Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-01-27

many years. And my girl. There amt
a finer educated or prettier girl in
New York. and she ought 10 be able 10
go anywhere. but she can't in this
town-this cold mans town. Then. Of
course. there's Sylvester. | know he
amt as bright as he might be. and I've
spent-well. more than twice your sal
airy trying 10 get him through fresh
man year Mt Harvard. and | couldn't.
but still he's my son. and il be wants
to run around with these other sports.
why not? | can afford il. and | guess
the kids got TO SOW his wild outs any
way. My wire and children ought to
be happy with the money I've got. and,
as | figure it, if | join this Oak Door
club can help them TO get what they
want. DO you follow me. Brandt
Yes; | understand" sighed Brand.
"At first you took up the side OF the
people. and You are continuing ut il.
But you and your family have become
ambitious. or. at least. 50 far as you
are concerned. YOU are ambitious for
them. When you begin to associate
Familiarity with rich men aS their friend
you'll soon find yourself playing golf
or billiards with one. drinking whisky
with another. and your son will marry
the daughter Of third You will for
get all about the people. Your paper
will become decadent and feeble. The
circulation will dry up" He paused
for breath ana added waruingly in
strong tones. THE Advance is now ut
its zenith. but its decline begins the
very day that you are elected to the
Oak Door club"
Nolan reached over and seized Brand
by the shoulder
wheeler, you're n decent sort Of a
fellow | like YOU and the things
you've made the paper stand for, but
you don't know what il means to put
people that YOU love ON the altar and
cause them suffering for the sake of
these-these general principles"
Don't L." exclaimed the young ed
itor Wei. that's exactly what I've
done | gave mp the girl ! loved, who
had promised TO be my wife. 50 that |
might write the truth" In spite Of
the emotion which his words had
aroused in him Brands voice never
faitercd rs he spoke
you did" exclaimed Nolan amazed
ly. "Well, my boy, | don't understand
you | couldn't do that" he confessed.
Don't think that 1t was easy lea
me TO do I've thought OF her every
hour OF every day since. bur she low
his voice wavered-" well, she's forgot
ten, so it doesn't IIatter Mr. Moan.
do you remember what it WAS that
first brought us together"
Yes; that story about Judge Bartel-
my. and it was a good one. ard YOU We
followed it up With lot OF good ones
since. Why. Wheeler. there amt
man in the country that can work up
series like you can. Rut. do you
know, I'm beginning TO think that the
judge is not all bad. Mind you, | III
not forgetting Old scores. but'-he
seated hIlnSelt-"d'id YOU ever lnInE or
il, perhaps we haven't all the facts OF
that affair: Some things have hap
pened Are you sure that he's so all
fired wrong|
Mr. Nolan, the half hasn't been told
about Judge Bartelmy" cried Brand.
We'll. this is getting TO be a pretty
serious affair. We can't be too sure
about our facts.
MIR. Nolan. Judge Bartelmy is not
only dishonest Judge. but ne seems
TO have a destructive influence on
every one near him. Hes corrupt ana
corrupting. not only in his public but
in his private life"
Wasn't wasn't it his daughter that
you were engaged to-?
Yes, ii was, aud he's using her just
as be did her mother before ner'
"You amaze me. What do you
mean?
Brand took a deep breath.
Why. surrounded her mother
With machine politicians and shady
financiers and crooked lawyers. He
sent her 10 the state capital when he
wanted 10 be senator. but IL WAS i'm
possible; 10 Washington when he want
ed TO be minister to France. and she
failed. and again when be wanted to-
be judge. and she succeeded. and when
she found out that he was using his
OiuCt W Slt'ul uDu ludt SUE udu
only been a lobbyist for his rotten
schemes
"Well?
"Well. 1t killed her, Mr.. Nolan. and
now he's using his daughter in the
same way. He's filling his house with
corpora ton jackals like Dupuy. He
sends her here to muZzle you by work
ing on your wife and daughter. He
hates me. but he would let her marry
me to have his enemy in the family
and make him silent"
why don't you 20 to the girl and
tell herr" suggested the newspaper
owner.
about her mother and why she
died?'
well. perhaps not. But ! hope you
won't follow the Bartelmy story any
further. I'll be just as we'll pleased"
I've got 10 follow IL. Mr.. Nolan.
can't STOP" CALCULATED Brand. I've
got the goods on him now. I've got a
story that will drive him of the bench
when we print H."
What" half rising.