The Detroit times., 1910-12-20
The LEADING Citizen.


is, il doesn't much matter. Our story
only begins and ends there.
The rest OF il has 10 do with that
center of art and boarding houses. OF
factories and culture, of theaters ana
heartlessness which Is known TO the
world as little old New York"
II is story OF girl, with girl
ideals and hopes, and boy. with
boys thougbtlessness and vanity, ana
how they met and loved each other
and finally, after many days-DuI let
us tell Ii, just exactly Us IL happened
Hiram Belknap. in the first place,
was father OF the girl. In the second
place, he was prospecting country
lawyer, not too scrupulous 10 do wheh
was expected OF him by generous
railroad, not too knayish TO do great
deal OF good in his little sphere.
Fairview was proud OF him because
he had money and brains. II elected
him TO its town council; IL admired
his handsome house and his mother-
less daughter. II suffered It's pigs ana
chickens TO be run over by his automo-
bile. not neglecting however TO SEND
him in a bill for every execution Oh
that sort.
Belknap was big, warm hearted,
smooth-shaved generous, intoierant Oh
faults in other people, but withal KIND
~ and we'll disposed toward all men
who would. in turn, agree not 10 inter
fere with his ambitions.
The Beauty Of a Village Diana.
As for Jane, who is the girl. she
had all the enthusiasm OF nigh
school combined with all the beauty
of n village DIANA combination 10
cause unquiet in such OF the youth oil
the ether sex as had looked at her
twice and talked with her once.
One autumn afternoon, september
probably was the month Beiknap sat
in his study finishing up some work
for his rich client. the railroad.
Across a big mission table, piled
with pens and ink and legal cap, Ia
bored Hezekiah jerks, note book
his knee and a busy pencil In MS
lanky fingers. Behind Hezekiah
freckled forehead was a shrew BRAIN
"A brain not content with serving
as a mere secretary. Hezekiah meant
some day to be town constable ana
after that--well, even presidents nave
to begin somewhere.
II had been a hard afternoon, and
Hezekiah, glancing furtively up from
his notes. saw with relief that his EN-
plover had pushed aside number OF
documents as not worthy OF attention.
Guess that's all" said the lawyer
showing back his chair
ives. sir" replied jerks, in voice
In which obedience and gratitude were
beautifully blended
pelknap rose and looked ont across
The broad yeranda TO the garden De-
yond.
where's Jane?" he inquired.
Haven't seen her since noon said
rezekiah. sadly. Il think she Went
ont with wilson" This last with
touch OF bitterness.
The Belknap Automobile.
WILSON," inquired Belknap, look
ing up sharply. He frowned TOT an
instant. then. THAT automobile was
. mistake-a frightful extravaganza
| m sorry | bought 1t.
Hezekiah grinned. =.
81 guess the town would miss IT, II
YOU gave Il up" he said, with chuck
lie ats the only one in Fairview'
The LAWYER smiled complacently.
oft gives us a little tone he said'
that's why bought it. But dian I
count on the reckless slaughter OF AMI
mails involved in running 1t. Upon my
soul. we've killed enough chickens
and pigs with ii 10 run the town LOT
year
Nobody kicks so long as you pay
for them" said Hezekiah cheeriully.
The secretarys gaiety nettled Belk-
nap.
II don't intend TO pay for them much
longer" he exclaimed. IF this town
wants an automobile. it will nave 10
stand for the accidents.
He turned TO the table and picked
up a handful of papers.
Here" he said, handling them 10
Hezekiah, take these with you down
TO the Office Tell everybody that calls
that | won't be down till Monday. II
there's anything important send them
over here TO me-understandE
"Yes, sir" said Hezekiah, humbly'
and started for the door.
hezekiah Presses His Suit.
AT the threshold he halted, turned
about as If 10 say something, checked
himself, and then recrossed the room
toward his chief A dull brick red
slowly suffused his cheeks making
vivid background for the huge freckles
that bespangled them.
For a moment he stood there, APP
palled under Belknap's inquiring eye,
then he stammered:
"'Scuse Me, Mr. Belknap; have you
thought any more on what | said
about Jane?"
NO" said Belknap shortly. Il don't
want to influence her in any way"
The secretary moved dispiritedly
toward the door, but swung about
with alarcity when the lawyer added:
at least, don't want to be COM
PEELED to do so"
"Then you don't object TO me?'
gasped the secretary.
why should IL" asked Belknap.
you're pretty good boy, energetic,