished in all its beauty and grandeur
1t filed me with admiration.
There were few hours that I could
spend in its enjoyment. but I remem-
Der one evening after my return from
the east when we had family party
at the fair. May and VIII were spend
ing his vacation with us during the hot
weather, and the four Of us, having
had our dinner, took an electric launch
and glided through the lagoons be-
meath the lofty peristyle out to the
lake, which was as quiet as a pond.
The long lines Of white buildings were
ablaze with countless lights: the music
from the bands scattered over the
grounds foated softly out upon the
water; all else was silent and dark. In
that lovely hour, soft and gentle as
was ever a summer night. the toll and
trouble Of men, the fear that was grip
ping mems hearts in the markets. fell
away from me, and in its place came
faith. The people who could dream this
vision and make it real. those people
from all parts Of the land who throng-
ed here day after day, their sturdy
wills and strong hearts would rise
above failure, would press on to great
er victories than this triumph OF beau
ty, victories greater than the world had
yet Witnessed!
Nevertheless. In spite OF hopeful
thoughts like these, none knew better
than the skeleton that lay at the
feast, the dread Of want and failure
that was stealing over all business.
AS our launch drew up at the land
ing beside the great fountain another
launch glided by our side holding q
number Of the commissioners and some
guests Of distinction. Among them
were the Grounds. who had entertain
ed literally all this season. The two
boat parties came to shore together
and stood looking at the display Of
fireworks. The court of honor was
thronged with thousands and thou
sands: the great fountain rippled in a
blaze of light; the dark peristyle glow
ed for a moment in the fantastic fame
from the fireworks. l turned and
caught the light Of the illumination in
the dark face of Jane Dround. She
bowed and smiled.
I'm your homer" she murmured half
mockingly as rocket burst into a
shower Of fiery spray in the heavens
above. II hear that you return from
Boston victor. You should hear Hen
~. He has no doubts now" She
laughed in high spirits.
Tonight l have no doubts. but to-
morrow-who knows:''
Her brows contracted seriously.
You need, my friend, one great quail
ity, and you must get it somehow
m tioucov